Review 5. The Big Family

This movie starts off quite nicely with it being the birthday of one of hong kongs most respected familys father. Played by enter the dragon villian Shek Kin. We soon learn of the familys trouble with one son addicted to drugs and the other a trouble causing rebel. Things really kick off when the rebel son beats a top fighter in a tv hosted pre tournament event, meaning that the orangiser has to call the whole thing off, to bad he is also a mob boss.

Soon trouble begins and before long things esculate until the whole family is dragged in, having to be pitted against the mob leaders men in fist fights to the death.

No to bad of a movie with stars like Tino Wong and Bolo adding small roles for this offering from Goldig films. The movies major flaw is that the pacing isn't to quick and this leads to a pretty dry experience through most of the movie. The films does redeam itself in the last 20 odd mintues with what becomes a pretty solid ending. The basher action is swift and heavy, with a final bout against a japanese style fighter in which all the male members of the family fight to bring him down. Quite enjoyable ending aside this film isn't great, but i wouldn't call it a waste of money.

2 out of 5

The dvd i've reviewed is the vengeance video region 0 PAL version.

Picture:

Worn colours and print. Presented in fullscreen aspect ratio cropping is apparent and at times annoying. The darker scenes in the movie are hard to make out with contrast levels being lower than average. Still a watchable movie though.

2 out of 5

Sound:

English dubbed sound option, with all the hiss and pop you would expect, nothing distracting. The first five minutes of the English track are missing, but thankfully vengeance has provide us with well translated subtitles for the begining section of the film. Also included is the full Mandarin track

2 out of 5

Extras:

All thats included are promotional trailers for The Dragons snake fist and Furious Ultimatum, which looks completely kick ass.

1 out of 5

Overall:

Not the best flick you will ever see but basher fans will still get something out of the last 20 mintues.