- Actors: Carina Lau, Feng Shaofeng, Mark Chao
- Director: Tsui Hark
- Format: Color, Dolby, Widescreen
- Language: Mandarin Chinese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Mandarin Chinese (DTS 5.1)
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region A/1
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 2
- Rated: Not Rated
- Studio: Well Go USA
- Release Date: November 13, 2018
- Run Time: 132 minutes
Based on the
Chinese folk hero Di Renjie (known as Judge Dee in a series of western mystery
novels), Detective Dee was clearly intended as an Eastern Sherlock Holmes in
the franchise’s earlier installments. While there are still some mysteries for
Dee to solve in The Four Heavenly Kings,
emphasis has shifted more on the supernatural and the martial arts instead. Although
the original film may have had some basis in reality, by now the film series is
simply choosing the stories that will be most cinematic, especially when considering
what will provide the most special effects and mindless entertainment.
Even before the
first Detective Dee film was released, there were plans to make a sequel. Without
Andy Lau returning as the aged Detective Dee, the sequel became a prequel and
was titled Young Detective Dee with
Mark Chao standing in as the iconic character. Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings is a direct sequel to that
prequel, still starring Chao and taking place immediately following the last
film. But despite the returning characters and continuation of the timeline,
the latest installment allows the mystery narrative to be replaced by an increase
in fight sequences and special effects.
After the
success found in the mystery of the prequel, Detective Dee has been made the
head of the Bureau of Investigation in Tang Dynasty China, as well as being
given the responsibility to care for the Dragon Taming Mace, a weapon with such
immense powers that many unsavory characters begin a ploy to possess it by any
means necessary. Part of the reason that the mace is desired is to prove Dee’s
inadequacy at the head of the Bureau so that the Empress (Carina Lau) can have
complete control for herself. Dee must navigate through conspiracies to frame
him and other plots to take him out, often increasing the screen time for
everyone but the title character.
The empress
instructs one of the members of the royal guard (Feng Shaofeng) to steal the
mace from Dee in order to prove his inadequacies, but is unaware that there are
clans of wizards attempting to steal the mace for their own motives to tear
down the Tang Dynasty. This is primarily done by creating illusions to
disorient members of the guard and the Bureau alike. The wizards force visions
of creatures and monsters into the mind of their enemies, but it primarily feels
like an excuse to cram as many special effects into the film as possible.
Released in Imax and in 3D, visual spectacle clearly takes focus over narrative
or logic. In theaters this may have been an easier shortcoming to forgive, but the
decrease in an intelligent mystery or emphasis on character development leave
this sequel feeling flat on a small screen.
The Blu-ray
release of Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly
Kings comes with a DVD copy of the film, but there are no real special
features on either of the discs. The only extras are a few trailers for other Well
Go USA releases. The visuals look great on Blu-ray, even without the 3D that
clearly enhanced the film in theaters.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6.5/10
Historical
Significance: 5/10
Special Features: 2/10
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