Packaging Spotlight 034: Confucius From FUNimation
FUNimation's release of Confucius hits retailers today, March 27, in both standard DVD and Blu-ray + DVD combo pack editions. The biopic stars action favorite Chow Yun Fat (A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard Boiled) in the titular role and also features performances from a number of other familiar faces, like Zhou Xun (Perhaps Love, The Banquet/Legend of the Black Scorpion).
This is by no means the "battlefield epic" the back of the box would like us to believe, but if you're into good looking film, Confucius is an extremely well shot movie, with some truly gorgeous footage thanks to cinematographer Peter Pau (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).
What I did really enjoy about FUNi's release were the 60 minutes of fully-subbed behind the scenes featurettes included as a "Making Of Gallery" on both the DVD and BD + DVD combo pack. My favorite of the clips give us the chance to see Chow Yun Fat's lighter side, where he cracks jokes and messes about with the cast and crew between takes - definitely a treat for those of us tuning in primarily to see him. Other featurettes also offer insight into Zhou Xun's much debated Nanzi character and the war-time special effects. All were interesting and definitely made me think about going back to revisit select scenes from the movie just so I could have the chance to review elements I might have missed the first time around.
Confucius
More photos ahead...
The outer slipcover is identical to Blu-ray insert within, but it's always nice to have a little extra packaging, I think.
Chow Yun Fat x2!
This mini-poster on the reverse side to the Blu-ray insert was a pleasant little surprise.
So who should pick this one up? I'd say first and foremost, pick it up if you're a Chow Yun Fat fan. He's in practically every scene, and he's as magnetic (in an appropriate way) onscreen as ever. Additionally, give it a try if you're a fan of Peter Pau's work and just really want to enjoy a good looking movie.
Special Features:
"From Chow Yun-fat to Confucius" featurette
"A Woman, A Bosom Friend" featurette
"Chaotic Period of Spring and Autumn" featurette
From Chow Yun-fat to Confucius Special Edition" featurette
"The Politicians" featurette
"Animal Stars" featurette
"Progressing in the Snow" featurette
"The Warfare" featurette
Original Trailer
Previews
Specs:
U.S. Region 1, NTSC / Region A & B, NTSC
FUNimation
$24.98, SRP
1 DVD / 1 Blu-ray
125 minutes, plus 60 minutes for special features
16:9, anamorphic widescreen
Mandarin audio, English audio
English subtitles
Trailer:
Back of the box:
Screen legend Chow Yun-fat stars as Confucius in the inspiring, action-packed saga of a leader whose wisdom and cunning were more powerful than any sword. In this sweeping battlefield epic, Confucius finds his land threatened by the fires of war. After leading the nation’s most powerful army to victory against hordes of invaders, the new hero finds even greater danger in the jealous eyes of the aristocrats he fought to protect. From the Producer of John Woo’s Red Cliff and Jet Li’s Warlords, and captured on film by Oscar®-winning Director of Photography Peter Pau (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Chow Yun-fat delivers the award-nominated performance of a lifetime as a teacher, a military leader, and a legend in Confucius.
A review copy of this Blu-ray + DVD combo pack was provided by FUNimation.
Not sure where to shop? Trying to avoid bootlegs? Check out my retailers page to get the skinny on reliable online stores out there!
This is by no means the "battlefield epic" the back of the box would like us to believe, but if you're into good looking film, Confucius is an extremely well shot movie, with some truly gorgeous footage thanks to cinematographer Peter Pau (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).
What I did really enjoy about FUNi's release were the 60 minutes of fully-subbed behind the scenes featurettes included as a "Making Of Gallery" on both the DVD and BD + DVD combo pack. My favorite of the clips give us the chance to see Chow Yun Fat's lighter side, where he cracks jokes and messes about with the cast and crew between takes - definitely a treat for those of us tuning in primarily to see him. Other featurettes also offer insight into Zhou Xun's much debated Nanzi character and the war-time special effects. All were interesting and definitely made me think about going back to revisit select scenes from the movie just so I could have the chance to review elements I might have missed the first time around.
Confucius
More photos ahead...
The outer slipcover is identical to Blu-ray insert within, but it's always nice to have a little extra packaging, I think.
Chow Yun Fat x2!
This mini-poster on the reverse side to the Blu-ray insert was a pleasant little surprise.
So who should pick this one up? I'd say first and foremost, pick it up if you're a Chow Yun Fat fan. He's in practically every scene, and he's as magnetic (in an appropriate way) onscreen as ever. Additionally, give it a try if you're a fan of Peter Pau's work and just really want to enjoy a good looking movie.
Special Features:
"From Chow Yun-fat to Confucius" featurette
"A Woman, A Bosom Friend" featurette
"Chaotic Period of Spring and Autumn" featurette
From Chow Yun-fat to Confucius Special Edition" featurette
"The Politicians" featurette
"Animal Stars" featurette
"Progressing in the Snow" featurette
"The Warfare" featurette
Original Trailer
Previews
Specs:
U.S. Region 1, NTSC / Region A & B, NTSC
FUNimation
$24.98, SRP
1 DVD / 1 Blu-ray
125 minutes, plus 60 minutes for special features
16:9, anamorphic widescreen
Mandarin audio, English audio
English subtitles
Trailer:
Click to viewBack of the box:
Screen legend Chow Yun-fat stars as Confucius in the inspiring, action-packed saga of a leader whose wisdom and cunning were more powerful than any sword. In this sweeping battlefield epic, Confucius finds his land threatened by the fires of war. After leading the nation’s most powerful army to victory against hordes of invaders, the new hero finds even greater danger in the jealous eyes of the aristocrats he fought to protect. From the Producer of John Woo’s Red Cliff and Jet Li’s Warlords, and captured on film by Oscar®-winning Director of Photography Peter Pau (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Chow Yun-fat delivers the award-nominated performance of a lifetime as a teacher, a military leader, and a legend in Confucius.
A review copy of this Blu-ray + DVD combo pack was provided by FUNimation.
Not sure where to shop? Trying to avoid bootlegs? Check out my retailers page to get the skinny on reliable online stores out there!