Shaolin Wooden Men Blu-ray Screenshots (Patreon)

Video

Opening on a pure black stage, the challenging material in Shaolin Wooden Men begins immediately. With black levels not quite black, artifacts tend to fill the screen, usually near the corners. This dark banding isn't a major issue, just the first notable one. After the debacle that was The Killer Meteors disc, this improves - a little.

Note black levels don't better themselves at all. Deep gray is the best they'll achieve. Noisy grain can and will slip those shadows. Filtering is detectable, especially where movement and steam/smoke/dust are concerned. Thankfully, this doesn't destroy detail, rather demolish the highest frequency information. Texture can slip through, generally natural, but with a digital glossiness. Since the scan itself doesn't appear to be the highest resolution (possibly an older HD scan), there's less to lose.

Satisfying contrast helps give Shaolin Wooden Men some depth. Brightness fares better than color anyway, which dilutes and fades. There's little zest to note, greenery rather sad, and flesh tones blah.

Audio

Four (!) DTS-HD mono tracks pop up in the audio menu. One is Mandarin (default), the next an English dub, and two Cantonese tracks, one labeled an alternate but with no explanation. Whatever the choice, it's tough. Fidelity sounds awful with blown out voices and harsh treble, both necessitating a drop in volume to remain tolerable. Add in fight sounds, and the sound wall becomes a genuine problem. Plus, static and popping remain a regular fixture throughout Shaolin Wooden Men. It's a bust.