The 14 Amazons - DVD Review

The continuing element of the Shaw Brothers releases on DVD shows a protraction of image with the inset of "The 14 Amazons". Unlike many aspects before where testosterone fully encapsulated the structure of the narrative in terms of its progression, here the estrogen fueled revenge of the House Of Ping proves verifiable from all different angles. This specific outing is significant in its use of historical and blood quotient reference. While other instances including "Invincible Shaolin" used aspects of honor, there seems to be alot more at stake within this story giving it more of an epic feel than others viewed. The sequence of the human bridge specifically sticks out in terms of its plausibility but also interest level because it is quite ingenious (besides being a nod to "Temple Of Doom"). Another paradoxical angle is the fact that the entire cast is led by women who are safeguarding the heir to the family: a male. What moves against it is that the young man is played by a girl pouting and fighting the entire way through the proceedings. The action and anger is palpable especially when the opposing Western Asia oppressors begin slaughtering their slaves, specifically the women loyal to the Ping's cause. The beheadings come rampantly which again is much more visceral in the overall run especially when the gender equation figures in.The final battle which is balanced with the breaking of a dam which undeniably reveals the film's budget lessens a little bit of the blood-soaked endurance of the final moments which oddly bring to mind the multi-level structure of the last act of "Willow". The use of still frames even as the too-red blood paint splotches the screen does enhance the viewing experience despite its obvious pandering. The English dub versus Mandarin subtitles again betray the more sardonic translation references with the Mandarin being more subtle and respectful in terms of honor and use of drink while the English translation is given to aspects of tomfoolery and below-the-belt jokes. The trailers like those on earlier Shaw films seem to stem within certain genres with "Oshi" (with its epic and archetypal scenes) and "Mushi" (with its paranormal bent) being the most intensive. "The 14 Amazons" approaches the genre with much more possibility in terms of true filmmaking versus a genre standard which elevates the brand while making the politics and structure of the timeframe captured seem all the more real. Out of 5, I give it a 2 1/2.