Read our full review of the film BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS – WIND RISES IN THE DESERT HERE. This is a small excerpt from the review.
At 2 hours and 6 minutes, the runtime allows the story to unfold with scale and ambition while still maintaining momentum through action and suspense. It’s the kind of film that reminds audiences why martial arts cinema remains one of the most exciting genres in the world.
Ultimately, Blades of the Guardians is one of the most impressive and best-crafted martial arts films in many years. With stunning visuals, expertly choreographed combat, and performances that elevate the material, it feels like an instant modern classic. For fans of Asian cinema, action filmmaking, or traditional wuxia storytelling, this is essential viewing.
Movie rating: 10/10
Video Review
The video quality on the BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS – WIND RISES IN THE DESERT disc is outstanding, with no noticeable pixelation or major issues throughout the film. One thing Well Go USA Entertainment always seems to do to perfection is the video quality on its physical disc releases, and this release is no exception.
I viewed the film both with Dolby Vision, which the disc offers, and with Dolby Vision turned off, and both results were exemplary. Of course, most people with a Dolby Vision setup are going to take advantage of it, but it’s worth noting that even without Dolby Vision, the picture quality remains excellent, with minimal blur, clouding, or distortion.
The blacks are deep and remain clean without bleeding into the rest of the picture, even during the darker scenes. The overall image is sharp, detailed, and gives the film the visual presentation it deserves.
Video Rating: 5/5 Ultra HD 4/5 Blu-ray
Blades of the Guardians
- Director: Yuen Woo-ping
- Starring: Wu Jing, Nicholas Tse Ting-Fung, Chen Lijun, Yu Shi, Sun Yizhou, Li Yunxiao, Ju Qianlang, Ci Sha
- Genre: Action, Adventure
- Runtime: 126 mins
- User Rating: ★ 8.2
Audio Review
There are three audio streams included: English, Spanish, and Mandarin, with DTS-HD and Dolby Atmos options available.
For me, the best results came from Dolby Atmos, as the sound surrounds you and makes excellent use of each channel. The action sequences were especially fun with Atmos, as the sound really bangs when the fighting gets going.
DTS-HD was also a very close second, but I found the audio to be a little muddled during some of the action sequences. Nothing too extreme, but it was a noticeable difference when compared to the Atmos track.
Both formats are excellent choices for a home theatre setup, although a dedicated speaker system will, of course, deliver better results than a soundbar.
Audio Rating: 4/5
Special Features
The Ultra HD version of the disc has no special features, but the Blu-ray disc offers some very exhilarating extras which include:
The essence of Wuxia -Through interviews with director Yuen Woo-ping, Jet Li and other cast members, this extra talks about the history of Wuxia in Asian cinema. There is alot of behind the scenes shots that show off just how difficult some of the action and stunts were to film.
Those who ascend the Mountain – Yuen Woo-ping talks about how he chose the cast for this film and how they were chosen for their expertise in certain areas. The cast shares their experiences in preparing for the film and how demanding some of the action scenes were.
The Guardian squad – This feature discuses the 7 member Guardian squad in the film. It talks about their strengths and expertise.
The Return – Cast members talk about what it’s like to work with legendary director Yuen Woo-ping. With over 50 movies and at 80 years old he also explains how he still has a passion for martial arts.
Special Features Rating: 4/5
As with many of the Well Go USA Entertainment disc releases of Asian films, there are no special features included with this release.
Personally, I would have liked to see Yuen Woo-ping in action directing some of the film. I also would have loved to see some behind-the-scenes footage of Jet Li on set. That said, neither is a deal breaker for me because the movie itself is the star here.
Blu-ray Included
The Blu-ray disc is included with the 4K Ultra HD release, and it offers another great viewing experience. The Blu-ray version also delivers a quality audio and video presentation, making it a nice addition for anyone who doesn’t have a 4K setup or simply wants another viewing option.
Final Thoughts
Well Go USA Entertainment has another solid 4K release to add to home video collections. BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS – WIND RISES IN THE DESERT is fast-paced, packed with action, and features some great performances.
Yuen Woo-ping shows once again why he has been involved with so many classic films over the years, and he has another hit on his hands here. It was also great to see Jet Li back on screen again, even if his appearance was only for a few minutes.
BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS – WIND RISES IN THE DESERT on 4K Ultra HD offers a top-notch audio and video experience. Even if you are only viewing the included Blu-ray disc, you are still getting a very impressive presentation of this action-packed martial arts film.
Overall Release Score: 10/10
Digital version available now 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo pack and DVD available October 6
