Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In - 4K Blu-ray Review

Michael Scott

Moderator / Reviewer
Staff member
Thread Starter
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Posts
5,541
Location
Arizona
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Yamaha TRS-7850 Atmos Receiver
Other Amp
Peavy IPR 3000 for subs
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB820 4K UHD Player
Front Speakers
Cheap Thrills Mains
Center Channel Speaker
Cheap Thrills Center
Surround Speakers
Volt 10 Surrounds
Surround Back Speakers
Volt 10 Rear Surrounds
Rear Height Speakers
Volt 6 Overheads
Subwoofers
2x Marty subs (full size with SI 18's)
Video Display Device
Sony 85 inch X950H FALD TV
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In


front.jpg
Movie: :4.5stars:
4K Video: :4.5stars:
Video:
Audio: :4.5stars:
Extras: :2stars:
Final Score: :4stars:




AV NIRVANA is member and reader-supported. When you purchase an item using our links, we might earn an affiliate commission.


1.jpg
Movie

As many of you know, I’m a HUGE fan of old school 1980s and 90s Hong Kong films. I grew up watching the classic chop socky of the 1960s and 70s Shaw Brothers films as a young kid, but came into my own teenage “awakening” with the rise of the 80s and 90s Hong Kong action flicks with Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan, Yuen Woo Ping, Sammo Hung, Corey Yuen, and Maggie Cheung. Those horribly crappy action movies with a paper thing plot, over the top action, and silly effects, all over shadowed by the INCREDIBLE stunt work and martial arts prowess of the time period. Back then Hong Kong action cinema was revered with near god like adoration, and many of the legendary action directors that we know in Hollywood either moved FROM Hong Kong, or literally had their entire film making style mirrored from their martial arts heroes in the orient.

Sadly Hong Kong cinema is no more, or at least heavily castrated compared to what they were decades ago (happening after the re-acquisition from mainland China), being relegated to 2nd tier status in the Asian action world. Now South Korea reigns supreme, but there are still glimpses of hope from Hong Kong. But at the same time, I’ve been burned time and time again with promises of “oh this will totally be as great as what we did 30 years ago!” only to be disappointed time and time again. The early 2000s had a smattering of god films like Dragon Tiger Gate and other Nicolas Tse related films, but recently we’ve had to move on to Korea to get our action fix. HOWEVER, Vis a Vis, concordently, Twilight of the Warriors Walled In seemed to have more than empty promises behind it. Wilson Yip was supposedly producing, Louis Koo was taking front seat, and there were a LOT of people overseas telling people that they better watch out for this one. I took that with a grain of salt, but after it released here in the states at the tail end of the summer I was hearing NOTHING but rave reviews. Still, I’m a cynical old action junkie and have heard early ravings fizzle out before, but I was still holding out hope and I’m REALLY glad I did hold onto the last vestiges of my childlike hope, cuz it paid off…..big time.

Based upon Manhua comic “City of Darkness”, Twilight of the warriors Walled In comes to use after languishing in production hell for over a decade. Rumors had swirled around for years in the early 2010s that it was coming out with Donnie Yen as the star, only for things to fizzle out and rumors to settle down until a few years ago. Now it was rumored to be starring a much younger cast as the leads, and getting a TON of money being thrown at it. The film pays homage to the infamous Kowloon walled in city that was demolished back in the early 90s, taking us back to the late 80s where triad mobster ruled Hong Kong. Years ago the gang wars were vicious and violent, with mobsters killing rival gangs with impunity, until a single boss by the name of Cyclone (Louis Koo) killed the most violent of the bosses named Jim (Aaron Kwok). After that the triads settled down and segregated the area off, leaving Cyclone in charge of the run down Kowloon Walled City (a lawless multi tiered enclave within the greater Kowloon area).

2.jpg
Leaping forward several decades, we’re now in the late 80s where a young orphan by the name of Lok-kwan Chan (Raymond Lam Baby Blues) is desperately trying to earn enough money to get a fake ID so he can get out of Kowloon. After getting scammed by the scummy triad boss Mr. Big (Sammo Hung), Lok-kwan steals a bag of dope from Mr. Big and takes refuge in the infamous walled city. There Cyclone takes pity on the kid and takes him in, allowing him to work in the city to pay for his crime of encroaching on his turf. But under the surface is a secret that spans back decades. You see, the murderous Jim was not just killed because he was out of control, but because he murdered the wife and child of one of the elder crime lords Chau (Richie Chen), and Cyclone did what he had to do to keep the peace. Chau himself has been searching for Jim’s wife and child to take and eye for an eye, only for it to come to light that Lok-kwan IS the lost child that he’s been looking for. Now it’s an all out war as Chau wants a piece of Lok-kwan, and the rest triads realize that they can move in and take what they want during the chaos. Now it’s brother against brother, triad against triad, and only a few are going to come out alive.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Twilight of the Warriors Walled In actually DOES feel like a 1990s action film. Not 100%, but so close that I felt like I was a kid again. The main story line is absolute trash (just like the 90s Hong Kong films) and is almost superfluous in the grand scheme of things, so go in knowing that it’s going to be silly (not comedic wise), goofy and sort of sloppy in the narrative. Things are telegraphed a mile away that Lok-kwan is somebody that’s going to be super important, and the reveal about his parentage is seen coming a mile away as well. But who cares, the whole point of the movie is ambiance and to set up some incredible martial arts scenes, and we all know it. Luckily for us the fight scenes are jaw dropping. I haven’t seen this sort of martial arts gonzo assualt since I was a kid (I think Dragon Tiger Gate was the last time I saw something this crazy), with brutal multi person fight scenes and stunts that only Hong Kong can pull off. Punches, kicks, Wuxia, comic book elements, and some hilarious over acting make this is a gem that I can not get enough of.

The third act takes a right angle twist that I actually didn’t see coming, and completely changes the tone of the movie. Not a horrible thing, but it felt a bit weird and some of the previous plot points made LESS impact as a result. But the big shift was not only the switch up of villains, but the addition of Wuxia wire work for the fights, and Dragon Tiger Gate superhero powers get integrated as well. I admit to feeling a bit weirded out for the first couple of minutes, but then the silly gets absorbed back into the rest of the action and you just roll with it.




Rating:

Rated R for violence throughout, language and some drug content.




4K Video: :4.5stars: Video:
3.jpg
Shot on Arri Alexa based cameras with a 4.5K resolution base, the digital intermediate master for the home video release was stuck at 2K instead of a native 4K. That little eyebrow raise aside, the 4K UHD upscale actually looks really good. Well Go USA has given the film a very health bitrate (it fluctuates a lot, but I saw several times where it broke 100 mbps) and the end result is really good. The entire city is drowned in murky blacks, grimy back alleys, and shadowy confrontations, so black levels are supreme here. Shadow details are actually quite good, and I didn’t notice any banding going on (for a Well Go USA release that is high praise!). I did notice some crush here and there, but overall not so much. Colors are bright and pop when needed, with ambers and browns dominating the “outside the walled city” sequences with Mr. Big and the other Triad bosses. Visually, this is a treat, but I did notice some CGI effects and set pieces that sort of took me out of it at times. Still, a great looking image for a 4K upscale.







Audio: :4.5stars:
4.jpg
Weirdly, we get two nearly identical object based tracks for the main Cantonese language track. One in Dolby Atmos and the other in DTS:X. Comparing the two side by side they’re not that different, with just slight tweaks in level adjustment and a few effects sounding different. Personally I stick with Atmos because DTS:X has fallen by the wayside and more and more receivers do better with Atmos, but that’s simply personal taste and either track will do fine. We have a brand new dub made specifically for the U.S. release from a few months back, but it’s given a 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix and is not as good in both voice acting AND dynamics as the Atmos track.

This is a rich and full figured track, taking full advantage of heights and surrounds with the near non stop chaos of fisticuffs. Bass is powerful and deep, slamming you in the chest when Cyclone slams someone through a stone wall, or the thud thud thud of 7.62x39 rounds as King maniacally shoots up the place with akimbo AK-47s. Dialog is clean and loaded up front like expected, and the dynamics are superb. The mix can jump from a quiet conversation to battle roars and massive impacts in a matter of seconds, and the immersion levels are off the charts. My entire room felt like it was caving in during the final assault on the walled city, complete with pants flapping bass and general mayhem form the battles.




Extras: :2stars:
5.jpg
Behind-the-scenes content
• Cast interviews
• Making-of featurette









Final Score: :4stars:


I haven’t had this much fun with a Hong Kong action movie since probably the original SPL with Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung. It’s over the top silly, has a paper thin plot that really is there to set up more fight scenes, and is just chock full of INCREDIBLE martial arts prowess. If I had any small complaints to levy against the film it’s that Sammo Hung’s fights were obviously supplemented by a stunt double (I don’t blame him, dude is his 70s and has certainly paid his action dues in spades over the last 50 years) and there were more quick cuts than I’d like. The sheer amount of martial arts talent on screen would have been better served with more wide angle, single cut scenes, but it’s not horrible at all. Just enough to where I noticed and said to myself “cut less, show more”. But at the end of the day this is a BLAST from the past that made me feel like I was watching Jalal Merhi and Billy Blanks movies on a weekend with my older brothers back in the 90s, or watching old 80s Cynthia Rothrock and Corey Yuen films on late night TV. The 4K UHD from Well Go USA looks and sounds fantastic, and I’m REALLY hoping that the rumors are true that this was just the 1st film in a planned trilogy. Highly recommended for anyone who loves classic Hong Kong action flicks

PSA: my 4.5/5 rating is graded on a curve, as I’m not trying to compare this to something like The Godfather or On the Waterfront. This is a film for those of us who loved those gawd awful 80s and 90s flicks with bad acting, cheap set designs, but absolutely incredible stunts and martial arts prowess of days LONG gone thanks to CGI, lawyers, insurance, and Super Hero films.


Technical Specifications:

Starring: Louis Koo, Sammo Hung, Richie Chen, Raymond Lma, Philip Ng
Directed by: Soi Cheang
Written by: Kin-Yee Au, Tai-Lee Chan, Li Jun
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 HEVC
Audio: Cantonese: Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core), Cantonese DTS:X, English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, German
Studio: Well Go USA
Rated: R
Runtime: 126 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: November 19th 2024
image.png





Recommendation: Great Watch

 
Last edited:

Sonnie Parker

Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
5,862
Location
Alabama
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
Main Amp
McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
Additional Amp
StormAudio PA 16 MK3
Music Server
ROON Nucleus One
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player
Streaming Equipment
Kaleidescape
Lenovo X1 Carbon
Apple TV 4K
FireCube 3
Streaming Subscriptions
Lifetime Roon Subscription
Tidal
qobuz
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Other Equipment
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Zero Surge 2R20W
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Surround Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Middle Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivators - 4000ULF-TL x2 + 2400 x6
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
Remote Control
AVA Cinema
Cables
AudioQuest - Various
THX PixelGen HDMI
Pangea Power Cables
Custom Cables
Satellite System
Dish Joey 4K
Network/Internet
C-Spire 1Gig Fiber
Omada OC300 Controller
Omada ER8411 10G Router
Omada SG3218XP-M2 10G/2.5G Managed Switch
Omada SG2210XMP-M2 10G/2.5G Managed Switch
SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro (for Nucleus One)
Other Equipment
Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
Headphones/IEMs
HIFIMAN HE1000se
Unique Melody Mest MKII
Headphone DAC/Amp
Eversolo DMP-A6
RME ADI-2 DAC FS
HIFIMAN Goldenwave Serenade
Whole House System
HEOS System
Home-150 Speaker x6
Samsung S9 Tablet w/ HEOS
Office/Study System
Office System
Dell Precision Computer
Roon Networked
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus Speakers
Secondary/Additional Room System
AV Test Room System
NAD M33 Streaming DAC Amp
MartinLogan Motion XT F200
JTR Captivator RS1
miniDSP EARS
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Zero Surge 2R20W
Dell Optiplex
Roon Networked
Secondary/Additional Room System
Sunroom System
Denon AVR-X1800H HEOS Receiver
Soundfield Custom Speakers
Dayton Audio IO8XTW Outdoor Speakers
Roon Networked
Dish Joey
JVC 37" TV
Secondary/Additional Room System
Cabin System
Onkyo TX-SR805 Receiver
Infinity Primus P163 Speakers
RSL Outsiders Outdoor Speakers
Shield TV Pro
Sony 55" TV
Secondary/Additional Room System
Vinyl Room
Accuphase E-280 Integrated Amp
Technics SL-1210GR2 Turntable
Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge
KLH Model Three Speakers
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
I have to admit that taking the guy down and then catching his cigarette was pretty impressive. It was faster than Superman. However, stopping a sword coming at your head with your teeth... whoa nelly! :blink:
 

Michael Scott

Moderator / Reviewer
Staff member
Thread Starter
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Posts
5,541
Location
Arizona
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Yamaha TRS-7850 Atmos Receiver
Other Amp
Peavy IPR 3000 for subs
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB820 4K UHD Player
Front Speakers
Cheap Thrills Mains
Center Channel Speaker
Cheap Thrills Center
Surround Speakers
Volt 10 Surrounds
Surround Back Speakers
Volt 10 Rear Surrounds
Rear Height Speakers
Volt 6 Overheads
Subwoofers
2x Marty subs (full size with SI 18's)
Video Display Device
Sony 85 inch X950H FALD TV
I have to admit that taking the guy down and then catching his cigarette was pretty impressive. It was faster than Superman. However, stopping a sword coming at your head with your teeth... whoa nelly! :blink:

yeah, Louis Koo still has that style after so many years. one of the great "olden days" actors
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Posts
9,848
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
DAC
THX ONYX
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Spotify
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Surround Back Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
Quad Array SVS SB16s
Other Speakers
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Video Display Device
JVC NZ8
Other Equipment
Sony 65-inch A95L OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
I have to admit that taking the guy down and then catching his cigarette was pretty impressive. It was faster than Superman. However, stopping a sword coming at your head with your teeth... whoa nelly! :blink:


I taught them that.


Yes, both moves. :T
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Posts
9,848
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
DAC
THX ONYX
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Spotify
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Surround Back Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
Quad Array SVS SB16s
Other Speakers
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Video Display Device
JVC NZ8
Other Equipment
Sony 65-inch A95L OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
I'm going to ask Santa to deliver this to my stocking!
 

Sonnie Parker

Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
5,862
Location
Alabama
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
Main Amp
McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
Additional Amp
StormAudio PA 16 MK3
Music Server
ROON Nucleus One
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player
Streaming Equipment
Kaleidescape
Lenovo X1 Carbon
Apple TV 4K
FireCube 3
Streaming Subscriptions
Lifetime Roon Subscription
Tidal
qobuz
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Other Equipment
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Zero Surge 2R20W
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Surround Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Middle Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivators - 4000ULF-TL x2 + 2400 x6
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
Remote Control
AVA Cinema
Cables
AudioQuest - Various
THX PixelGen HDMI
Pangea Power Cables
Custom Cables
Satellite System
Dish Joey 4K
Network/Internet
C-Spire 1Gig Fiber
Omada OC300 Controller
Omada ER8411 10G Router
Omada SG3218XP-M2 10G/2.5G Managed Switch
Omada SG2210XMP-M2 10G/2.5G Managed Switch
SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro (for Nucleus One)
Other Equipment
Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
Headphones/IEMs
HIFIMAN HE1000se
Unique Melody Mest MKII
Headphone DAC/Amp
Eversolo DMP-A6
RME ADI-2 DAC FS
HIFIMAN Goldenwave Serenade
Whole House System
HEOS System
Home-150 Speaker x6
Samsung S9 Tablet w/ HEOS
Office/Study System
Office System
Dell Precision Computer
Roon Networked
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus Speakers
Secondary/Additional Room System
AV Test Room System
NAD M33 Streaming DAC Amp
MartinLogan Motion XT F200
JTR Captivator RS1
miniDSP EARS
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Zero Surge 2R20W
Dell Optiplex
Roon Networked
Secondary/Additional Room System
Sunroom System
Denon AVR-X1800H HEOS Receiver
Soundfield Custom Speakers
Dayton Audio IO8XTW Outdoor Speakers
Roon Networked
Dish Joey
JVC 37" TV
Secondary/Additional Room System
Cabin System
Onkyo TX-SR805 Receiver
Infinity Primus P163 Speakers
RSL Outsiders Outdoor Speakers
Shield TV Pro
Sony 55" TV
Secondary/Additional Room System
Vinyl Room
Accuphase E-280 Integrated Amp
Technics SL-1210GR2 Turntable
Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge
KLH Model Three Speakers
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
I taught them that.


Yes, both moves. :T
I have always been confident that you would remember well what I taught you, young warrior. Stay strong! :flex:
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Posts
9,848
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
DAC
THX ONYX
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Spotify
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Surround Back Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
Quad Array SVS SB16s
Other Speakers
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Video Display Device
JVC NZ8
Other Equipment
Sony 65-inch A95L OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
Hahaha... will never let you down!
 
Top Bottom