There are few comedic superstars anywhere like Stephen Chow. Funny in the way that he transcends languages. Charismatic in that laconic way, his hero Bruce Lee was. Not unwilling to play unlikable or be a dick in a film. Able to be a credible action and dramatic lead in the same film, he’s absolutely. Shaolin Soccer and Kung-Fu Hustle are a one-two punch of the total package in a way we will never see again equal parts funny, badass, and emotional.
King of Beggars has Chow in that very same Superstar form as a bratty, spoiled rich kid who learns to be more and lead a revolt against corrupt politicians. There is always a mean streak to the comedy in Chow’s film (especially those he directed). Though the meanness is meant to endear you to certain characters, which happens here.
The film, like many of Chow’s films, is great at showing a clear and concise arc to his characters. So Chan (Chow) is the worst kind of lazy, shiftless kid, and it’s in those moments where he’s bullied and humiliated that he learns hard life lessons. It isn’t until he hits beyond rock bottom does he starts to change. Even then, King of Beggars shows that he has no idea how to change; he only wants to change. How So Chan goes from spoiled brat to the eventual King of the Beggars clan is as entertaining as ingenious as the action set pieces.
King of Beggars surprises constantly with never being too self-serious with its solutions or messages. Always at the forefront is entertainment, and like all Chow films, this one does so with expert precision.
The Transfer
The new 2K restoration for this film is flawless. The transfer is sharp and without defects. The color reproduction pops off the screen. The image’s slight grain structure ensures the transfer retains that 35mm cinematic look at all times. Bravo to Eureka for their beautiful restoration work on this film.
The Extras
They include the following;
New audio commentary with East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
Kung Fu Scholar: Gordon Chan on King of Beggars
So Chan and Stephen Chow: King of Beggars and its Star
Original theatrical trailer
The all-new audio commentary with East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) opens with his credentials before diving into the film. Some of the details include the literal translation of the title; the release, and the box office success of the film but also how the top five films were all starring Chow; this being the first film mixed and released in Dolby Stereo in Hong Kong; the historical figures and context that the film takes place in; the mixture of Chow’s specific brand of comedy and serious melodrama; a larger discussion of the career and work of director Gordon Chan; a larger discussion through out of the actors who do and do not dub their own voices; a larger discussion of the various bits of comic and how they play for Chinese and word plays that would otherwise not be known to audiences outside of the country; a larger discussion of the various action set pieces and choreography and the style of fight work; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open, you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more.
Kung Fu Scholar: Gordon Chan on King of Beggars (17:59) – is an all-new interview with director Gordon Chan begins with the director discussing how the unique project came to be. Chan goes on to discuss the advice that he took from Director Lau Kar-leung gave him on period pieces; the crew he assembled for the production; why he felt that he and Chow worked so well together, who is a notoriously difficult collaborator; the reason he did not choose to work with Chow again when the offer did come up; and much more. Cantonese with English Subtitles.
So Chan and Stephen Chow: King of Beggars and its Star (30:39) – is an all-new video essay by East Asian cinema scholar Gary Bettinson, co-editor of The Cinema of Stephen Chow. Opening with Chow’s career, Bettinson dives into the varied star vehicles and what makes him a unique superstar of Hong Kong Cinema. Bettinson’s essay does a great job of dissecting Chow’s comedies and their tropes and how they relate to King of Beggars. By using examples from the various Chow’s comedies, Bettinson is able to show how closely this film resembles the best of Chow’s films but also what separates it and makes it unique. The essay is wonderfully edited by Ryan Finnigan, written and narrated by Bettinson, and produced by Grain Ian Mann and Jacob Milligan.
Original theatrical trailer (2:45)
The Final Thought
Eureka Entertainment has done it again, bringing the very best in 90s Hong Kong Action to Blu-ray. Recommended!!!
Stephen Chow is King of Beggars. Eureka Entertainment brings the Hong Kong Action-Comedy Cult Classic to Blu-ray.
The Film
There are few comedic superstars anywhere like Stephen Chow. Funny in the way that he transcends languages. Charismatic in that laconic way, his hero Bruce Lee was. Not unwilling to play unlikable or be a dick in a film. Able to be a credible action and dramatic lead in the same film, he’s absolutely. Shaolin Soccer and Kung-Fu Hustle are a one-two punch of the total package in a way we will never see again equal parts funny, badass, and emotional.
King of Beggars has Chow in that very same Superstar form as a bratty, spoiled rich kid who learns to be more and lead a revolt against corrupt politicians. There is always a mean streak to the comedy in Chow’s film (especially those he directed). Though the meanness is meant to endear you to certain characters, which happens here.
The film, like many of Chow’s films, is great at showing a clear and concise arc to his characters. So Chan (Chow) is the worst kind of lazy, shiftless kid, and it’s in those moments where he’s bullied and humiliated that he learns hard life lessons. It isn’t until he hits beyond rock bottom does he starts to change. Even then, King of Beggars shows that he has no idea how to change; he only wants to change. How So Chan goes from spoiled brat to the eventual King of the Beggars clan is as entertaining as ingenious as the action set pieces.
King of Beggars surprises constantly with never being too self-serious with its solutions or messages. Always at the forefront is entertainment, and like all Chow films, this one does so with expert precision.
The Transfer
The new 2K restoration for this film is flawless. The transfer is sharp and without defects. The color reproduction pops off the screen. The image’s slight grain structure ensures the transfer retains that 35mm cinematic look at all times. Bravo to Eureka for their beautiful restoration work on this film.
The Extras
They include the following;
The all-new audio commentary with East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) opens with his credentials before diving into the film. Some of the details include the literal translation of the title; the release, and the box office success of the film but also how the top five films were all starring Chow; this being the first film mixed and released in Dolby Stereo in Hong Kong; the historical figures and context that the film takes place in; the mixture of Chow’s specific brand of comedy and serious melodrama; a larger discussion of the career and work of director Gordon Chan; a larger discussion through out of the actors who do and do not dub their own voices; a larger discussion of the various bits of comic and how they play for Chinese and word plays that would otherwise not be known to audiences outside of the country; a larger discussion of the various action set pieces and choreography and the style of fight work; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open, you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more.
Kung Fu Scholar: Gordon Chan on King of Beggars (17:59) – is an all-new interview with director Gordon Chan begins with the director discussing how the unique project came to be. Chan goes on to discuss the advice that he took from Director Lau Kar-leung gave him on period pieces; the crew he assembled for the production; why he felt that he and Chow worked so well together, who is a notoriously difficult collaborator; the reason he did not choose to work with Chow again when the offer did come up; and much more. Cantonese with English Subtitles.
So Chan and Stephen Chow: King of Beggars and its Star (30:39) – is an all-new video essay by East Asian cinema scholar Gary Bettinson, co-editor of The Cinema of Stephen Chow. Opening with Chow’s career, Bettinson dives into the varied star vehicles and what makes him a unique superstar of Hong Kong Cinema. Bettinson’s essay does a great job of dissecting Chow’s comedies and their tropes and how they relate to King of Beggars. By using examples from the various Chow’s comedies, Bettinson is able to show how closely this film resembles the best of Chow’s films but also what separates it and makes it unique. The essay is wonderfully edited by Ryan Finnigan, written and narrated by Bettinson, and produced by Grain Ian Mann and Jacob Milligan.
Original theatrical trailer (2:45)
The Final Thought
Eureka Entertainment has done it again, bringing the very best in 90s Hong Kong Action to Blu-ray. Recommended!!!
Eureka Entertainment’s Blu-ray Edition of King of Beggars is out January 27th.
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