Little Big Soldier (2010/Well Go USA Blu-ray w/DVD)

Picture: A-/B-     Sound: B+/B-     Extras: B     Film: B+

 

 

Set in the Warring States Period, after a bloody battle only two opposing soldiers survive: a peasant soldier and a general.  The soldier (Jackie Chan) intends to take his captive, the General (Wang Leehom), home and collect a reward.  The two could be no more opposites than they are, the soldier doesn't care for fighting much less the war and would like no better to work on the farm.  The General on the other hand would have liked to die in an honorable combat.  As they travel together they must not only survive wild animals, dodge enemy soldiers, and brave the elements... the two will have to set aside their differences, and before everything is over they both will learn something from each other in Little Big Soldier.
 
This is a comical movie about a cowardly soldier and 'high and mighty' General as they journey home.  As they bicker, try trip up each other up to gain advantage, the soldier explains to the general how the common soldier wouldn't care about honor or pride, all they want is to survive and go home.  The General on the other hand explains the glory and honor of dying on the battlefield, but as the two survive various pains and hardships (as well as each other) they soon learn if not for the war, maybe they could have been friends… or maybe not!

 
This film was filled with comedy, martial arts, beautiful scenery, and excellent costuming, Jackie Chan portrays a lowly (but funny) soldier with more tricks up his slave than a circus, he survives by constantly playing dead and uses his cunning and wits to trick others, escape bandits, and get out of hairy situations.  It is comical to watch as the two main characters constantly get each other in and out of trouble and how they constantly go from bad to worse.

 

The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image is nicely transferred here and was shot in Super 35mm film format, while the DTS-HD MA Mandarin lossless 5.1 mix is terrific and impresses throughout.  The English version is not as good, of course, but subtitles are here.  Extras include trailers, Jackie Chan music video, making of the film and DVD version that is not as clear, but is still not bad, anamorphically enhanced and with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.

 

 

-   Ricky Chiang