Plot: What’s it about?
In China, the art of masks is a vital portion of the country’s culture, and a skilled mask craftsman is going to have plenty of admirers. Such is the case with the subject of this movie, who is a true master of everything involved in the artistry of masks. While he is very old, his skills still rise above all others in the craft, but his time is running out, and he has no male heir to pass his gift along to. It seems as though many people are eager to be taught by him, but the mask maker will only pass on his talents to a male heir, as dictated by his culture. With time running out and his beautiful art doomed to die along with him, he decides to purchase an heir, from the black market. The young boy learns quickly, and it seems as though the mask maker’s craft will live on, through this young child. But the master soon learns that he’s not the only good at making disguises, and the bond between the two is endangered.
This is a very well crafted (no pun intended) film, and one of the best foreign films you can find. While the whole concept is pretty predictable, the style choices and acting make the journey to the conclusion worthwhile. The visuals are impressive, with colorful backdrops, scenic pans, and of course, the beauty of the masks themselves. As good as this movie is, I fear most viewers will pass it by, since it contains no dubbed track. While I always prefer the original language track, I can understand how some movie viewers don’t want to read while they watch. But with the film this moving and powerful, I think even those with the deepest hatred for subtitles should check this one out. While the movie is a classic, the disc is no where near that moniker. Columbia, who usually puts the other studios to shame, has issued a below average disc, which is not acceptable. I am very pleased to see the title make the trip to DVD, but I wish Columbia would have given it just a little more attention. As such, I am forced to recommend a rental only, unless you really can’t live without this disc in your library.
Video: How does it look?
The King of Masks is presented in a full frame transfer. Why in the world Columbia, who is usually known for their anamorphic widescreen support, would issue this movie with no widescreen option, I will never know. Even aside from that, little is present to redeem the transfer. Inconsistent contrast levels plague the picture, with some scenes looking like a nuclear bomb is detonating and others that look like total darkness. The image is very soft, and even the colors fail to come across well. Between the pan and scan transfer and blurred detail levels, I am highly disappointed with this issue.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio, on the other hand, is quite good, with a full, although sometimes tinny texture. While background effects seem natural and well placed, the dialogue often sounds metallic, which can be a little distracting. But that aside, the volume is consistent and no separation issues emerge.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The disc includes the theatrical trailer…which is in widescreen. Go figure. Also, the insert booklet contains some production notes.
