Hu Mei directs screen legend Chow Yun-Fat in Confucius, a biopic of the legendary teachers rise to greatness, vagabond travels, and eventual return to glory. The film is a sweeping epic piece that features massive battles, various atmospheric backdrops, and a considerably great performance from Chow Yun-Fat. Not only did I enjoy it I also found it to be a huge conversation starter between myself and friends. Was Confucius’ life during the run of the film horribly unjust or a sure sign that a man who finds value only in the prosperity and friendship of those around him can endure, with the world as his shelter and the merit of his person just as good as any currency in any situation? Some would argue that a joke between Confucius and his horse in the film would explain it all. I highly suggest checking the film out and finding your own answer.

PICTURE AND AUDIO QUALITY:
While a lot of Confucius looks beautiful the film does have its issues. The most prevalent issue in the film, for me, was a white hue that sometimes popped up on the screen, especially during low lit interior or night time exterior scenes. It also pops up all the way through the closing credits. That was without a doubt the biggest issue I had with the film. Other then that color looks strikingly beautiful. In one scene where we find dancing ladies in red clothing, the red is beautifully vibrant. You can also catch this lovely display of red in the insignia’s of Confucius robes during the first half of the film. FX also look magnificent. In one scene we watch a soldier half lit on fire. If I didn’t know better I would have thought the actor really was on fire, but you can see it’s obviously some sort of CGI trick, but it still looks amazing. Kudos to Mei for tackling the season changes in the film, incorporating a gray backdrop in the snow scenes, heavy green and brown in fall. The film has  a lot going for it, when there is an absence of that annoying white hue. Some of the subtitles that apepear to explain who is who and where we are was a bit tough to read while also watching the film with English subs on.

When I watch anything from Funimation I know I can expect a fantastic audio delivery and they do not fail me with Confucius which is stunning in both the Mandarin 5.1 and English 5.1 deliveries. Lots of full spectrum immersion with rear and background speaker sound, dialogue is amazingly clear. In one scene a little girl wakes to find her mother dead. I had my surround sound system on my preferred volume and I had to quickly turn it down because it sounded so immediate as if a little girl were in my front room screaming her head off. God only knows what my neighbors were thinking at the time. Other then that LFE output is boisterous with big drum sound, rumbling explosions, and wall shaking Calvary horses riding in. Just great stuff.

BONUS FEATURES:
~From Chow Yun-Fat to Confucius: Pretty self explanatory. You also get a few words from the films director.
~A Woman, A Bosom Friend
~Chaotic Period Of Spring and Fall
~The Politicians: I particularly liked this special feature as it looks at the politics of the world at the time that Confucius lived in.
~Animal Stars
~Progressing In The Snow: You have to watch this, especially if you were fascinated by the snow scene in the film. I didn’t quite know what I was looking at and then it hit me. I was pretty impressed.
~The Warfare: Check out just to see some of the green screen stuff.
~Trailer
~Previews
~DVD Version