Blu-ray Review: SAKRA

Home » Blu-ray Review: SAKRA

Jun 11, 2023 Posted by Kyle Nolan in DVD/Blu-ray, Reviews | Comments

Adapted from Jin Yong’s wuxia novel “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils”, and set in the early Northern Song Dynasty, Sakra tells the story of Qiao Feng (Donnie Yen), a well-respected martial artist and leader of the Beggar Gang, who soon finds himself an outcast, accused of being a murderer and a traitor, and even having his nationality questioned. His people have stripped him of his leadership role and have exiled him, and the window of his supposed victim/friend is calling for his execution. Qiao Feng goes on a journey to prove his innocence, learn the truth about his origins, and clear his name. However, forces are working in the shadows to further frame Qiao Feng, with more bodies piling up, seeming at his hands. One person who can help prove his innocence is the beautiful master-of-disguise A Zhu (Yuqi Chen), but she has been injured and the only person who can help her is Doctor Xue (Cheung-Yan Yuen)—who now sees Qiao Feng as public enemy number one. Qiao Feng just wants to clear his name, and then leave Jiang Hu to raise cattle in the countryside with A Zhu, but that is easier said than done. He may need to single-handedly take on an army before all of this is over.

Sakra, which marks the directorial return of Donnie Yen, is part love story, part action-packed martial-arts spectacle (with lots of fantastic wire work), and epic in scope. It is based on a story that most Chinese audiences would be very familiar with (as Yen notes in the behind-the-scenes featurette), however, Western audiences may not be as familiar. The original novel is vast, and Qiao Feng’s story is just one small piece in the middle. At times, it felt like this film was giving more of a Cliff’s Notes version of the tale, assuming that the audience has some prior knowledge of the characters and backstory to help fill in the blanks. Because of this, I found the plot to be a little overly-complex and hard to follow at some points, with characters popping up here and there with little introduction, or assumed knowledge of the various dynasties and warring factions. It’s not just Qiao Feng pitted against his former countrymen, but there are also these God-like forces at work trying to manipulate the situation and bring about the return of another powerful dynasty.

However, at the core of the film is this man’s quest to prove his innocence, uncover his mysterious past, and save the woman he loves. Donnie Yen is in top form, delivering on not only the more dramatic side of his character, but also giving us some amazing action and martial arts scenes. The film features a very different style of fighting from the Ip Man movies, but Yen still excels—whether Qiao Feng is facing just one attacker, or a whole hoard. Qiao Feng has this special move he has mastered, The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, in which he summons a powerful wind from his hands that can thrust an enemy across the room or even kill them on the spot. The film takes the viewer on an exciting, emotional, and action-packed journey with Qiao Feng. The last 10 or so minutes of Sakra feel like set-up for a follow-up film set in this universe, but I would certainly welcome seeing more of Yen’s work, both in front of and behind the camera.

Well Go’s Blu-ray release for the most part looks excellent, with a clean, clear picture throughout. The level of detail in close-ups of faces was fantastic. However, there were a couple of brief moments during some of the early fast-paced action sequences where some artifacting could be seen. The disc includes a Dolby Atmos Cantonese track as well as 5.1 DTS-HDMA Mandarin and English dubs. The Atmos track has a slightly fuller and louder sound, giving a slightly more immersive feel, but all three tracks sound excellent overall. The surround channel is well-utilized—whether it be the sound of rain overhead, or just putting the viewer right in the middle of all the action. The English dub track is well-acted, and the dialogue is nearly identical to that offered in the English subtitles. The film’s wonderful score is reminiscent of a classic Western movie, which is fitting as Qiao Feng is like a lone sword-slinger out for justice.

In addition to the film, Well Go’s Blu-ray includes a 6-minuute Making-Of featurette as well as the film’s trailer and some previews for three other Well Go releases. The disc comes packed in a locking HD keepcase, and doesn’t include a digital copy. Our review copy did not include a slipcover.

What’s Included:

Film: (2:10:27)

1080p / Widescreen 2.39:1
Audio: Cantonese Dolby Atmos in Dolby TrueHD, Cantonese Stereo, Mandarin DTS-HDMA 5.1, Mandarin Stereo, English DTS-HDMA 5.1, English Stereo
Subtitles: English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)

Extras:

Making Of (5:43)
Director/star Donnie Yen (“Qiao Feng”) and other members of the cast and crew discuss the challenges of adapting Jin Yong’s novels, making the characters and film feel real like a historical drama but also for a more modern, younger audience, combining the Jin Yong style of martial arts with Donnie Yen’s style, working with the director, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with stars Wu Yue (“Murong Fu”), Chen Yuqi (“Azhu”), Cya Liu (“Azi”) &Wai Ying Hung (“Ruan Xingzhu”), and producer Wong Jing. Presented with English subtitles.
Trailer (2:15)
Previews
- Young Ip Man (1:39)
- Fist of the Condor (2:06)
- Code of the Assassins (1:31)

Final Thoughts:

My Rating

Film:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Recommended

Sakra mixes action, mystery, love story and martial arts for another entertaining Donnie Yen film. At times, the story can get a bit overly-complex and assumes some prior knowledge of the source material, but this didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the film. Well Go’s Blu-ray release looks and sounds great, and even includes a short behind-the-scenes featurette. Recommended for Yen fans, or fans of the genre.