Blu-ray Review – Shawscope Volume 4

      Shawscope Vol. 4.

      Directed by Shan Hua, Meng-Hua Ho, Hsueh-Li Pao, Chih-Hung Kuei, Yuen Chor, Shan Hua, Liu Chia-Yung, Tak-Cheung Tang, Kuen Yeung, and Alex Cheung.

      Featuring Danny Lee, Terry Liu, Bruce Le, Lily Li, Ni Tien, Lo Lieh, Lung Ti, Melvin Wong, James Yi Lui, Lo Meng, Shen Chan, Tony Liu, Jenny Liang, Norman Chu, Yu-Po Liu, David Lo, Ku Feng, Jason Pai Piao, Yung Wang, and Phillip Ko Fai.

      SYNOPSIS:

      The fourth installment in Arrow Video’s comprehensive Shaw Brothers box sets, emphasizing horror, sci-fi, and fantasy.

      Not too long ago, Shaw Brothers films were hard to find in the UK in any decent format. While you could get a DVD of *The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires*—their 1974 vampire/kung-fu crossover with Hammer—other titles were much more elusive unless you were willing to import costly foreign discs. However, thanks to the commitment of various boutique labels to revitalize these films in HD, we now have collections like Arrow’s Shawscope series, which has reached its fourth volume.

      This collection is not without its controversies, as announcements often spark debates among dedicated physical media collectors. The issue arises because some titles have previously been released in Blu-ray by other labels, leading many collectors to already own them. But because this is Arrow Video, these films have undergone restoration with 2K scans and include additional scenes missed in earlier versions, making these releases quite distinct from those already in your collection.

      Kicking off the set is *The Super Inframan* from 1975, a title that has been available before, and what a thrilling start it is. Taking inspiration from the legendary Ultraman, this superhero film plunges straight into action and maintains an exciting pace for the next 90 minutes, featuring the evil Demon Princess Elizebub (Terry Liu) as she awakens to threaten the world, beginning with Hong Kong. This compels scientist Professor Liu Ying-Te to create Inframan (Danny Lee), a superhero with seemingly limitless powers, to save humanity from the icy demon alongside her legion of monsters.

      The Shaw Brothers producer Run Run Shaw, eager to capitalize on Ultraman's success, created Inframan to resonate with audiences who adore child-friendly heroes facing off against monsters wielding imaginative weapons like lasers, darts, guns, and swords. If you’ve ever watched *Power Rangers*, you’ll recognize the kind of action you can expect, as *The Super Inframan* serves as the prototype for that genre.

      Although this film was previously released on Blu-ray in the UK, the 2K restoration enhances image clarity significantly. This edition also features a new lossless audio track in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, plus the US theatrical cut of the film, an interview with lead Bruce Le, audio commentary, and a video essay, making *The Super Inframan* an energetic opener wealth of extras, even if the film itself can feel slightly repetitive.

      The excitement continues on disc two, beginning with *The Oily Maniac* from 1976, where Danny Lee returns (he appears several times in this collection) as Shen Yuan, a disabled lawyer who uses crutches. When summoned to defend a businessman who accidentally kills a man attacking his daughter, Shen Yuan is also cursed, transforming him into the titular greasy monster endowed with superhuman strength, eager to correct the injustices caused by local criminal gangs.

      This marks the first of many horror entries in this box set. Based on an Asian folktale, *The Oily Maniac* bears a resemblance to Troma Productions' *The Toxic Avenger*, sharing many plot elements. Similarly to Troma's output, this film doesn't shy away from its exploitation roots, delivering an entertaining experience where Danny Lee repeatedly covers himself in dark green oil, lumbering about in a large rubber suit. Though absurd, it captures all the hallmarks of classic grindhouse films—gore, nudity, sex, violence, and martial arts—and even borrows John Williams’ theme from *Jaws* for its attack sequences—what more could one want?

      Also featured on disc two is *The Battle Wizard* from 1977, where wuxia fantasy takes center stage. Danny Lee stars as Prince Tuan Yu, a pacifist who defies his father's wishes by refusing to train in martial arts. However, he soon finds himself embroiled in a mission that involves a snake charmer, a beautiful masked warrior, and an ancient family feud between his womanizing father and his ex-lover. Things quickly get complicated, but rest assured, the prince faces numerous trials, awakening his inner fighter.

      Along