World Without Thieves (DVD)

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---

The story was based on a novel by Zhao Benfu and the script won a Golden Horse Award in 2005 for best adapted material. The plot is filled with twists and turns and I´m not just talking about the railroad tracks. Nobody on the train is quite what they appear to be. They each have their secrets and hidden agendas. However, they aren´t very well-rounded characters as Feng paints his script with broad strokes. The Wangs are the criminals on the path to redemption, Uncle Li is the veteran with his own code of honor, and his underlings are the hotshots who want to play by their own rules. Feng uses a bit of a heavy hand when it comes to his direction as well. "World Without Thieves" isn´t quite an action film, but it does have several stylish sequences. One sequence follows the Wang Bo, armed with only a razor blade, picking the pockets of a group of tourists. There are also a few fight scenes sprinkled throughout, but not the hard-hitting martial arts stuff you might see in a Jet Li flick. The fights are done more in the style of a dance, softer and set to flamenco music. Feng cuts these moments in much the same manner of a typical Hollywood action flick. Fast paced with close-ups and quick edits. Just because the scenes move at a manic speed doesn´t make them any more exciting. Some silly looking CGI also detracts from these scenes.


VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The transfer is clean and the colors come off strong. Nothing too earth shattering, but perfectly acceptable.

AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. Both tracks are in the film´s original Mandarin language with optional English and Spanish subtitles.

EXTRAS:
The Making of A World Without Thieves is simply a series of six featurettes that run between one to two minutes. Each segment acts as only a brief and superficial look at the creation of the film.

Also included on the DVD are a collection of six deleted scenes, the film´s theatrical trailer, and a photo gallery.

FILM VALUE:
"A World Without Thieves" isn´t a bad film, but it´s not something to write home about. The story is decent, just not very involving, though it does pick up towards the end. It´s such a middle of the road kind of picture. Devoted fans of Andy Lau will likely enjoy it, but I found my attention wavering from time to time. Feng manages to capture the beauty of the Chinese countryside when he´s not imparting his MTV flourishes to the action scenes. Perhaps, the most noticeable element in the film is the ultra-cute Li Bingbing as one of Wang Bo´s nemeses. Western moviegoers will likely know her more from her upcoming appearance as a Bride with White Hair clone in the Jet Li/Jackie Chan vehicle, "The Forbidden Kingdom."

---

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---