The Butcher’s Blade review by Bobby Blakey
Well Go USA continues to be the premiere distributor for Asian cinema offering up more martial arts film from all over the world than anyone else. Their latest film, The Butcher’s Blade stars Liu Fengchao, Yuan Fufu, and Chunyu Shanshan from Sword and Fire director Liu Wenpu. Could this martial arts epic bring the mystery and action it promises, or will it fail to pay its debts?
The Butcher’s Blade follows upstanding constable Xue Buyi who is framed when thousands in disaster relief funds disappear. Desperate to prove his innocence, he takes a job with a secret squad whose only goal is to serve and protect those who can afford to pay. Forced to choose between his integrity and his freedom, Xue decides the only path forward is to fight back and hope that exposing these dangerous agents of chaos will be enough to set him free.
I love any martial arts films, but I am all in for the world of Wuxia films. This film not only brings action, but is wrapped in an interesting world of betrayal, mystery and redemption. It initially sets up Buyi who gets zero respect despite being badass. It is an interesting approach with the character that makes you instantly wonder what the issue is since everyone disrespects him and his life is in shambles at every turn.
AS the film moves on it shifts focus into a mystery of trying to solve who is behind the robbery and murders along with telling us his backs tory to effect results. The film works on every level keeping things tight and moving as it Buyi all the tools to find his path back to his redemption and fury. Even when the action isn’t tearing up the sets and those around them it is still compelling with the layers they bring into this seemingly simplistic story. The performances are all great across the board
offering cool, sleezy and horrible characters to bring this story to successful life.
The action here is well done and fast past. Everyone kicks some major ass in every way to deliver entertaining and all around awesome martial arts action. Everything fans of the genre love is here at every turn. Most of the fights are long form and get more intricate as they move forward with a great use of weapons and fists until the chaotic violent finale that is beautiful and destructive.
I really dug this film and hope that it finds the audience it deserves. Decide for yourself and check out The Butcher’s Blade when it hits digital on May 12th from Well Go USA.