QUICK SCHLOCK: The SHAWSCOPE VOL. 2 Box Set, Part 3

The closer to this post series exploring the contents of Arrow Video's jaw-dropping blu-ray box set Shawscope Vol. 2 has saved the wildest for last. The quartet of films covered show the surprises that Shaw Brothers has tucked away in their voluminous filmography - and Arrow has delivered them with the best transfers of these titles to date.

The first two films show the Shaw filmography dipping into genres outside the martial arts world: the first is a legendary horror shocker mixing Eastern themes with the kind of special effects '80s horror films were known for and the second was guys-on-a-mission action flick that owed more to The Wild Geese than Chang Cheh. The other pair of films show how Shaw Brothers gave early work to people who would define '90s Hong Kong fare after the studio had left the film world for television: the first is an early Jet Li vehicle and the other shows enduring Chinese auteur Johnnie To remaking a vintage Shaw Brothers title.

THE BOXER'S OMEN: "...the swing-for-the-fences magic duels alone make it worth seeing for Mondo Macabro types." https://boxd.it/3QfLhl

MERCENARIES FROM HONG KONG: "Fans of '80s Hong Kong action fare will appreciate the crackerjack pacing and smile knowingly at the tilt-a-whirl tonal shifts..." https://boxd.it/3QfLzJ

MARTIAL ARTS OF SHAOLIN: " ...the relentlessly high-key comedy is likely to wear on your patience at points but Lau's ability to stage action consistently impresses..." https://boxd.it/3S7KD3

THE BARE-FOOTED KID: "... if you enjoy '70s and '90s HK action fare alike, you're likely to find this crossbreed fascinating." https://boxd.it/3S7L3P