COLUMBIA TRISTAR has been releasing a lot of Martial Arts films in 2002.  Finishing up the year, two older Jackie Chan films have been released on dvd.  “HALF A LOAF OF KUNG FU” makes clear from the very beginning that it’s a comedy.  Chan spoofs a wide range of martial arts icons in the opening sequence, which includes a quick spoof of Toshiro Mifune.  Chan stars as Jiang, a man with aspirations to become employed as a guard. Unfortunately, he’s lazy and has no martial-arts skills, but after several pratfalls and an impersonation that at first gets him into trouble, Jiang is actually hired to protect some expensive treasures.  During his new job, he actually learns to fight, along with picking up some funny moves.  By the film’s ending he’s fighting off one bad guy after another with the standard comedic stunt work that Chans’s been known for. 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has presented the image in full-screen only!  It’s a shame as the jacket states it’s letterboxed!  The cropping does hinder some of the more action-oriented scenes.  The image is fine, but unexceptional, with excessive grain in a few scenes. Colors are decent though, and fleshtones appear natural.

The Dolby Digital monaural sound is disappointing.  The dubbed dialogue appears muffled in several key scenes.  Fidelity is limited throughout. 

There are two theatrical trailers for other releases