An Vosen (D.Y. Sao) wants to escape the violent gang life of his past. He decides that the best way to this, is to take on the role of night watchman at homeless hospital shelter, but he is in for more than his imagination can comprehend, as he soon learns that not everything is quite as it seems. The residents’ children are disappearing night after night. No one has been able to help, until now. After a run in with the shadows of the building, he will rise from the ashes to stand as the hero the people need. Combating his way to save the children with one blood-soaked bone crunching gory encounter after another, the Shadow Master goes deep in the heart of the building. Who is really behind it all and why?
Writer, director, and producer Prachya Pinkaew is executive producer on this fun Martial Arts film, with a hint of horror. This is a man that many action fans around the world will know for introducing audiences to the incredible Tony Jaa in Ong Bak. They followed the success of Ong Bak around the world with Tom Yum Goong which, for me took Jaa and his abilities to the next level. Both films to this day in my opinion still stand up as outstanding editions to Kung Fu cinema. Here Pinkaew teams up with writer director Pearry Teo who creates a bizarre and foreboding world inside the hostel. The set up for the story is really simple; you can’t look too much into it. Shadow Master is a showcase for DY Sao and his team to show what they can do, and boy can they do it so well! The fight scenes are a treat for fans of the fight genre. The film is low budget, and you can see that in how it is shot, but there is no denying they know what they are doing when it comes to the action scenes. DY Sao has an extensive background in martial arts and is fluent in many systems. Sao trained actor Simu Lis for Shang Chi, plus acted alongside Michelle Yeoh in Oscar heavy nominated film Everything, Everywhere All at Once. DY Sao is the most outstanding part of the film and the one to watch. At just an hour and a half running time it does not go to deep into the story, this is what is happening, and you escape into that if you want. Films are escapism and Shadow Master does that well. I`ve read a few things online with people questioning everything about the story. Well, I say get over yourselves, as you are missing the fun and sheer spectacle of the film when it comes to the fight scenes. Yes, elbows are flying that is reminiscent of Ong Bak, but Sao has other systems he shows on screen here. Later in the film he gets a hold of a staff and all I`m going to say is wow, his weapons skills are exceptional!
All in all, I found Shadow Master an enjoyable little action film. That gets to the point quickly and rattles through to the end to a third act reveal. Everything is shot in the dark (he is the night watchman) but there is nice lighting throughout to give it that foreboding gothic horror feel it has through it. Some well framed scenes that are surprisingly gory at times. It is a fusion of different genres, and you can see different influences. I definitely see a bit of The Crow for one. I am looking forward to further colorations between DY Sao, Pearry Peo and Prachya Pinkaew. Here`s hoping that they`re many to come...
