A Damaged Hero

In the kung fu sci-fi web series Quantum Shock, you follow the exploits of Colt Stahl (Anselm Meyer), a hero cut from the same taciturn cloth as Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer.

Unlike Mr. Bourne and Bauer, Colt is also a man possessed of a unique ability - he can see certain murders before they occur. He witnesses the deaths of individuals vital to the integrity of our timeline.

In a Minority Report like twist, a haunted Colt embarks on a vigilante mission to stop the perpetrators of these homicides before they happen.

But how did Colt gain such an ability, what terrible price is he paying because of it, and who is behind the sinister forces opposing him?

Quantum Shock is the compelling story of a once idealistic young man's transformation into a superhuman agent of vengeance and death.

An Epic Vision

Created and written by martial artist Anselm Meyer, Quantum Shock is very ambitious in scope and appearance.  

It's a unique blend of  sci-fi, kung fu action, and espionage drama that works remarkably well for many reasons including:

• A well-developed screenplay featuring an intriguingly dark, introspective story

• Dynamic direction by Dave Campbell

• Gorgeous cinematography featuring scenic locales

• A pulse-pounding score

• Solid performances by the supporting cast

Last, but certainly not least, the project showcases some very impressive martial arts fight choreography.

This comes as no surprise since Mr. Meyer himself is a martial artist.  His on-and-off screen mentor Ralph Haenel (General Conrad Matheus), is also a well-respected master of the martial art of Wing Tsun Kung Fu.

The result of having real martial artists involved in the production are fight scenes that are very fluid and fun to watch.

My only main criticism of the series is the sound editing. On more than one occasion the ambient sounds of a locale drown out the actors' dialogue.

Hopefully this fault will be addressed if the project is released in other media.

Take A Quantum Trip

The series is told in five parts, each averaging between 18-22 minutes in length. A single, extended cut of the series is also planned for future release in early 2014.

Here is the project's trailer:

Here is also a cool behind the scenes video featuring Kung Fu Master Ralph Haenel performing drills with the cast:

Overall, I found Quantum Shock an engrossing tale with a highly thought-out plot, exciting action scenes, and a dark, gritty tone appropriate to its theme.

The series ending is left open, making it possible for more adventures with Colt Stahl to be explored.

To watch the series in episodic or movie format, visit its official channel on YouTube: KungFuCoach.

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