| On DVD: Hong Kong Films | |
On July 22, 2003, Fox Home Entertainment and Fortune Star released the first five DVDs in a series of Hong Kong films on DVD. The movies are "City Hunter," "Hong Kong 1941," "Magnificent Butcher," "Magnificent Warriors," and "Naked Killer." These DVDs are completely restored and remastered, presented in high definition, offer new English and Cantonese 5.1 Dolby Digital audio tracks, English and Chinese Subtitles, and new interviews.
Here are my brief reactions and additional information of interest on the first five DVDs in the series.
"City Hunter" (1992)
When Ryu (Jackie Chan) tries to find a Japanese tycoon's daughter, he follows her onboard a cruise ship and much goofy fun unfolds before he is able to return her to her father.
I found "City Hunter" surprisingly amusing, and the best part of the movie was that it was laugh-out-loud funny throughout. Jackie Chan's antics were very silly and a lot of fun. Watching "City Hunter" makes it easy to see why he has so many fans.
This not a great movie, but it is an entertaining one. "City Hunter" is a real treat for Jackie Chan fans, and possibly will win him a few new ones. This is an action comedy that mainly showcases Jackie Chan's skills as a physical comedian, but there also are some virtuoso action scenes thrown into the mix.
Both the sound and picture quality on the DVD are excellent.
DVD Special Features Include:
- Interviews With Jackie Chan, the Cast and the Crew
- A New "City Hunter" Outtakes Music Video
- Jackie Chan Movie Photo Gallery and Biography
- New and Original Trailers
- Original Promotional Materials
"Hong Kong 1941" (1984)
This is more of a romantic drama that an action movie. It's an especially cinematic film with high production values, charismatic leads, and Chow Yun-Fat is especially good. I was impressed with how "Hong Kong 1941" creates a poignant story of friendship between three young people during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945. I thoroughly enjoyed "Hong Kong 1941."
Both the sound and picture quality on the DVD are excellent.
DVD Special Features Include:- Interviews With the Cast and Crew
- A Chow Yun-Fat Photo Gallery and Biography
- A Movie Photo Gallery
- New and Original Trailers
- The Original Promotional Materials
"Magnificent Butcher" (1979)
In "Magnificent Butcher," butcher/martial arts student Sai-wing (Sammo Hung) bumbles his way into a series of difficult situations, making for a mix of comedy and action that didn't completely come together for me. But that being said, I can see where many fans of Sammo Hung will love it, and even for me, there were a couple of laughs along the way.
Both the sound and picture quality on the DVD are excellent.
DVD Special Features Include:
- Exclusive Amazing Sammo-Hung Music Video
- Sammo-Hung and Yuen Woo-ping Movie Photo Gallery and Biography
- A Movie Photo Gallery
- New and Original Trailers
- Original Promotional Materials
- Production Notes
"Magnificent Warriors" (1987)
In "Magnificent Warriors," Fok Ming-Ming (Michelle Yeoh) is an aviatrix who attempts to rescue a Chinese spy. There's plenty of action in this movie, along with good production values, and-of course-Michelle Yeoh's charismatic presence always is a plus. Although "Magnificent Warriors" is a period piece set in 1938 during the beginnings of the conflict between Japan and China, I never got the transported-back-in time feeling that truly effective historical dramas can sometimes convey. But I still found the movie worth watching, and action fans will probably enjoy this DVD more than I did. I found the action was rather like the kind you might expect of a Western with more bar-room brawling than martial arts.
Both the sound and picture quality on the DVD are excellent.
DVD Special Features Include:
- Interview With Michelle Yeoh Along With the Cast and the Crew
- Clips From Michelle Yeoh's Very First Movie "Owl vs. Bumbo"
- A Michelle Yeoh Movie Photo Gallery and Biography
- New and Original Trailers
- Original Promotional Materials
"Naked Killer" (1992)
Kitty goes on the run after revenging her father's murder and becomes the protégé of a professional hit-woman. But Kitty's life gets even more complicated-with deadly consequences-when she falls in love with the policeman who's in charge of investigating the murders she's committed.
"Naked Killer" is goofy, dark, violent, campy, funny, and has plenty of femme fatal action. Despite the title, contemporary western viewers are unlikely to consider what is shown on camera as nudity.
Both the sound and picture quality on the DVD are excellent.
DVD Special Features Include:
- Exclusive Interviews With Cast and Crew
- Hong Kong Beauty Stars Gallery
- New and Original Trailers
- Original Promotional Materials
