Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.0

Black Mask Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman April 16, 2024

Bruce Lee wasn't quite "Bruce Lee" yet when he appeared as Kato in the relatively short lived The Green Hornet television series from 1966-67, a show which was brought out in the wake of the overwhelming success of the Adam West Batman, but which perhaps ended up being a harbinger of sorts for just how quickly the Batman craze would end after its similarly quick arising. That said, despite The Green Hornet's less than auspicious (barely) one season run on American broadcast television, Lee's contributions were so notable that the Hong Kong market offered the series under the title The Kato Show (evidently after Lee had become a global superstar). Kato's influence pervades Black Mask, and in fact the Kato character is overtly referenced not just in the film but in some of the many supplements Eureka! Entertainment's new-ish US division is offering on this two disc release, which also presents the almost comical number of alternate versions of the film.

Lionsgate released Black Mask back in the "Dark Ages" of 2008, in an edition that Marty Liebman found to be rather lacking in technical merits. Marty's Black Mask Blu-ray review provides a plot overview as well as offering screenshots for those interested in comparing the appearance of the releases. That said, this release is almost a case study how different versions of a movie can be pretty radically different viewing experiences, and even those who may understandably find some deficits in this overall production may find some interest in actually comparing the different cuts offered over the two discs of this set.

Black Mask Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Black Mask is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka! Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. The back cover of this release advertises a "2K restoration" of the uncut Hong Kong version, while Eureka's insert booklet offers a bit more information on the alternate versions as follows:

The alternate versions of Black Mask presented with this release feature some short inserts from a lower quality source material. This is due to the original materials for these scenes being lost and therefore unable to be restored. Some of these inserts feature burn in subtitles which we have chosed to not attempt to cover up so as not to further distort the film image. We hope this does not affect your enjoyment of this release.

See the supplements section below for some further verbiage on the various versions offered here, but just generally speaking, this has some radically different color timing when compared to the older Lionsgate release. Just look at screenshot 2 from this review and screenshot 1 from Marty's review to get some idea of the much cooler grading, including some almost purplish tones, that this new release can offer. That said (and I admittedly never personally owned the older Blu-ray release), it looks to me from the screenshots in Marty's review that the transfer had a somewhat jaundiced yellow tone overall, and some of the relatively warmer moments in this transfer arguably offer a less yellow and more red or red orange appearance. There's still a somewhat processed look to all the versions, with widely variant detail levels, clarity and grain resolution. Some attempt has been made to provide a range of these variances in the screenshots uploaded to accompany this review. I've included a screenshot in the 21st position of the "lower quality" material in the Taiwanese cut, which as evidenced by that screenshot and the above verbiage can have burnt in subtitles as well as what looks like an interlaced source.

Black Mask Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Black Mask features a nice variety of audio options depending on which version is selected. The Hong Kong cut offers Cantonese LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 options. The Cantonese LPCM 2.0 track is understandably more focused sounding, but also comes across as somewhat louder overall. The 5.1 mix has some nice separation and immersion, especially with regard to the sound effects in the action sequences, but can still sound a bit dispersed at times.

The Export Version features English LPCM 2.0 on on what is advertised as either the Original English Dub or the US Release English Dub and Soundtrack. The first version has a somewhat cheesy score but perhaps more effective voice work. Both feature radically different sound effects and scoring choices, but offer secure listening experiences and at least some occasionally noticeable stereo imaging.

The Taiwan Cut has Original Mandarin Stereo and Alternate Mandarin Audio LPCM 2.0 options. Once again there are some noticeable differences between the two in terms of voices and in this case especially overall mix levels. The scoring mixes in particular are pretty different (the Alternate Mandarin option at least occasionally mixes the music way back to the point you almost can't hear it). Once again, though, both versions offer good dialogue and effects reproduction.

The Extended Version features an LPCM 2.0 track that largely mirrors the LPCM 2.0 track on the Hong Kong version. There are some noticeable but not really problematic edits when the little snippets of other languages have been utilized per the verbiage I've reprinted below.

Black Mask Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc One (See screenshot 19 for the menu)

• Uncut Hong Kong Version (HD; 1:39:58)


• Commentary on Hong Kong Version by Frank Djeng


• Export Version (HD; 1:27:14)


• Commentary on Export Version by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema


• Mega Shock!: A Chat With Mike Lambert (HD; 29:53) is a great career overview of the stuntman's Hong Kong and Hollywood years.


• Andrew Heskins on Black Mask (HD; 8:38) has some biographical and production data from this easternKicks critic.


• Leon Hunt on Black Mask (HD; 17:56) features the author of Kung Fu Cult Masters: From Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger.


• Archival Making Of Documentary (HD; 19:32)


• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:59)


• US Trailer #1 (HD; 00:59)


• US Trailer #2 (HD; 1:54)


• US Home Video Trailer (HD; 1:00)

Disc Two (See screenshot 20 for the Menu)

• Taiwan Version (HD; 1:40:57) displays the following information once it's selected:

  This longer version of the film was prepared exclusively for release in Taiwan and features a different opening text crawl, some longer dialogue scenes as well as some extra violence that was removed from the original Hong Kong release. As original materials could not be located, scenes unique to the Taiwan version are from a lower quality source. The alternate Mandarin audio option was produced for later home video releases and features remixed audio and effects.

• Extended Version (HD; 1:42:18) displays the following information once it's selected:

  This version of the film attempts to incorporate all unique footage from the various releases of the film into a single cut. The majority of the footage comes from the Hong Kong release versions, but also features additional footage from both the US and taiwanese versions. The audio track is almost entirely Cantonese but short sections will feature Mandarin and English dubbing.

Additionally, Eureka! offers a nicely appointed insert booklet, with writing by James Oliver and Simon Abrams. Packaging features a reversible sleeve and a slipcover.

Black Mask Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Black Mask has some historical interest in terms of its early placement in Jet Li's filmography, and this new release is going to appeal to fans for offering four different versions. That said, my hunch is the color timing may surprise some, especially those used to the older Lionsgate release. Supplements are outstanding (I include the various versions offered in that list), for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.