6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A highly televised police bust of a bank heist results the criminals getting away and a lot of cops getting killed. In an effort to save face with the public, the police arrange to broadcast the pursuit and capture of the crooks. Things get more complicated when the bank robbers contact the media with their own version of events.
Starring: Richie Jen, Kelly Chen (I), Nick Cheung, Eddie Cheung, Suet LamForeign | 100% |
Crime | 11% |
Drama | 1% |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.31:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Cantonese: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Cantonese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Mandarin: Dolby Digital 5.1
Mandarin (Traditional), Mandarin (Simplified), English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Winner of the Film of Merit award granted by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, Johnnie To’s “Breaking News” (2004) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Asian distributors MegaStar. The film explores the relationship between violence and mass media in contemporary societies while it follows a group of robbers terrorizing the streets of Hong Kong. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed is Region-Free and English-friendly.
Let the shootouts begin!
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.31:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Johnnie To's Breaking News arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Hong Kong-based distributors MegaStar.
The film looks good in high-definition. Generally speaking, delineation, clarity, and depth are quite pleasing. Colors look vibrant but natural as well. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. There are a few areas with sporadic mild softness, but this is a fluctuation that is introduced by the original cinematography. Image stability is excellent. For the record, the transfer is free of annoying specks, marks, stains, or debris. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray release is marketed as Region-A "locked", it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).
There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 7.1, Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1 and Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1. I opted for the Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the remaining two tracks for the purpose of this review.
The audio treatment Johnnie To's Breaking News has received is far more impressive than the video treatment addressed above. The Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track reveals plenty of activity in the rear channels, solid and full-bodied bass as well as pleasing high-frequencies (there are absolutely no distortions in the upper register that I could detect). The abundance of shootout scenes, especially from inside the apartment complex, are really quite impressive. Naturally, the Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track brings out all sorts of tiny details (empty shells falling on the concrete floor, sizzling weapons, etc) that I believe many of you will appreciate. Furthermore, the dialog is just as crisp, clear and very easy to follow. It is also well balanced with Ben Cheung and Ching Chi Wing's evocative and very effective soundtrack. This said, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings to report here.
As mentioned earlier, I viewed a few of the more active scenes from Breaking News with the Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1 track. As expected, the basics are intact. However, it is fairly evident that the rear channels are not as active. Additionally, the bass remains rather pleasing, though I certainly think that when blended with the impressive surround activity from the Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 7.1, it is actually far more effective. Finally, I would like to mention that MegaStar have provided optional English, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
In addition to a gallery of trailers - (Breaking News, Exiled, and Naked Weapon), all encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, 1080p and subtitled in English – on this Blu-ray disc you will also find a very short "Behind The Scenes" featurette, encoded with MPEG-2 (standard-def). Unfortunately, the featurette arrives with imposed Chinese subtitles. Therefore, I cannot comment on its content.
There is a good reason why Johnnie To's films are often screened at major international festivals - they have a style of their own. Typically, they also feature fascinating characters with terrific stories to tell. Breaking News is not one of the Hong Kong director's best films, but it is nevertheless entertaining. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of MegaStar, is of good quality. If looking to diversify your library with something not overly exotic, give Breaking News a try. Recommended.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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