8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Two heartsick Hong Kong cops, both jilted by ex-lovers, cross paths at the Midnight Express take-out restaurant stand, where the ethereal pixie waitress Faye works.
Starring: Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Faye Wong, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Valerie ChowForeign | 100% |
Drama | 98% |
Romance | 26% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Cantonese: DTS-HD Master Audio 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 | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Winner of the Film of Merit award granted by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, Wong Kar-Wai's "Chungking Express" (1994) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Hong Kong-based distributors Mei Ah Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include the film's original theatrical trailer and a gallery of stills. In Cantonese, with optional English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Heartbroken cop
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Wong Kar-Wai's Chungking Express arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Hong Kong-based distributors Mei Ah Entertainment.
Generally speaking, this is a good high-definition transfer - but drastically different from the one Criterion used for their Blu-ray release of Chungking Express. As far as I am concerned, Mei Ah Entertainment's Blu-ray release is quite similar to British distributors Artificial Eye's Blu-ray release.
Fine object detail is good, particularly during the daylight scenes. Clarity and contrast are also pleasing, but definitely not as consistent as they are on the Criterion release. Certain scenes, for example, are quite dark, and occasionally noisier. Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern, though during the second half of the film there are a few scenes where it is quite easy to spot. There are no serious stability issues either. Lastly, the color-scheme is not identical to that of the Criterion release; the blues, greens, reds, browns, and blacks are much darker on this Blu-ray release. All in all, even though there are no serious technical issues with Mei Ah Entertainment's Blu-ray release of Chungking Express, I prefer the overall better look of the Criterion Blu-ray release. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1, and Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1. For the record, Mei Ah Entertainment have provided optional English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese subtitles for the main feature.
The Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is solid. The bass is potent and punchy, the rear channels intelligently used, and the high-frequencies not overdone. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and very easy to follow. There are no balance issues with the beautiful soundtrack either. Lastly, I did run a few quick tests ( I tested a few of the scenes with the wonderful sax solo) to see how this Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track compares to the Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, but could not hear much of a difference.
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Chungking Express. Music only, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).
Photo gallery - a collection of stills from the film.
It appears that Criterion's Blu-ray release of Chungking Express should be considered the film's definitive presentation. Artificial Eye and Mei Ah Entertainment's Blu-ray releases are both good alternatives for fans of the film who cannot play Region-A "locked" discs, but Criterion's Blu-ray release is clearly superior. If you have not yet seen Chungking Express, as well as its 'sequel', Fallen Angels, I urge you to find the time to do so soon. Both are fantastic films, and both have received wonderful Blu-ray treatments. RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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