City Hunter Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

City Hunter Blu-ray Movie Review

City Hunter is an excellent action-comedy. Based on the manga by Tsukasa Hôjô, published originally in Weekly Shonen Jump, City Hunter was filmed in Hong Kong and Japan. Distributed by Golden Harvest, City Hunter was released in Hong Kong cinemas on the Chinese New Year in 1993. Produced by Lam Chua (Armour of God, Mr. Nice Guy), Jackie Chan stars alongside co-stars Joey Wang, Kumiko Goto, Chingmy Yau, Gary Daniels, and Tzui-Pin Wen.

Ryo Saeba (Jackie Chan) is a goofy private detective who is famously known as the “City Hunter” detective. Ryo’s close assistant is the gorgeous Kaori Makimura (Joey Wang). Though Ryo has a reputation as a womanizing detective, Ryo’s assistant Kaori finds herself falling head-over-heals for the detective. Though Ryo at first seems to reject Kaori’s own advances, love sparks eventually fly in the air.

Ryo finds himself on board a cruise ship out at sea on a new case. Ryo and Kaori both find themselves surrounded by terrorists on the cruise ship. Though the cruise promised luxury, beautiful women, and lots of fun, the cruise also has some unexpected down sides – the terrorists, the lackluster food, and the casino problems. As the turn of events spiral wildly out of control on board the ship can Ryo and Kaori defeat the terrorists, save the day, and find true love?  

Jackie Chan is excellent in City Hunter. The performance is enormously entertaining. Chan has so much fun with the role and hams it up with some of his best comedic work in any films of the time-period. Fans who appreciate the comedic side of Jackie Chan as one his greatest strengths as an actor will appreciate the comedy in the film. Chan also had to perform some dangerous stunts in the film. Ultimately, Chan dislocated a shoulder and broke an ankle during production.

The production has outstanding elements. The art direction by Hong-Ming Tam (The Nocturnal Demon, Demoness from Thousand Years) is first-rate and works well for an action-comedy. The aesthetic adds great charm to the production. The costumes by Shirley Chan (Kung Fu Hustle, A Chinese Ghost Story) impress in spades, too. Chan has tons of great costume changes. The cast of supporting actresses do too.

The score composed by Romeo Díaz (Once Upon a Time in China, A Chinese Ghost Story) and James Wong (A Chinese Ghost Story, Once Upon a Time in China) is engaging fun. The score adds some considerable charm. The score is a great backdrop to the action-comedy of City Hunter.

Written and directed by Jing Wong (Casino Tycoon, Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star), City Hunter is one of the most underrated films in the career of Jackie Chan. Wong did a great job with the film and even though some of the dialogue was done on-the-fly, the project has so much energy that it all adds up to being enormously memorable and fun. Jackie Chan fans are in for a real treat with City Hunter – a must-see gem (especially for those who love Chan for his funny bone).

City Hunter Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, City Hunter is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in a theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The high-definition presentation looks excellent on the release. The video quality appears nicely filmic during the presentation. Colors are generally excellent on the release, though there are a few scenes that seem to be a little less consistent early on in the film. The print quality is great overall and the transfer showcases little in the way of print damage. The presentation showcases the action scenes well. A quality encoding by Shout Factory.

City Hunter Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio is provided in Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1, and English Dolby Digital 5.1. The lossless audio on the release is excellent sounding throughout the film presentation. Dialogue sounds clear on the release. The soundtrack is well reproduced. The score engaging throughout the viewing experience. Sound effects are well balanced on the audio mix.

City Hunter Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with David West, Critic and Author of Chasing Dragons: An introduction to the martial arts film

Slapstick in the City: Jackie Chan Enters the Nineties (HD, 12:40)

Interview with Jackie Chan (SD, 13:46)

Interview with Director Wong Jing (SD, 7:14)

Interview with Stuntman Rocky Lai (SD, 10:59)

Interview with Richard Norton (SD, 15:17)

Interview with Gary Daniels (SD, 29:53)

Outtakes Music Video (SD, 2:37)

Outtake Montage (SD, 4:39)

Japanese Ending Credits (HD, 3:37)

Original Theatrical Trailer (SD, 4:01)

Still Gallery (HD, 1:57)

City Hunter Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

City Hunter is an underrated gem in the filmography of Jackie Chan. Chan delivers one of his most entertaining comedic performances and delivers a lot of action-packed fun for audiences as well. Essential viewing for Jackie Chan fans. The Blu-ray release provides an excellent video and audio presentation alongside an extensive supplemental package. Highly recommended.