7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A group of bandits kidnaps the governor's son and demands their imprisoned leader to be set free in exchange.
Starring: Pei-Pei Cheng, Hua Yueh, Siu-Tung Ching, Jackie Chan, Ying-Chieh HanForeign | 100% |
Martial arts | 29% |
Drama | 5% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
King Hu's "Come Drink with Me" (1966) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors 88 Films. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage trailer for the film and exclusive new audio commentary by critic Samm Deighan. In Mandarin or English, with optional English subtitles. Region-B "locked".
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Come Drink with Me arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.
There are a couple of different King Hu films that have transitioned to Blu-ray and in my opinion the remaster that was used for this release has the most convincing color scheme. Yes, it is pretty easy to see that some of the darker footage reveals light black crush, so a better remaster could and should reveal expanded nuances, but the overall temperature and balance of the color scheme is very convincing. To be honest, I think that at least in terms of temperature this is the setting that should have been present on A Touch of Zen and Dragon Inn, both of which currently have very artificial color schemes. There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments, so the visuals have proper organic qualities as well. However, image stability is not optimal. There is light 'weaving' that pops up from time to time and even some shakiness within the frame that is impossible to ignore. I don't know what type of elements are available for this film, but pin registration will quite easily eliminate what I am seeing on this remaster. I still think that it is quite nice, but I also think that it could have been near perfect. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There are two standard audio tracks on this release: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the Mandarin track.
I tested both tracks and found the English track to be really good. It can be unexpectedly funny at times, but its basic characteristics are very nice. It does not match the English translation, so folks that need English subtitles for the dub track are out of luck. On both tracks the music can sound a bit thin, but I am convinced that this is an inherited limitation.
I like Come Drink with Me quite a bit more than the other King Hu films that I have seen because it does not overemphasize its action. As a result, it has a much more organic appearance, which often makes it look like an elaborate period play. This recent release from 88 Films is sourced from a good remaster whose only weakness is the less than optimal image stability. Still, it is a release that should not be missed by fans of King Hu's work. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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