Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony has re-released the acclaimed modern classic 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' with newly remastered 1080p video from a 4K master. Audio has received a boost with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Several new supplements are included on top of most of the extras found on the previous standalone release.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon new 1080p transfer, sourced from a 4K master and the original 35mm film elements, looks absurdly beautiful. Sony's presentation boasts an attractive grain structure, one that's light and complimentary, even and accentuating of the finer point details. The filmic image presents detail with a natural grace and command of the screen. Facial definition is fantastic. Pores and other small details are revealed with a level of inherent complexity that's rarely seen on Blu-ray and often reserved only for the finest film-sourced pictures. Clothing details are equally impressive. Beyond the broad fabric details lie very intimate lines and seams, not to mention small frays and other imperfections that add a level of authenticity to the picture. Environmental details are precise, whether vegetation, rough terrain, or wooden accents around homes. Whether broad scope environmental or intimate character shots, the transfer never wants for additional clarity or detail. Colors are beautifully rich and accurate. Accentuating red, lush natural greens, and all variety of warm woods, earthy backdrops, and even more blandly colors gray and dark attire present with fantastic balance and accuracy. Black levels are deep and true while flesh tones appear healthy and full. The image appears free of any sort of inherent wear or encode artifacts. This is a gorgeous Blu-ray presentation of a naturally beautiful film; 1080p Blu-ray doesn't get any better than this.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

In a pleasant pivot from both of the recent re-releases of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, Sony's 1080p Blu-ray reissue of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon contains a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, in the original Mandarin. The English dub is only DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, but this review will cover the original goods in the Atmos configuration. All that said, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Atmos soundtrack is superb. The film's elements play in expert harmony, with the added middle-back and top layer sound elements adding a greater sense of depth and immersion to the proceedings. The musical track in particular plays with a grandiose flair and balance, held up by a strong foundational low end and a wide sense of depth of delivery and width of engagement around the stage. Instrumental clarity is stellar, particularly in some of the more impactful, deeper lines that pulse through the movie and play like the lifeblood of many action scenes. The listener will feel centralized in the orchestra and hear it as richly as one would expect in real life. Sword clanks yield impressive clarity through a range of light pings and heavy gongs. Movement about the stage -- whether flowing characters or gentle breezes -- enjoys a precision of excellent and pinpoint placement that perfectly aligns with the on- and off-screen action. With firmly planted and realistically clear dialogue, this track is nothing short of a pleasure in every regard. Few are as good as this.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon contains several new and carryover supplements. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: With Director Ang Lee and Writer/Producer James Schamus.
• Audio Commentary: With Cinematographer Peter Pau
• NEW! Deleted Scenes (1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 7:49 total runtime): Scenes include Haan and Sue Meet, Preparing for Marriage, Only Honor Counts, A Tour of the Gardens and a Glimpse of Jun-Pei, A Celebration in the Desert, and Why Do You Have to Go?.
• NEW! Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - A Retrospective (1080p): A three-part feature in which Cultural Critic/Film Journalist Tasha R. Robinson interviews three key members of the filmmaking team. The first features Director Ang Lee discussing the film in In Conversation with Ang Lee (29:58). In Conversation with Tim Squyres (25:11) looks at how the American-born Editor cut the film, which was shot in Mandarin. Finally, In Conversation with James Schamus (25:59) features the Screenwriter and Producer discussing the film's worldwide success and his relationship with Ang Lee.
• NEW! The Making of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (1080p upscaled, 19:02): A vintage piece that explores the key elements behind th making of the film, including the shooting locations, challenges of the shoot, the qualities the cast and crew brought to the film, stunt work, and much more.
• NEW! Music Video (1080p upscaled, 3:48): A Love Before Time (English Version).
• NEW! Music Video (1080p upscaled, 3:47): A Love Before Time (Mandarin Version).
• A Conversation with Michelle Yeoh (1080p upscaled, 13:49).
• Photo Gallery (1080p upscaled, 6:50).

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It feels like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has been on schedule for a remaster and re-release for some time now. The disc has finally arrived, alongside a UHD counterpart, and the results are spectacular. A top-rung image, an Atmos track on the 1080p Blu-ray, and a mix of new and old supplements make this a terrific package and well worth the wait and the price of (re)admission. Very highly recommended.