7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Hotshot lawyer is hired by a mysterious chemistry factory to dig up dirt on an inconvenient fishery seeking damaging court action. Sidekick Hung and professional crook. Yuen swiftly sprint to Chan's aid. Ironically the gang finds their toughness softening in the face of two gorgeous ladies at the fishery. They inadvertently hit a center nerve of the chemical factory when they unmask the hideous fade of a narcotic syndicate.
Starring: Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Biao Yuen, Pauline Yeung, Deannie IpForeign | 100% |
Action | 7% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Cantonese: Dolby Atmos
Cantonese: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
As some of the copious supplements included on this release get into, there's almost a bittersweet irony to the "forever" in this film's title, which, considering the fact that its trio of marquee stars made this their last joint appearance together, might have been better titled Dragons Nevermore. As some of those selfsame supplements mention, parting in this instance may not have been so much "such sweet sorrow" as "good riddance", which may give the buffoonery and slam bang action suffusing this effort a bit of subtext, though as commentators Mike Leeder and Arne Venema in particular discuss, the real interest for film dissection advocates may not be any simmering discontent between stars, but rather the perhaps odd characterization that Jackie Chan delivers in this film.
Dragons Forever is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. 88 Films didn't provide any real technical information on the transfer, but I recommend those interested to check out Svet's Dragons Forever Blu-ray review of 88 Film's previous release of the film on Blu-ray for the UK market for comparison's sake. Judging solely by screenshots, a lot of this transfer looks more or less similar if not identical to 88 Film's UK release, though if you look a little closer at some of the screenshots, there appears to be a somewhat more visible, arguably slightly gritty, looking grain field in this version. (It may be worth noting that this release offers all three versions on one BD-50, whereas it looks like the UK release had the versions spread over two discs.) The palette is wonderfully robust throughout the presentation, and detail levels are generally excellent. There are some slight but noticeable variations in color temperature than can just slightly affect things in passing and which typically occur during either interior or dimly lit moments. Whatever restoration gauntlet was undertaken has removed any major signs of age related wear and tear.
Dragons Forever features Dolby Atmos audio for the Hong Kong and Japanese cuts, and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono for the International Cut. Atmos engagement is noticeable basically from the get go, although kind of interestingly as much for underscore as for any effects work, though once the action sequences start up, there is of course consistent engagement of all the surround channels, with some cartwheeling effects that keep the listener well immersed within a sometimes chaotic array of fighting sounds. As some of the supplements get into, no matter what version of the film you watch, you're getting a "post looped" experience, and as such sync as they say can be (more than) loose. The kind of cheesy synth drenched score sounds full bodied and also helps to create a wash into the side and rear channels. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
Chan fans may be scratching their heads a bit at the character Jackie has to play in this film, but aside from that potential misgiving, a lot of Dragons Forever is incredibly fun and rather funny. Chan, Hung and Biao are an appealing update on the Three Musketeers and/or Stooges (as the case may be), and the film nicely balances great action set pieces with some admittedly goofy character beats. Technical merits are solid and the supplements very appealing. Highly recommended.
Fai can che / Kuài cān chē / 快餐車
1984
'A' gai wak
1983
Special Edition | 玻璃樽 | Boh lei chun
1999
Xià rì fú xīng | 夏日福星 | Hong Kong Cut & Extended Cut
1985
Jung on zo / Zhòng àn zǔ / 重案組
1993
Fuk sing go jiu / Fu xing gao zhao / 福星高照
1985
Sing si lip yan / Chéng shì liè rén / 城市獵人
1993
Zui quan
1978
龍的心
1985
5 Lucky Stars / Kei mau miu gai: Ng fok sing / Qí móu miào jì: wǔ fú xīng / 奇謀妙計五福星
1983
The Armour of God / Lung hing foo dai
1986
'A' gai wak juk jaap / 'A' ji hua xu ji / A計劃續集
1987
東方禿鷹
1987
1982
Shuang long hui
1992
富貴列車 / Foo gwai lit che / Shanghai Express | Limited Edition
1986
Se ying diu sau
1978
警察故事 / Ging chaat goo si
1985
Armour of God II: Operation Condor / Fei jing gai wak / Project Eagle
1991
笑拳怪招 / Xiào quán guài zhāo
1979