8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A martial-arts expert is determined to help capture the narcotics dealer whose gang was responsible for the death of his sister.
Starring: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly (II), Ahna Capri, Kien ShihAction | 100% |
Martial arts | 99% |
Crime | 83% |
Thriller | 71% |
Drama | 25% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Robert Clouse' "Enter the Dragon" (1973) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include new programs with voice performers Michael Kaye and Vaughn Savidge; new program with uthor Grady Hendrix; archival audio commentary by producer Peter Heller; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Enter the Dragon arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
This release features the slightly longer 103-minute 'special edition' version of the film, which has an extra scene and dialog not present on the 1973 theatrical cut (99 min). This version of the film was restored in 2K. (The 2K restoration of the theatrical cut can be found on Disc Four). Below you can read out comments on the theatrical version of the film, which looks identical to the 'special edition' version.
The release offers the second best overall presentation of a Bruce Lee film in Criterion's seven-disc box set. In terms of density consistency and depth some very minor improvements can still be made, but the 2K restoration is color-graded very carefully and as a result it produces some of the best ranges of fine nuances in the entire box set. I spent some time comparing it to Warner's 2013 release of Enter the Dragon and I think that in quite a few areas highlights are noticeably better managed as well. I also like the overall temperature of the color scheme, which is warmer than the one seen on the 4K restoration of Game of Death and with healthier ranges of supporting nuances. Unsurprisingly, the 2K restoration actually ensures a more convincing dynamic range than the 4K restoration. (Obviously these are different films with different visual styles, but I am comparing their presentations because the 4K restoration should have produced a superior technical presentation. It does not. The opposite is true). There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. Image stability is excellent. Finally, the entire film has been cleaned up and now looks spotless. In summary, I think that the 2K restoration of Enter the Dragon is very strong and in various ways actually quite a bit more convincing than at least one of the new 4K restorations that are included in Criterion's box set. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. On my disc, there is an option to turn on/off optional English subtitles. However, I tried three different players and was unable to get the subtitles to show up. (At the moment I only have a check disc, so I will double-check once I received a market copy of this release).
The monaural track features primarily Bruce Lee's voice in the extra scene, while Lee's voice was dubbed in the 5.1 track. I viewed the entire film with the 5.1 and thought that was really quite strong. It opens up a lot of the action footage very well, plus dynamics are more diverse. Clarity and stability are identical to those of the Mono track. (You can read additional comments about the Mono track in our review of the theatrical version of the film).
On Disc Seven from the Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits box set you will find a brand new 2K restoration of the slightly longer 'special edition' of Enter the Dragon. This version of the film can also be viewed with a 5.1 lossless audio track, which I think is really, really good. Finally, there are a couple of outstanding new programs, such as Bruceploitation with Grady Hendrix and Match the Lips with voice performers Michael Kaye and Vaughn Savidge. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Lung zang fu dau | Long zheng hu dou | 龍爭虎鬥 | 50th Anniversary 4K w/40th BD | Ultimate Collector's Edition / Import
1973
龍爭虎鬥
1973
龍爭虎鬥
1973
龍爭虎鬥 / Theatrical Version
1973
Re-release
1973
40th Anniversary Edition / Remastered
1973
1973
(Still not reliable for this title)
2009
2-Disc Extended Cut
2008
1988
2015
The Raid 2: Berandal
2014
Unrated Cut
2012
死亡遊戲 | Collector's Edition
1978
1998
2011
2019
The Way of the Dragon | 猛龍過江 | Collector's Edition
1972
2001
1991
Serbuan Maut
2011
Banlieue 13
2004
Rogue Assassin
2007
1998
2013
2010
Fully Loaded Edition
2008