8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
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: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital Mono
German: Dolby Digital Mono
Italian: Dolby Digital Mono
Japanese: Dolby Digital Mono
Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono (Spain)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
Polish: Dolby Digital 2.0
Russian: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek, Korean, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Turkish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Show of hands: who among you fancies himself a martial arts cinema fan? Good, good. Now keep your hand up if you've never had or taken the opportunity to watch Enter the Dragon. Look around. Everyone with their hand in the air is a walking contradiction; a poor, deluded soul weened on watered down beat-em-ups and Rush Hour all-nighters; a misguided action junkie who hasn't savored one of the most influential kung fu delicacies of all time. That's not to suggest anyone and everyone who partakes of Dragon's gritty goodness will suddenly declare it a timeless classic. Not everyone will gravitate to the late Bruce Lee's charisma and philosophy, or director Robert Clouse's unflappable direction. Not everyone will tolerate Lee's American co-stars, or enjoy the visceral simplicity of the film's story. But I have yet to come across someone who comes away from the film with a shrug of their shoulders; who isn't thoroughly impressed with Lee's lightning-quick strikes and bone-shattering attacks; or, for that matter, someone who who thinks Lee was anything other than a master of his art. Even some forty years after his tragic death, Lee remains a force to be reckoned with, as does Enter the Dragon.
Although the 2007 Blu-ray debut of Enter the Dragon earned high marks for its video presentation upon its initial release, time hasn't been so kind. It's clear now that the 2007 release is flawed and dated; a fact Warner's 2013 remastered 40th Anniversary Edition BD solidifies more and more with each passing scene. However, it's important to note before diving into the studio's new 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer that Lee's final film appearance will never look the part of the fresh and fierce martial arts stunner. Gritty, grainy, soft and starkly lit, it shows its age as often and as clearly as Lee shows off his skill. Colors are often washed out by the sun, shadows are unforgiving, delineation is typically unrevealing, and the original photography is prone to a host of inherent problems.
That said, Enter the Dragon has quite simply never looked better; I seriously doubt it could look much better than it does here. It not only outclasses, out-paces and out-maneuvers its 2007 counterpart (which, by comparison, is backed by an aged master and a less-than-exacting encode), it features a far more natural, film-like image, largely free of the anomalies that afflict its 2007 predecessor. Anomalies are all but MIA -- there aren't any major bouts of artifacting, banding or aliasing to contend with -- and both color accuracy and contrast consistency are exceedingly faithful to the filmmakers' intentions. Detail is more satisfying too, edge definition is more precise, grain is much more refined, and artificial sharpening and noise reduction either haven't been implemented or have been employed so judiciously as to not hinder the presentation in any way. Again, some viewers will confuse the film's widespread softness and more troubled shots as signs of a botched transfer, but such subjective complaints should be dismissed. Objectively, this is now the definitive presentation of Enter the Dragon, and I can't imagine a respectful remastering ever being more rewarding than this. Of course, I said the same thing years ago about the 2007 release. Only time will truly tell if the 2013 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray remains the definitive be-all, end-all release of the film, or if future fans are in store for an unforeseen 45th or 50th Anniversary miracle.
Much the same could be said about Warner's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. To the casual listener, the mix might not be all that impressive. To the cinephile or audiophile, though, Enter the Dragon's long-awaited lossless experience doesn't disappoint in the least, delivering the film as it is rather than artificially make it something it's not. Dialogue, shouts, whispers, jabs, full-force attacks and, really, just about every smashed crate, cracked rib, splintering mirror, devastating kick or whirring nunchaku that graces the soundscape is hindered by the thin, punchy tone of the era. But as 40-year-old martial arts classics go, all is as it should be. Voices are clean and clear (albeit obviously, I'd argue endearingly ADR'd), Lalo Schifrin's chopsocky score sounds fantastic, the LFE channel digs in and unleashes its power, and the rear speakers lend subtle presence to the film's environments and interiors without robbing the sound design of its personality and period charm. Like the 40th Anniversary Edition's video transfer, Warner's lossless audio track isn't going to wow modern moviegoers hoping for the latest and greatest in classic-film sound mixing. But for those who've spent years longing to hear Enter the Dragon at its purest and most raw, for those who've quietly suffered with the 2007 release's lossy Dolby Digital track, the audio upgrade alone might be worth the price of admission.
The 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of Enter the Dragon includes several small collectibles: promotional postcards with never-before-released production art and photographs, a replica of the "deputized ally" card distributed at the Enter the Dragon premiere, an embroidered iron-on patch, a motion lenticular card, and a booklet that previews photographer Dave Friedman's "Enter the Dragon: A Photographer's Journey," which will be available for purchase on August 15th.
When it comes to extras, the 40th Anniversary Edition only disappoints in one regard: "A Warrior's Journey," the 100-minute documentary featured on the film's 2007 Blu-ray release, is nowhere to be found. Three new HD featurettes are offered up in exchange, but while each one is welcome, the new content doesn't make up for the loss of such a candid and extensive documentary.
Enter the Dragon has practically become synonymous with kung fu cinema, and for good reason. It's possible there's none better, and even more possible we'll never see someone like Bruce Lee again. All of which makes Warner's 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray that much more enticing. With a newly remastered video transfer, a lossless audio track, and a wide selection of extras new and old, the only disappointment to be had is the absence of a 100-minute documentary previously included on the inferior 2007 BD release. Ultimately, though, the 40th Anniversary Edition is, in almost every way, the version of Enter the Dragon to own. Add it to your collection today.
1973
Re-release
1973
龍爭虎鬥
1973
龍爭虎鬥
1973
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 / Theatrical Version
1973
龍爭虎鬥 | Special Edition
1973
2009
2-Disc Extended Cut
2008
1988
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Unrated Cut
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The Big Boss | 唐山大兄 | Collector's Edition
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