Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon Blu-ray Movie Review

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is an action classic. Based on the manga by Takao Saitô, Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is a must-see for fans of action star Sonny Chiba. Produced by Masao Satô (Legend of the Eight Samurai, Death of a Ninja), Kôji Shundô (Big Time Gambling Boss, Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight), and Naoyuki Sugimoto (Message from Space, Sukeban: Taiman Shobu). Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon co-stars Lun Chia, Etsuko Shihomi, Emi Shindô, Yung-En Sun, Dana, and Nick Wai Kei Lam.

Golgo 13 (Sonny Chiba) – also known as Duke Togo – is the elite ranking secret spy working as a top sniper and assassin. The American syndicate has hired Golgo 13 to take out the competition with a successful Hong Kong drug kingpin selling American drugs without a middleman. Pursued by a hotshot detective on the case, Golgo 13 must survive the mission and do whatever he can to take out the Hong Kong drug lord as assigned.

Can Golgo 13 get the job done and earn his paycheck as an assassin-for-hire? Life isn’t so simple for the sniper extraordinaire Golgo 13. Duke Togo will get the job done if it’s the last thing he does.

Sonny Chiba is a first-class action star. Sonny Chiba carries the show. The performance by Chiba is a must-see. One of the best performances by Chow, Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is an impressive highlight for his acting chops and his dedication to performance. The star has a tough role here. A remarkable role that Chiba brings to life with gusto and enthusiasm.

The production design by Norimichi Igawa (Yakuza Law, Yakuza Ladies: The Final Battle) is an essential element of the film. The production design adds to the visual landscape of the filmmaking. The film is beautiful looking and has a style that exudes confidence. Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is a visual stunner and the designs by Igawa help to add to the aesthetic charms. Well-done.

Edited by Isamu Ichida (Labyrinth Romanesque, Four Days of Snow and Blood), Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is a well-paced thrill ride. Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is well-cut and the editing plays an important role the tone and rhythm of the filmmaking. Ichida did a good job in this regard.

The cinematography by Shigeru Akatsuka (The Spying Sorceress, Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds) and Katsuo Katsuki (Tokugawa onna keibatsu-emaki: Ushi-zaki no kei) is one of the most fun aspects of the production. The cinematography shines through and brings so much sophistication to Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon. Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is all the more visually alluring as a result.

The score composed by Harumi Ibe (Detective Bureau 2-3: Go to Hell Bastards!, Danger Pays) offers excitement and energy in spades. The score by Ibe is a good backdrop to the action and spectacle. Outstanding.

Written by Isao Matsumoto (The Killing Machine, The Shogun Assassins) and Nobuaki Nakajima (Violent Streets, A Haunted Turkish Bathhouse), Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is a fun script and one with an abundance of charm. The writing is excellent and the dialogue is well-done. A solid script for the film.

Directed by Yukio Noda (Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs, Gangster Cop), Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is essential viewing for Sonny Chiba fans. Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is a thrilling film and one with a lot of style. Noda is a top-notch director and brings out the best in the filmmaking. Sonny Chiba fans are in for a treat.  

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The release features an impressive high-definition presentation. The transfer is well-done and offers a pleasing encode. The transfer is free from egregious issues with imperfections like print damage and the like. Well-done.

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (with English subtitles). The lossless audio quality is clear and well-balanced. Dialogue is crisp and easy to understand. The score is well reproduced. The English subtitles are well-done and free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors. The release does not provide an English dubbed option.

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Brian Bankston

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is an intense and thrilling action-adventure. A first-rate thrill ride and one that highlights the acting chops of star Sonny Chiba, Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is a must-see for fans of the actor. The style and class of the filmmaking is readily apparent. The Blu-ray release has a solid high-definition presentation and lossless audio encode. The release also includes an audio commentary track by Brian Bankston. Fans of Sonny Chiba won't be disappointed.  Highly recommended.