Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 30, 2021

Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" (2007) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include new audio commentary by film historian Eddie Von Muller; archival program with cast and crew interviews; and vintage trailer for the film. In Mandarin, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Ang Lee's Lust, Caution was initially released on Blu-ray by Korean label Art Service in 2008. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see our review of this release here.

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Lust, Caution arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

In 2008, a couple of different Asian companies released this film on Blu-ray, and we reviewed one from Korean label Art Service here. Early into the high-definition format's cycle, this was one of the best looking releases I had in my library.

I just finished viewing the film on Kino Lorber's release, and I have to say that it still looks gorgeous. Clarity, sharpness, delineation and depth looked either very good or excellent on my system, plus the fluidity of the visuals was quite impressive. As you probably know by now, the entire film is graded in a very particular manner as well, with specific primaries and nuances doing some very particular things to produce a memorable period ambience, and I think that the current master makes it very easy to appreciate it. Is there any room for improvement? Well, we have 4K Blu-ray now, so if the film is transferred to 4K Blu-ray and regraded with HDR/Dolby Vision, it could look even better. I think that in darker areas some of the more delicate nuances can be better balanced, but I am not convinced the difference will be substantial because the stylization definitely emphasizes and alters quite a few things. (For example, do not automatically assume that the stronger blacks in darker footage produce crushing. This may very well be an effect that is part of the stylization). Density could be improved a bit, but again, I don't think that the difference will be significant because this master looks very, very good already. This is basically it, because at least on my system the rest already looks impressive. (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).

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I pulled out the Korean release and tested the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Mandarin LPCM 7.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. (In case you are wondering, the Korean release of Lust, Caution has the 7.1 tracks, while Kino Lorber's release has a 5.1 track). If there is some different, I could not tell. In fact, in might very well be that the 5.1 track was simply encoded as a 7.1 track on the older release, which is why they sounded identical. Clarity, sharpness, and depth are excellent. It is worth pointing out, however, that the English translation is better on the Kino Lorber disc.

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - vintage U.S. trailer for Lust, Caution. With English text. (2 min).

• Tiles of Deception & Lurid Affections - this archival program was also included on the Korean release of Lust, Caution. It focuses on the film's conception and narrative. Included in it are clips from interviews with Ang Lee, Tony Leung, and Joan Chen, amongst others. In English. (17 min).

• Commentary - in this new audio commentary, film historian Eddie Von Muller discusses the narrative construction of Lust, Caution; the multiple meanings of different scenes, appearance and attitudes; the shifting nature of the truth; the film's visual style; the use of music; etc.

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you were an early adopter of the high-definition format, you should remember that a little over a decade ago Ang Lee's Lust, Caution was one of the most intriguing 'imports'. Why? Well, because the film was made available on Blu-ray only in a couple of Asian markets, and because these foreign releases looked great. In 2008, I thought that the Korean release of Lust, Caution was actually one of the best looking releases that I had in my library. Earlier tonight, I viewed Kino Lorber's release and I still think that this film looks terrific in high-definition. Perhaps it does help quite a bit that it is very stylish, but the existing master is gorgeous as well. So, if you wanted to have a copy of Lust, Caution but could not get one before, you can finally pick up an excellent domestic release. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.