6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
During the shutdown and destruction of the Japanese test camp Squadron 731 in Manchuria, a soldier becomes infected with a virus developed during the camp's testing and risks spreading it into Japan on the train ride home.
Director: Godfrey HoForeign | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Mandarin: LPCM 2.0
Cantonese: LPCM 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Godfrey Ho's 'Men Behind the Sun 3: A Narrow Escape' makes its Blu-ray debut in a slipboxed release limited to 5000 units courtesy of Massacre
Video.
The second sequel to the notorious 'Men Behind
the
Sun', it has received a 2K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative. As was the case with 'Men Behind the
Sun 2: Laboratory of the Devil' special features are light; just a collection of stills and trailers for other Massacre Video titles. Once again
there is interior art of one of the film's scenes, though this time the case is clear so that the image isn't "hidden".
No, it's not déjà vu. Nor is watching the previous two films in the series 'Men Behind the Sun' and 'Men Behind the Sun 2: Laboratory of the Devil' causing you to lose your mind (though a strong case
could be made for this point). No, if parts of Men Behind the Sun 3: A Narrow Escape seem familiar it's because they are. Seeking again to
cash in on the name recognition and reputation of the first film, Godfrey Ho's second sequel recycles footage from the previous films for his
purposes here. While there are many such instances on display, and I'm sure those more versed in the films will catch more than I did, the most
impactful moments of re-use would certainly have to be the pair of autopsies from 'Men Behind the Sun 2: Laboratory of the Devil' which made that film
difficult viewing. For all of this recycling, is the film worth watching? Strangely, and only somewhat hesitantly, I would argue that it is.
Men Behind the Sun 3: A Narrow Escape is potentially the best-looking of the three films from the series released by Massacre Video, besting the first film by a narrow margin. A decidedly drab film, the available colors are typically nicely saturated with primaries, especially red, being allowed to pop, though such opportunities are rare. Detail levels, as best observed on close-ups can yield satisfying facial and environmental particulars. Blacks are never milky but can absorb detail, especially in outdoor nighttime scenes. As with the previous two parts in the series of films, stock footage is sometimes leveraged to provide authentic scenes of wartime activities, destruction, and the aftermath, and while those elements still look a bit rough here, they are an improvement over those used in 'Men Behind the Sun 2: Laboratory of the Devil'. The same is true for the footage of both of the autopsies. It's still haggard when compared to the bulk of what's on display here, but it's a step up from what was seen in the previous film. Not a perfect presentation, the film can exhibit some damage, debris, and white specks can be detected as well, as can moments of softness and shots where colors and skin tones appear a bit washed-out. On the whole, though, fans of the film should be very pleased.
Men Behind the Sun 3: A Narrow Escape has two PCM 2.0 audio tracks, Mandarin and Cantonese. I watched the film with each track and found them to be very similar experiences. Dialogue is, as a rule, crisp and clean, with only the faintest of sibilance issues bubbling up from time to time. Sound effects, as with the previous release, are on par with other films from the era, however, once again, the lack of any bass presence keeps machine guns, explosions, planes, and trains sounding rather thin. Similarly, music is handled well but is also disadvantaged by the lack of bass. Subtitles are included and are removable for those fluent in either of the two language options. They are both acceptable audio tracks for the film.
Supplemental features are found under two menu options; "Gallery" and "Trailers".
Massacre Video has done commendable work in bringing the notorious 'Men Behind the Sun', 'Men Behind the Sun 2: Laboratory of the Devil', and Men Behind the Sun 3: A Narrow Escape to Blu- ray. Each is now thoroughly watchable with the third installment, in my opinion, being the best-looking film of the three. As the films go, Men Behind the Sun 3: A Narrow Escape was for me the "easiest" of the three to watch due to a decreased emphasis on gore, torture, and man's inhumanity to man, and a greater focus on the most interesting and "complete" story of the three films, as members of Unit 731 attempt to get home even as an outbreak of black death and travel through hostile territory make success seem unlikely. This is the film I'll revisit should the urge to view something from this series seize me in the future. Technical merits are solid, though supplemental features are rather slight. Men Behind the Sun 3: A Narrow Escape comes recommended to the franchise's established and committed fans, all others should proceed with caution.
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