Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Miracles: The Canton Godfather 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 17, 2025

Jackie Chan's "Miracles" (1989) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by critics Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto; video appreciation by critic Steve Lawson; deleted scenes; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In Cantonese or English, with optional English and English SDH subtitles. Region-Free.

Tough to see

Is it accurate to say that Miracles is a remake of Frank Capra’s final film, Pocketful of Miracles? Well, a significant portion of its narrative most definitely borrows from Capra’s film, which is actually a remake of his earlier film Lady for a Day. But there is a lot more content that is unique, plus Miracles is a Jackie Chan film, which means that for the most part the narrative is just a platform for a whole lot of sizzling action. Therefore, the clear answer should be no.

Most of the obvious similarities are in the first half. In the early 1930s, the clueless immigrant Charlie (Jackie Chan) arrives in Hong Kong ready to start a new life, but immediately gets cheated by a local con artist (Bill Tung) operating as a job recruiter. Shortly after, Charlie reluctantly purchases a beautiful red rose from Madam Kao (Ah-Lei Gua) and somehow finds himself in the middle of a heated dispute between two rivaling gangs. (This is one of the most striking sequences in the entire film, featuring some absolutely breathtaking stunt work). He follows his instincts and rescues a notorious crime boss, but when later on the man dies in his hands, his people choose him to be his replacement. The newcomer’s life then instantly changes, and he becomes one of Hong Kong’s most influential residents. But Charley also becomes a walking target for the dead boss’ former competitors, so while trying to get used to his new lifestyle, he routinely dodges bullets as well. He manages to stay alive by purchasing more of Madam Kao’s red roses -- each time she hands him one, his attackers miss, and he walks away unharmed.

As Charley’s confidence grows, and he becomes comfortable managing the gang’s many businesses, amongst them a spectacular new nightclub, he learns from Madam Kao that her daughter has left Shanghai and is coming home to get married to a wealthy bachelor -- and this is a serious problem because the young girl is completely unaware that for years her mother has been selling flowers on the streets to support her. The grateful Charley then decides to help Madam Kao become the wealthy and respectable lady her daughter believes she is, and begins making arrangements for the transformation with a few of his closest assistants. However, almost immediately after the young girl, her fiancé and his parents arrive in Hong Kong, Charley’s powerful rivals go on the offensive.

The film has a rather striking period appearance that was definitely not cheap to put together. Costumes, decors and vintage cars, everything looks great and functional. So, there is period beauty galore, but it does not feel overdone either.

However, this film is all about the sizzling action, which frankly is a bit disappointing because once it gets going it takes over the narrative in such an uncompromising fashion that it simply becomes impossible for the drama and romance to be taken seriously. Do they need to be? Yes, because otherwise the film begins to look like an expensive parody that is wasting time promoting characters that do not need the viewer’s attention. They can just utter their lines and then move on to prepare the next big action number.

The action choreography offers a little bit of everything that makes Jackie Chan’s films exciting and attractive, plus the energy is truly off the charts. But the end product is still pretty rough, so the only way to avoid disappointment is to approach it with modest expectations.

*There are two versions of the film on this release. The original uncut Hong Kong Version, Mr. Canton and Lady Rose (127 min), and the International Version, Miracles (107 min). Additionally, Jackie Chan’s character is identified as Kwok Chun-Wah, from Zhongshan (and Canton in the International Version).

Miracles: The Canton Godfather 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

88 Films' release of Miracles is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray is Region-Free. However, the Blu-ray is Region-B "locked".

Please note that some of the screencaptures included with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray disc and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc.

Screencaptures #1-15 are from the Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #17-27 are from the 4K Blu-ray.

In 2019, we reviewed this Region-B Blu-ray release of Miracles, which was sourced from an excellent 4K master. This combo pack introduces a brand new 4K restoration, sourced from the film's original camera negative. In native 4K, the 4K restoration can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades. I chose to view it with HDR.

I was very happy with how Miracles looked on the previous Blu-ray release, and I have not changed my mind. However, in native 4K, Miracles now looks flat-out sensational. For example, the dynamic range of its visuals is so striking, I am unsure if I can name another restored Jackie Chan film whose visuals can match this type of quality. Indeed, the rich neon lighting, the nightclub footage, and the busy action sequences are consistently in 'reference quality' territory, which is not easy because all of this material has various unique qualities. Additionally, the depth and sharpness of the visuals are often exceptional. The HDR grade further enhances the strengths of these visuals as well. Some of the darker material that produces different ranges of shadow nuances, for instance, looks spectacular. The density levels of the visuals are excellent too, though I did a few quick comparisons with the 1080p presentation of the film on the Blu-ray and I think that the quality there is very similar. There are no traces of any compromising digital corrections. The entire film looks immaculate as well. So, should you consider an upgrade if you already have the previous Blu-ray release? Yes, definitely. On my system, the native 4K presentation was a thing of beauty, so I think that the upgrade in quality is both substantial and easy to appreciate.

Miracles: The Canton Godfather 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The following audio tracks are included on this release: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, Alternate Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, Home Video Mix Cantonese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, Cantonese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. Optional English and English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I chose to view the film with the original Cantonese Mono track, but tested the English track as well. The former is healthy, but it has some uneven areas, which were noticeable on the previous Blu-ray release. Obviously, this is how it was finalized. The English 5;1 track features a lot of goofy dubbing that, predictably, alters the tone and even energy of entire sequences. It can be charming, but I would not recommend using it to view the film.

Miracles: The Canton Godfather 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary - this exclusive new commentary was recorded by critics Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto for the Hong Version of Miracles. The commentators argue that Jackie Chan's best work as a director is in Miracles and then share plenty of information about its conception, production, promotion, and different versions. Also, there is good information about the action choreography, Chan's stuntwork, and various supporting actors.

• Jackie Chan - Film Director - this video appreciation piece was created by critic Steve Lawson. It was included on 88 Films' first Blu-ray release of Miracles. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Excerpts From the Taiwanese Version - presented here are trims from the Taiwanese version of Miracles that did not make it in the Hong Kong version of Miracles. In Mandarin, with English subtitles. (11 min).

• Teaser - Hong Kong teaser trailer highlighting Jackie Chan's work. With music. (5 min).

• Trailer One - Hong Kong trailer. In Cantonese, with imposed English subtitles. (5 min).

• Trailer Two - English trailer. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Trailer Three - Japanese trailer. In Japanese, with English subtitles. (2 min).

• Japanese TV Spot - in Japanese, with English subtitles. (1 min).

• Stills Gallery - a collection of archival stills.

BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary - this exclusive new commentary was recorded by critics Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto for the Hong Version of Miracles. The commentators argue that Jackie Chan's best work as a director is in Miracles and then share plenty of information about its conception, production, promotion, and different versions. Also, there is good information about the action choreography, Chan's stuntwork, and various supporting actors.

• Trailer One - Hong Kong trailer. In Cantonese, with imposed English subtitles. (5 min).

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Book - 80-page book with writings on Miracles by David West, Paul Bramhall, and William Blaik, as well as technical credits.

• Art Cards - six collectible art cards.

• Poster - double-sided poster.

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art.

Miracles: The Canton Godfather 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Because of impressive releases like this combo pack, I am convinced that eventually the damage that was done to Jackie Chan's Police Story films at L'Immagine Ritrovata will be reversed. Some other big Hong Kong films that were also restored there or at the lab's Asian branch will be revisited, too. It may take some time, but it is obvious now that plenty is changing for the better. A few years ago, 88 Films produced a wonderful Blu-ray release of Miracles. However, this combo pack introduces a brand new 4K restoration/remaster of Miracles that looks sensational on 4K Blu-ray. I am quite certain that it will remain the film's definitive home video release. RECOMMENDED.