Project A 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Project A 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 12, 2024

Note: This film is available on 4K UHD disc as part of The Project A Collection 4K from 88 Films.

Another informative and mile a minute commentary by Frank Djeng included in this set mentions how Jackie Chan wasn't quite "Jackie Chan" yet when the Project A films came along, and in fact it was those very films which helped to finally cement Chan's very unique status in the martial arts universe. Chan's completely distinctive blend of outrageous stunts combined with breezy comedy (both physical and verbal) found a near perfect outlet in Project A, and the film's overwhelming success proved that Chan's sense about how he should be presented on screen was completely correct. If there is a bit of that oft mentioned sophomore slump at play with the follow up film, the two offerings together are great examples of how Chan managed to connect with his relatively early audiences, establishing a template of sorts that would carry him through countless other productions. As of the writing of this review, only the first film has had a previous release on Blu-ray in Region A, but 88 Films is bringing out two sets simultaneously, this standalone 4K set, and another 1080 release which does not include some significant non disc swag that is included in this particular release, which may make this version the default choice for some who might not even have 4K setups.

As mentioned above, Project A had a previous 1080 release in Region A courtesy of the often "budget line" Echo Bridge Entertainment. Martin Liebman's Project A Blu-ray review provides plot information and Marty's assessment of that disc's technical merits. Those wanting to compare and contrast my reactions to this release and 88 Films' 1080 release may find some salient information in my Project A Blu-ray review of the 88 Films version.

Project A 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc in this package, which I frankly think gives a more accurate representation of the palette in particular, rather than screenshots sourced from the 4K UHD disc which by necessity would be downscaled to 1080 and SDR.

Project A is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of 88 Films with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. This 4K presentation is arguably even better suffused than the already excellent 1080 version 88 Films is releasing simultaneously with this one, and detail levels are also generally excellent throughout as well, especially on the costumes and sets. As I mention in our Project A Blu-ray review of the 1080 release by 88 Films, the slight but noticeable correction of the aspect ratio when compared to the older 1080 release from Echo Bridge is an obvious if minor improvement, but the overall color timing of this presentation is much more accurate looking, and clarity levels also see clear improvement. Dolby Vision / HDR may arguably not add a ton of new highlight information, but at least the perception of suffusion is probably increased from the already great looking 1080 presentation by 88 Films. This is another shot on film production where I'm frankly not sure the increased resolution of this 4K version is always a friend to sometimes rather heavy grain. The opening "strategy" session is a good example, where gritty black grain can almost look like insects crawling around the white walls of the backdrop. Things improve markedly in terms of tighter resolution when some of the outdoor material becomes more prevalent. My 4K score is 4.25.

Project A 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Project A bursts onto Blu-ray with a veritable glut of audio options, including both Cantonese and Mandarin in Dolby Atmos or DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. A DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono English dub is also included. You can't really go wrong with any of these, though sync is almost hilariously loose on whatever language you choose, so much so that lip movements can be completely off from both the sounds emanating from them as well as the various lengths of lip movements vs. spoken material. The Atmos tracks may admittedly not be models of actual overhead activity, but they provide a rather fulsomely immersive rendering of the score in particular and the side and rear channels can intermittently spring into engagement during the action scenes. All of this said, all of the tracks are anchored front and center pretty noticeably. I'd rate the Cantonese as the most forceful of the tracks, and in fact the mono track in particular struck me as almost too loud. The English track is pretty wet and can show a more brash high end. Optional English subtitles are available.

Project A 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K UHD Disc

• Hong Kong Version (1:45:45) and Extended Version (1:55:22) are available under the Play Film menu.


• Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng and FJ DeSanta accompanies the Hong Kong cut.


• Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng accompanies the Hong Kong cut.


• Lunar Year Introduction (HD; 3:32) offers Jackie Chan. Subtitled in English.


• Hong Kong Trailer (HD; 4:00)


• English Trailer (HD; 2:22)

1080 Disc

• Hong Kong Version (1:45:45) and Extended Version (1:55:22) are available under the Play Film menu.


• Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng and FJ DeSanta accompanies the Hong Kong cut.


• Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng accompanies the Hong Kong cut.


• Dancing with Danger (HD; 15:26) is an interview with "stunt god" Mars Cheung. Subtitled in English.


• Master Killer (HD; 22:03) is an interview with grandmaster Lee Hoi-san. Subtitled in English.


• The Elusive Dragon (HD; 18:07) is an interview with Yuen Biao. Subtitled in English.


• The Pirates Den (HD; 13:57) is an interview with Dick Wei. Subtitled in English.


• Can't Stop the Music (HD; 17:27) is an interview with composer Michael Lai.


• Project Collector with Paul Dre (HD; 16:17) is a fun tour of an avid collector's collection.


• Plan B - Writer Edward Tang on Project A (HD; 15:11)


• Outtakes (HD; 24:03)


• Japanese Version Ending (HD; 2:24)


• The Making of Project A (HD; 11:45) has a bunch of silent candid footage that plays to cues from the soundtrack.


• Lunar Year Introduction (HD; 3:32) offers Jackie Chan. Subtitled in English.


• Hong Kong Trailer (HD; 4:00)


• English Trailer (HD; 2:22)


• Stills Gallery (HD)

Project A 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Project A is a hugely enjoyable film and a major high point in Jackie Chan's still relatively early filmography. This 4K presentation takes many of the strengths of 88 Films' already excellent 1080 presentation and improves on them, notably in the areas of palette suffusion. Those with an aversion to at times very heavy grain may well prefer the 1080 discs included in this set, but one way or the other, technical merits are generally secure and the on disc supplements very appealing. The non disc swag included with these 4K UHD discs is no doubt going to be another enticement for many fans. Recommended.