Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

The Beast Stalker Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 10, 2009

Freshly screened at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, Dante Lam’s “The Beast Stalker” (2008) is an intense, impressively polished and well acted action thriller. Veteran Nick Cheung delivers a memorable performance that earned him the coveted Best Actor award granted by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society (2009). The film also boasts spectacular action scenes choreographed by legendary stuntman Bruce Law. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed is courtesy of US-based Tai Seng Entertainment. Region-Free.

Nicholas Tse is Sergeant Tong, a man on a mission.

Those of you who have already seen Hong Kong director Dante Lam’s Beast Cops (1998), a gritty thriller starring Anthony Wong Chau-Sang and Michael Wong, will not be surprised by his The Beast Stalker. The film reveals similarly well polished action sequences effectively infused with light dark humor that blends well with its depressing subject matter.

Nicholas Tse (Dragon Tiger Gate) is a police officer on a mission to save a young girl who has been kidnapped from her mother (Zhang Jingchu, Red River), an aspiring lawyer in a possession of documents that can put behind bars a powerful triad boss. The kidnapper (Nick Cheung, Breaking News) is a contract killer with a very interesting past, which is revealed to us through a collage of memory flashbacks. The two engage in a dramatic chase that culminates with a universal message about love and forgiveness.

The Beast Stalker opens up with a crucial set of scenes where something terrible happens. I won’t reveal to you what it is so that when you see the film its dramatic effect remains as intense as possible, though I will say that it certainly justifies Lam’s fractured storytelling. There are four key characters in it – the cop, the lawyer, her daughter and her kidnapper – who are gradually introduced and brought together.

There are two main themes in The Beast Stalker; one is about redemption, the other about revenge. Tse’s character is what unites them. During the first half of the film, we see that he is a broken man filled with guilt. His actions are driven by his desire to make up for a terrible mistake, which has irreversibly changed the manner in which he perceives reality.

During the second half of The Beast Stalker, we learn more about the kidnapper – his past is revealed to us through a series of episodes that highlight his strengths and weaknesses. We also learn more about the lawyer and her daughter, though they are hardly ever the focus of attention.

Lam’s film follows a familiar route but it does so with plenty of style that elevates it above other similarly themed Hong Kong action thrillers. The juxtaposition of different stories – going back and forth between past and present truly allows us to better understand the main protagonists and their decisions – that may seem too detached from each other at first is effectively done and of key importance. Indeed, with the exception of the overly sentimental relationship between the cop and the little girl, The Beast Stalker reveals few flaws, if any.

The cast is also solid. Cheung undoubtedly deserves the Best Actor award the Hong Kong Film Critics Society recognized him with earlier this year. His performance is intense and very convincing. The finale in particular isn’t a disaster precisely because of his contribution. Tse is a respectable opponent, though a lot of the clichéd lines he utters once he is reunited with the little girl could have been avoided. Jingchu’s beauty is at times overly distracting, but male audiences should be able to cope with it. Cinematographers Cheng Man Po and Tse Cheung-to’s panoramic vistas from Hong Kong’s busy streets are stylishly lensed and full of color.

The Beast Stalker Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (slightly altered from its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1), encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Dante Lam's The Beast Stalker arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Tai Seng Entertainment.

Tai Seng Entertainment appear to have licensed the print for The Beast Stalker from Chinese distributors Emperor Motion Picture Limited. In fact, I am fairly certain that the Asian release, distributed by Joy Sales, and this US release are identical. This being said, the AVC-encoded transfer is mostly pleasing. Contrast is strong, clarity consistent and print damage not an issue of concern. The color-scheme is also satisfactory – blacks, greens, blues, and reds are rich and well saturated while yellows and whites look natural. There are a few scenes where I noticed a few minor color fluctuations (mostly during the footage from the apartment building where the beast is hiding) but, overall, I don't believe that these would have a dramatic impact on your viewing experience. There is, however, a bit of digital noise that pops up here and there that may annoy the more sensitive amongst you. Nonetheless, most of the basics for this transfer are intact, and I don't have a problem recommending it to you. (Note: This is a Region-Free release which you will be able to play on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

The Beast Stalker Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1 and Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1. I opted for the Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the remaining two tracks for the purpose of this review.

The Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track will not test the muscles of your audio setup, but it will definitely let you to enjoy the film in a manner your local theater arguably cannot replicate. There is a steady dose of activity in the rear channels that I heard, a solid but not overpowering bass and absolutely no audio distortions to report here (cracks, pops, or hissings). There are quite a few very intense action scenes different sorts of collisions as well as shootouts are handled proficiently by the Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. On the other hand, the dialog is crystal clear and very easy to follow.

The Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1 track is an entirely different story. There are a few obvious balance issues that I detected with it as well as a weaker bass. The surround activity is also not as effective, though I must note that it isn't disappointing either. On the other hand, the dialog is just as easy to follow. For the record, Tai Seng Entertainment have provided optional English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Bahasa (Malaysia) subtitles for the main feature as well as optional Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and English subtitles for the director's commentary.

The Beast Stalker Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The only extra on this Blu-ray disc is a commentary with the director of The Beast Stalker, Dante Lam, script writer Jack Ng and production designer Yau Wai-ming. The three spend plenty of time talking about the cast, the production history of the film and specific scenes from it that proved to be rather difficult to shoot. Furthermore, the casting of Nicholas Tse appears to have been a major topic of discussion in Hong Kong, and Jack Ng explains in detail why. The relationship between Nicholas Tse's character and the little girl is also thoroughly addressed. For the record, the commentary arrives with optional Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and English subtitles.

The Beast Stalker Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dante Lam's The Beast Stalker does not break new ground, but it will surely appeal to those of you looking for a solid action thriller with enough style. The region-free disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Tai Seng Entertainment, is of good quality. However, it is not yet available for sale in the United States. Recommended.