6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A traffic accident brings together the lives of a wanted criminal, a police sergeant, a public prosecutor and her daughter. In capturing wanted criminal Zhang Yidong, Sergeant Tang Fei gets involved in a gunfight and car accident that puts the criminal in a coma. But in the process he also crippled a fellow officer, and mistakenly shot dead the elder daughter of public prosecutor and single mother, Gao Min. Unable to handle the guilt, Tang Fei succumbs to a fog of pain. Three months later, the criminal awakens from his coma, and Gao Min, who had been working hard on bringing him to justice, insists he stand trial immediately.
Starring: Nicholas Tse, Nick Cheung, Kai-Chi Liu, Philip Keung, Jingchu ZhangForeign | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Cantonese: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Cantonese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Mandarin: Dolby Digital 5.1
Mandarin (Traditional), Mandarin (Simplified), English, Malay
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
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.
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).
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 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.
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.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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