6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A cop turns into a monster after being gunned down and electrocuted in a Triad shootout.
Starring: Fui-On Shing, Siu-Fung Wong, Wai-Kit Tse, Gloria Yip, Jun KunimuraForeign | 100% |
Horror | 29% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Cantonese: LPCM 2.0 Mono
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
One of the cooler things about many Asian cultures in my personal estimation is their recognition of forces in everyday life that might be termed "supernatural", aspects that Westerners in particular may frankly tend to "pooh pooh" at times. Though of course broad generalizations like this never suffice to completely capture the zeitgeist (or whatever the Cantonese equivalent of that term might be in this particular instance) of any given culture, it's probably inarguable that, for example, we literal minded Westerners tend not to look for "hidden" signs and meanings in quite the same way as Easterners do. One evidence of that is the glut of supernaturally themed films that have emanated from both China and Japan for decades, where ghosts or spirits regularly inhabit the same spaces as humans or where divine powers are either aiding in or preventing some character from achieving some goal. The Blue Jean Monster is a fun if occasionally squirm inducing kinda sorta comedy where a Hong Kong policeman named Tsu Hsiang (Fui-On Shing) apparently is killed in an accident while on a case, only to have a series of, well, supernatural events intercede, whereby he is "reanimated" in a kind of "friendly Frankenstein's monster" way. The fact that Hsiang is first seen at a shrine where an elderly woman is freaked out that she has angered the gods and will be reaping the karmic (or whatever the Cantonese equivalent of that term might be in this particular instance) consequences already indicates a kind of "metaphysical" aspect to the story.
The Blue Jean Monster is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Kind of interestingly, 88 Films doesn't include any technical information on the packaging (that I could find, anyway), but does offer a "Brand New 2K Restoration in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio from the original negatives" comment on its website. The presentation is generally very nice looking, though this has some "old school" composited effects where there are noticeable downturns in clarity and upticks in grain. The non-optical moments offer typically excellent clarity, with some commendable fine detail levels, and a palette that is nicely suffused and natural looking (some night or day for night material can be skewed a bit toward the blue side of things). I noticed no major signs of age related wear and tear.
The Blue Jean Monster features LPCM 2.0 Mono in the original Cantonese. The film has some fun sound effects and a kind of sparkly synth laden score from Alan Tsui, all of which are presented with good fidelity and no problems. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout, even in some of the increasingly hyperbolic action sequences. Optional English subtitles are available.
The Blue Jean Monster is unabashedly silly a lot of the time, but it delivers more often than not in the comedy and action departments in particular. Technical merits are generally solid and the few on disc supplements enjoyable. Recommended.
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