Dogra Magra: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1988
Director: Toshio Matsumoto
Writers: Toshio Matsumoto, Atsushi Yamatoya, Kyuusaku Yumeno
Cast: Yôji Matsuda, Shijaku Katsura, Hideo Murota, Eri Misawa, Kyôko Enami 

Release Date: October 28th, 2024 (UK), October 29th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 109 Minutes 9 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"A man wakes in an asylum with no memory. Dr Wakabayashi helps him to recall his past in which he killed his bride on their wedding day. Part of his memory becomes linked to another doctor, Dr Masaki, and a manuscript, Dogra Magra. As the two doctors treat him, reality and fantasy become blurred and the patient becomes unsure of his identity or his doctors’ experiments." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Dogra Magra was transferred in High-Definition by producer Shuji Shibata and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file."

Dogra Magra comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 36.7 GB

Feature: 29.8 GB

The source looks excellent, with accurate flesh tones and a faithfully rendered distinct color palette. Image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds excellent; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (10 images - sketches/stills), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), Instructions on Ahodara Sutra (a popular Japanese chant delivered by Dr. Masaki in the film) by legendary street performer Hiroshi Sakano (16 minutes 19 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), a video essay by programmer and curator Julian Ross titled Dogra Magra Through the Eyes of Tatsuo Suzuki (13 minutes 27 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with director Toshio Matsumoto (21 minutes 23 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Toshio Matsumoto in Japanese with removable English subtitles, reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 52-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, Toshio Matsumoto’s Director’s Statement, an essay titled Late-Period Toshio Matsumoto and Dogra Magra written by Hirofumi Sakamoto, an essay titled The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword: The Life of Atsushi Yamatoya written by Jasper Sharp, Memory Traces: Interview with Producer Shuji Shibata conducted by Alexander Fee and Karin Yamamoto, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Toshio Matsumoto, who directed Funeral Parade of Roses, his most famous film, went on to make a total of four features, with Dogra Magra being the last one.

A man who killed his bride on their wedding night wakes up in an insane asylum.

I have always been fascinated by memory; though we remember things a certain way, it is not always how they occurred. Besides our memories, the other thing that shapes our worldview is identity. When it comes to better understanding Dogra Magra, memory and identity are central.

Dogra Magra is best described as a psychological mystery with some moments that veer into the realm of horror. From its opening moments, it is clear that Dogra Magra is a film that will challenge its viewers. Where most films have a protagonist who's either easy to identify with or empathize with, Dogra Magra’s is a blank slate. That said, the protagonist's memories, fragmented, resembled a puzzle box.

Despite clearly stating the who and why of Dogra Magra early on, the narrative that follows is anything but conventional. That said, it does not help that the protagonist is an unreliable narrator whose mental state is far from sound. Another area where some might find the narrative challenging is its complete disregard of time. Also, the narrative effectively blurs the line between reality and imagination.

Though there are a few secondary characters that help further the narrative, there are actually only three characters of note: Kure Ichiro, the protagonist, and professors Masaki and Wakabayashi, the two doctors trying to help him. Considering the parameters that they have to work within, all three actors are exceptional in their respective roles. The most notable cast member is Hideo Murota, a character actor whose filmography consists of 245 films and TV series. It was cool seeing him in a role that is much more than a background character.

When discussing a film like Dogra Magra, one must not overlook the roles that the visuals play. Though there is plenty of dialog that offers many clues to what's unfolding, the visuals are filled with symbolism. That said, Dogra Magra is a film that gets better with subsequent viewings; multiple viewings are required. Ultimately, with Dogra Magra, Toshio Matsumoto delivers a thought-provoking swansong that’s overflowing with surrealism.

Dogra Magra gets a definitive release from Radiance Films, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Future Cops: Webstore Exclusive – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1993
Director: Wong Jing
Writer: Wong Jing
Cast: Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Aaron Kwok, Chingmy Yau, Dicky Cheung, Simon Yam, Ekin Cheng, Winnie Lau, Charlie Yeung, Andy Hui, Ken Lo, Billy Chow

Release Date: October 21st, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 94 Minutes 58 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 12 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: OOP (Limited Edition Webstore Exclusive 1000 copies)

"In the year 2043, the evil crime lord The General (Ken Lo, Drunken Master II) has been imprisoned for his heinous crimes. His loyal followers Kent (Ekin Cheng, Young and Dangerous), Thai King (Billy Chow, High Risk) and Toyota (William Duen, Crime Story) have a plan to free him, though: they will travel back in time and eliminate the Judge who sentenced him. They are followed into the past by Lung (Kwok), Broomhead (Cheung), Ti Man (Lau) and Sing (Yam), “Future Cops” who intend to keep The General in jail where he belongs. But as both cops and criminals arrive in the year 1993 to search for the Judge – who back then was just a teenager – they find themselves embroiled not just in a battle for the future… but high-school drama, too." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "This release of Future Cops is presented from a studio supplied HD transfer that Eureka had no involvement in. Sadly the master is just below the level of quality that we would normally expect. Despite our persistent efforts, the studio would not allow us to restore the film. As this may be the last opportunity for this cult classic to get a physical media release in the UK, we have decided to proceed but on a very limited number and as a Eureka store exclusive. We don’t believe that the slight imperfections in the feature master will affect your enjoyment of this wacky martial arts extravaganza."

Future Cops comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 34.4 GB

Feature: 26.8 GB

Digital noise reduction has given the source an over processed look. That said, the source looks clean, flesh tones and colors look correct, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese with removable English subtitles. The audio fares better, dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and action sequences sound robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (4 minutes 8 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), a documentary titled Super Street Culture Turbo (28 minutes 23 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and UDON Entertainment founder and CEO Erik Ko, an audio commentary with action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, an O-card slipcase, a double sided poster, and a 16-page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Street Fighter Man Arcade Adventures with Wong Jing and Future Cops written by James Oliver, archival images and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Directed by Wong Jing, a prolific producer and director who is now into his fifth decade of making cinema in Hong Kong. Anyone who's familiar with Hong Kong's heyday of the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s is sure to have seen one of his films. And though he often takes on the role of producer, most films he is associated with have his distinctive bombastic style.

Cops from the future are sent to the past to look for and protect a future judge against The General’s evil minions.

Though Future Cops is loosely based on Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, it's an unofficial adaptation. Future Cops was Wong Jing’s second live-action film to feature characters inspired by the Street Fighter series; his first adaptation was City Hunter. That said, Wong Jing’s cinematic style perfectly suits these types of films.

Future Cops does not require you to know anything about Street Fighter to enjoy the insanity that unfolds. Though the narrative begins in the future, I would not call Future Cops a sci-fi film since most of it takes place in the present. That said, Future Cops is best described as an action/comedy with minimal futuristic elements.

Future Cops’ cast is a who's who of Hong Kong cinema. And when it comes to the performances, the entire cast is exceptional in their respective roles. The cast enthusiasm and dedication to the story that unfolds ensure there is never a dull moment. That said, it's difficult to single out any performance since there are no weak links.

When it comes to humor, nothing is rooted in reality, and it's best described as overexaggerated. Also, Future Cops is overflowing with sight gags, and virtually all of these deliver in spades. The scene where Andy Lau and Chingmy Yau’s characters go inside of a video game and become Luigi and Mario is one of the more memorable sight gags. This sequence culminates with Chingmy Yau’s character taking too many orgasm pills.

Wong Jing is a filmmaker who always makes the most of what he has to work with, and though there are some things that do not hold up in Future Cops, they are easy to overlook. The fight scenes are inventive, and the stunt work is impressive. Also, there is a manic energy that drives the narrative, rarely giving the viewer a moment to recover from the previous moment of humor. Ultimately, Future Cops is a highly entertaining blend of action and humor that fans of Hong Kong cinema should thoroughly appreciate.

Despite the limitations of the transfer, Eureka Video has put together a first-rate release, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Japan Organized Crime Boss: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1969
Director: Kinji Fukasaku
Writers: Kinji Fukasaku, Fumio Kônami, Norio Osada
Cast: Kôji Tsuruta, Tomisaburô Wakayama, Bunta Sugawara, Noboru Andô, Michitarô Mizushima, Ryôhei Uchida, Sanae Nakahara, Seizaburô Kawazu, Yoshi Katô 

Release Date: November 18th, 2024 (UK), November 19th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 96 Minutes 17 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Two major yakuza factions from Tokyo and Osaka battle over control of Yokohama, using local gangs as their proxies. Amid this violent struggle, Tsukamoto (Koji Tsuruta, Big Time Gambling Boss), the head of one of the local gangs, is released from an eight-year prison sentence. The feud forces him into action, but he learns that those pulling the strings have political connections and that he is up against overwhelming forces." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New 4K restoration by Toei Company. Japan Organized Crime Boss was transferred in High-Definition by Toei Company, Ltd. and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file."

Japan Organized Crime Boss comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39.7 GB

Feature: 26.2 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, mage clarity and compression are solid, contrast and black levels are strong throughout, and there does not appear to be any digital noise reduction. Transfer-wise, my only other source of reference is Eureka Video’s abysmal 2003 DVD, and this new release is a vastly superior presentation in every way.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds excellent; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 19 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), a video essay on Koji Tsuruta’s collaborations with Kinji Fukasaku by yakuza cinema expert Nathan Stuart titled Ceremonies of Male Bonding (23 minutes 32 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with yakuza film historian Akihiko Ito (15 minutes 6 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with Kinji Fukasaku (34 minutes 1 second, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 22-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled A Transitional Triumph written by Stuart Galbraith IV, an archival review of Japan Organized Crime Boss written by Jun Ishiko, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Though Kinji Fukasaku is most remembered for his contributions to Yakuza cinema, his forays into this genre can be broken down into films before and after Japan Organized Crime Boss. Where Yakuza films up to that point were indiscernible, Japan Organized Crime Boss is a revolutionary film that forever changed this genre. These changes were not so much about the way he portrayed characters as it was about the way he told their stories.

The yakuza world must choose a side when its most ruthless clan, Osaka’s Danno organization, decides they want to assume complete control over all of Japan’s underworld. After they successfully took over several territories, the Danno clan set their sights on Yokohama, a busy port district. Around the same time, Tsukamoto was released from prison after serving eight years of incarceration, and he decided to leave the world of the yakuza behind. Before Tsukamoto can make an exit, the Danno clan murders his boss, forcing him to assume control of his clan. Will Tsukamoto be able to convince the Danno clan of a truce, or are they determined to have an all-out war?

As mentioned before, Japan Organized Crime Boss ushered in a new kind of Yakuza cinema. With it, Kinji Fukasaku would create a template that he and other filmmakers would return to throughout the 1970s. A few of these changes happen immediately; in the opening moments, Kinji Fukasaku uses still images and voiceover to quickly fill in the backstory. Other new elements are the use of on-screen text to introduce characters and documentary-style handheld visuals.

Though most filmmakers surround themselves with a core of actors, when it comes to Toei Yakuza films, this is even more so. That said, it is not only the leads; even secondary roles are filled with recognizable faces, like Noboru Andô (By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him), who has a small but pivotal role as a hitman. The most memorable performance is Tomisaburô Wakayama’s (Lone Wolf and Cub) portrayal of Miyahara, a drug-addicted crime boss, while Kôji Tsuruta’s (Sympathy for the Underdog) portrayal of Tsukamoto is the heart and soul of the Japan Organized Crime Boss.

Kinji Fukasaku’s films are known for their kenotic feel and brutal depiction of violence, and in this regard, Japan Organized Crime Boss delivers in spades. In a film filled with brutality and carnage, there is never a shortage of memorable moments. A few that standout are a scene where Tsukamoto takes a beating from Miyahara, who slashes his face, and a gut-punch finale that serves as a perfect coda.

Content wise, Japan Organized Crime Boss examines the social ills that plagued postwar Japan and the yakuza’s stronghold on the country after the war. This is also a central theme that runs throughout most of Kinji Fukasaku’s filmography, adding more weight to the genre pictures he was working on. That said, Japan Organized Crime Boss never stray far away from the elements that define the life of a yakuza, like being bound by their honor. Ultimately, Japan Organized Crime Boss is an exceptional film that's overshadowed by Kinji Fukasaku’s later forays into Yakuza cinema.

Japan Organized Crime Boss gets an exceptional release from Radiance Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: South Korea, 1978
Director: Ki-young Kim
Writer: Mun-woong Lee
Cast: Ja-ok Kim, Jeong-cheol Kim, Man Kim, Kung-won Nam, Hwa-shi Lee

Release Date: October 22nd, 2019
Approximate Running Time: 117 Minutes 36 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Korean
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"Young-gul, a lonely and rather morbid student in late 1970’s South Korea. Narrowly surviving a murder-suicide attempt by a woman wearing a butterfly pendant, he next finds himself besieged by a seemingly insane bookseller who claims he can never die. Even after Young-gul burns the man’s body his skeleton comes back to taunt him. As if that weren’t enough, the poor student then finds himself the victim of a beautiful thousand year old woman (she looks about 25) who says she is hungry and want to eat his liver…" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about this transfer, "4K transfer from film negative."

Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 38.6 GB

Feature: 28.6 GB

The source looks great; any print debris is minor. Colors look very good, the image looks crisp, black levels are strong, compression is solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Korean with removable English subtitles. Though dialog always comes through clearly and everything sounds balanced, there is some mild background hiss.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a Mondo Macabro preview reel, an interview with author and film critic Darcy Paquet (14 minutes 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actress Hwa-shi Lee (11 minutes 22 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Korean with removable English subtitles), two interviews with producer Jin-woo Jeong – part one (16 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Korean with removable English subtitles) part two (12 minutes 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Korean with removable English subtitles), an interview with cinematographer Jong-mo Koo (6 minutes 26 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Korean with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with Kenneth Brorsson and Paul Quinn of the “What’s Korean Cinema?” podcast.

Summary:

Ki-young Kim directed Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death. He is also known for directing The Housemaid (1960), The Insect Woman and Io Island. Jin-woo Jeong produced Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death. He’s a director known for The Secret Meeting, Ran’s Elegy, and Student Boarder.

At the heart of Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death is a poignant tale about the human condition. The plot revolves around a protagonist who has lost the will to live after near-death experience. And the further he gets away from that tragic event, his will to survive increases.

Though Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death has many fantastical moments, there’s so much more to it than a series of fantastical moments. Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death features a walking skeleton that torments the protagonist, a skeleton that comes back to life as a 25-year-old woman, and grave robbers who remove corpse skulls.

Without a doubt, the visuals are Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death’s greatest asset. The Gothic-infused visuals are overflowing with atmosphere, and they do a superb job reinforcing the foreboding mood. Another strength of Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death is how effectively she uses symbolism.

Performance-wise, the cast is all very good, especially Hwa-shi Lee’s haunting portrayal of a 2,000-year-old skeleton that comes back to life. Other notable performances include Jeong-cheol Kim, who portrays Young-gul, and Ja-ok Kim in the role of Kyungmi, the suicidal daughter of a professor who collects human skulls.

From a production standpoint, Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death is an extraordinary film that succeeds despite its limited resources. The narrative effectively brings the premise to life, and it pays sufficient attention to significant moments. That said, Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death’s weakest link is its primitive special effects. Ultimately, Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death is a one-of-a kind cinema oddity that's overflowing with imagination.

Mondo Macabro gives Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death a first-rate release that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Suddenly in the Dark – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: South Korea, 1981
Director: Young Nam Ko
Writer: Sam-yuk Yoon
Cast: Il-bong Yun, Yeong-ae Kim, Ki-seon Lee, Hye-ri Han

Release Date: February 14th, 2017
Approximate Running Time: 100 Minutes 21 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Korean
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: OOP

"A woman’s idyllic middle-class life is disrupted when her husband brings home a beautiful young orphan to be their maid. At first she welcomes the pretty girl, in fact seems oddly fixated on her, but soon comes to suspect the girl of having an affair with her husband. At the same time odd, unexplained incidents - most involving the maid’s mysterious wooden doll - began to make her question her own sanity." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this transfer, "HD transfer from film negative."

Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 21.7 GB

Feature: 18.6 GB

The source is in excellent shape; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Korean with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced and range wise ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a Mondo Macabro preview reel, a Korean VHS Cover Art Gallery, an interview with producer David Suh (12 minutes 27 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Korean with removable English subtitles), and an interview with film critic Kim Bong-seok (21 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Korean with removable English subtitles) who discusses the history of Korean Horror cinema.

Summary:

A wife loses her grip on reality when she begins to suspect that her husband is having an affair with the housekeeper. Is she losing her mind, or will she find that her suspicions were right? 

Though modern Korean cinema is most known for its revenge-themed films, horror cinema in more recent years has been gaining traction. When it comes to Korean horror films made before the millennium, they are not widely known or available to western audiences. This brings us to Suddenly in the Dark, a film that comes from South Korea’s golden age for horror cinema. 

Young Nam Ko directed Suddenly in the Dark. He was a prolific filmmaker who directed over 100 films. That said, what makes Suddenly in the Dark so impressive is that it was his one and only foray into the horror genre. And when it comes to exploiting horror genre elements, Young Nam Ko does a phenomenal job.

When discussing Suddenly in the Dark, the one area that immediately springs to mind are its stylistic visuals, which are reinforced by a robust color scheme. Standout moments include a scene where the housekeeper is taking a bath shortly after her arrival and the wife assists her. Another standout moment includes a scene where the wife almost dies after someone accidentally leaves the gas stove on. When it comes to memorable moments, there are none more memorable than the tour de force finale.

Though everyone is very good in their respective roles, Yeong-ae Kim's (Confession of Murder) portrayal of the wife is the heart and soul of Suddenly in the Dark. Her character is put through an emotional roller coaster, and she delivers a pitch-perfect portrayal of a woman having a nervous breakdown. Another performance of note is Ki-seon Lee in the role of the mysterious housekeeper who carries around creepy-looking dolls. For someone who had not acted before, she delivers a remarkable performance in her only onscreen credit.

From a production standpoint, Suddenly in the Dark is a film where everyone involved is clicking on all cylinders. The way the premise of Suddenly in the Dark is executed sets it apart, despite familiar ground being covered. The well-constructed narrative does a superb job building momentum by maintaining tension. Ultimately, Suddenly in the Dark is a well-crafted horror film that's overflowing with a forbidding atmosphere.

Mondo Macabro gives Suddenly in the Dark an excellent release that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Fist of Legend – 88 Films (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1994
Director: Gordon Chan
Writers: Gordon Chan, Lam Kee-to, Kim Yip
Cast: Jet Li, Chin Siu-ho, Shinobu Nakayama, Billy Chau, Yasuaki Kurata, Paul Chun, Yuen Cheung-yan, Ada Choi

Release Date: June 24th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 102 Minutes 6 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono Cantonese Alternate
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region B (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: £29.99 (UK)

"In the most electrifying performance of his celebrated career, international superstar, Jet Li, plays Chen Zhen - the matchless number-one student of Chinas preeminent Kung Fu master, Fok Yun-gap. Upon returning home to Shanghai after a period of study abroad, he discovers that his homeland has been devastated by a brutal Japanese occupation, and that his once proud martial arts academy has fallen into disarray following the untimely demise of his beloved Master - allegedly in a challenge match with a member of the Japanese Black Dragon Clan. Disgusted by the official verdict on his teachers death, Chen embarks on a heroic and uncompromising one-man quest to uncover the true killer and restore dignity to his fallen people-a journey that will bring him into deadly confrontation with Japans most formidable fighters." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (4K UHD), 4/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 4K Remaster from the original negatives".

Fist of Legend comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 81.8 GB

Feature: 73.9 GB

The source looks great; it's a massive upgrade over this film's previous home media releases. Flesh tones look healthy, color saturation is perfect, image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid. That said, despite grain being present, it looks managed and not organic.

Fist of Legend comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.2 GB

Feature: 30 GB

The Blu-ray uses the same source as the 4K UHD does for its transfer.

Audio: 5/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono Cantonese Alternate)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese labeled alternate mix. Additionally, there is dialogue in English and Japanese. Both audio tracks sound excellent; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should. Included are two removable English subtitles, one for each Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include an audio commentary with Hong Kong film expert Frank Djeng.

Extras for the Blu-ray disc include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), five deleted scenes (5 minutes 8 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Mandarin with burnt-in English and Cantonese subtitles), a Karate Seminar with Kurata Yasuaki (26 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English and Japanese with removable English subtitles for Japanese), an interview with actor Kurata Yasuaki titled Way of the Warrior (29 minutes 41 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with director Gordon Chan titled The Man Behind the Legend (35 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Chin Siu-Ho titled Brothers in Arms (23 minutes 19 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview titled A look at Fist of Legend with director Brett Ratner and film critic Elvis Mitchell (9 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Hong Kong film expert Frank Djeng.

Other extras include reversible cover art, A3 fold-out poster (limited to the first pressing), a double walled silver-board slipcase (limited to the first pressing), and a 28-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with an essay titled Fist of Legend a Celebration of Martial Arts Culture written by Tom Cunliffe, and archival images.

Summary:

Gordon Chan directed Fist of Legend. He is also known for directing Fight Back to School, Royal Tramp, Royal Tramp 2, and Thunderbolt.

A martial arts student returns to Shanghai when he hears about his teacher dying in a fight with a Japanese fighter.

Fist of Legend is a remake of Bruce Lee’s Fists of Fury, a film that spawned three unofficial sequels. Though there have been countless attempts to recapture the essence of Bruce Lee, all have failed. Besides trying to emulate Bruce Lee, attempting to remake any of his films is a formidable task; fortunately, Fist of Legend is a film that's molded around its stars strengths instead of being another caricature of Bruce Lee.

The biggest difference between Fist of Legend and Fists of Fury is that the former introduces a Japanese love interest for the protagonist, Chen Zhen. This adds a dynamic to Fists of Fury's already solid foundation. This relationship is pivotal; when those who were once close to them turn their backs on him, her support for Chen Zhen never waivers. Their relationship also highlights the hostile relationship between the Chinese and their Japanese occupiers. Chen Zhen's closest friends see her as an enemy solely because she is Japanese. Though the Japanese are Chen Zhen’s main foe, a conflict that arises between him and his murdered master's son leads to many tense moments.

Some films in Jet Li's (Tai Chi Master) early career rely heavily on his martial arts skills, leading us to focus more on his action abilities than his acting talents. That said, Fist of Legend is an early example of a film that gives him equal time to shine dramatically and psychically. Besides Jet Li’s solid portrayal of Chen Zhen, the rest of the cast are all excellent in their respective roles.

The fight sequences are exceptional; they highlight Chen Zhen's ability to deliver devastating martial arts blows. Though none of the fight scenes are lacking, there are two that standout; the first sees Chen Zhen square off against a Japanese fighter sent to Shanghai to eliminate him, and the other is the finale where Chen Zhen squares off against a Japanese general with equally powerful impact blows. These two moments are knock-down drag-out moments that will leave the viewer as exhausted as the fighters.

The narrative perfectly balances exposition and action. And when it comes to pacing, there are no issues, as the narrative does a superb job building momentum. Also, despite its familiarity with Fists of Fury, the narrative never comes off as predictable because of the new additions to the story. Ultimately, Fist of Legend is an exemplary example of how to remake a film that’s revered.

Fist of Legend gets a solid release from 88 Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer