Odd Couple – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1979
Director: Chia-Yung Liu (Lau Kar-wing)
Writers: Raymond C. Lai, Raymond Pak-Ming Wong
Cast: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Ka-Yan Leung, Chia-Yung Liu, Karl Maka, Mars, Dean Shek

Release Date: March 21st, 2022
Approximate running time: 95 Minutes 56 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese, DTS-HD 5.1 English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £18.99 (UK)

"Two ageing masters of the spear and sword engage in an epic mountaintop battle every ten years, but the outcome invariably ends in a draw. Realizing that neither one of them will ever outclass the other, they each agree to take on a younger student and train them to champion their cause, thus putting an end to their longstanding rivalry." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "brand new 2K restoration."

Odd Couple comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 40.6 GB

Feature: 28.5 GB

The source used for this transfer looks great; colors are nicely saturated, the image looks crisp and black levels are strong throughout.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese), 4/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 English)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English. The Cantonese language track is in great shape; the dialog comes through clearly and the action sequences sound robust. The English language track is also in great shape. Included with this release are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track and a second removable English subtitle tack for Chinese titles and text. 

Extras:

Extras for this release include theatrical trailer (4 minutes 28 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), home video trailer (1 minute 39 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Bryan “Beardy” Leung Kar-yan (22 minutes 22 seconds, LPCM stereo Chinese with non-removable English subtitles), an archival interview with director Lau Kar-wing (26 minutes 55 seconds, LPCM stereo Chinese with non-removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and martial artist/actor Robert “Bobby” Samuels, an audio commentary with action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema, a limited-edition O-card slipcase (2000 copies) and a limited-edition booklet [2000 copies] with cast & crew information, an essay written by James Oliver and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Odd Couple pairs Sammo Kam-Bo Hung with Chia-Yung Liu (Lau Kar-wing). Other films they collaborated on include Warriors Two, Knockabout, and Skinny Tiger and Fatty Tiger.

The narrative revolves around two aging martial artists who are rivals and team up against a shared enemy. Along the way, these two martial arts masters take on proteges who look like younger versions of themselves. 

The narrative can be divided into three sections: The opening act focuses on a series of opponents who take on these two masters, while the middle act focuses on them training their proteges, and the last act sees them and their protegees taking on their nemesis.

Odd Couple, like a lot of martial arts films from this era, relies heavily on humor. Some of the humor comes from the characters' haircuts and facial hair. Also, humor can be found in the English language track dubbing. And humor plays a role in the fight sequences.

The main attraction of Odd Couple is its two leads, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung in the duel role of King of the Sword and Yao, the King of the Spear's Pupil, and Chia-Yung Liu (Lau Kar-wing) in the duel roles of King of the Spear and King of the Sword's Pupil. Their onscreen chemistry carries this film.

From a production standpoint, the premise is well-executed, and the narrative does a good job of balancing exposition and fight sequences. And though the fight sequences are well-executed, they are not as memorable as the fight sequences from Sammo Kam-Bo Hung and Chia-Yung Liu’s (Lau Kar-wing) other collaborations. That said, Odd Couple saves its best action sequence for its finale. Ultimately, Odd Couple is an entertaining mix of action and humor.

Odd Couple gets a first-rate release from Eureka Video that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of informative extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer