Black Cat: Deluxe Collector's Edition – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong/Canada, 1991
Director: Stephen Shin
Writers: Bo Shun Chan, Tan-Ping Lam, Wai-Lun Lam
Cast: Jade Leung, Simon Yam, Thomas Lam

Release Date: February 28th, 2022
Approximate running time: 96 Minutes 8 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK)

"When Catherine (Jade Leung), a mentally disturbed young woman, is detained by the police after accidentally killing a truck driver, she finds herself part of a covert training system. Programmed as an assassin, having learned a host of new deadly skills, she becomes a lethal government weapon, codenamed Black Cat." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information given about the transfer, "Brand New 2K Remaster from the Original Camera Negative."

Black Cat comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 34.7 GB

Feature: 29 GB

The source used for this transfer is in immaculate shape. Colors and flesh tones look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and grain remains intact.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a LPCM mono mix in English. Both the audio tracks sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should. Included with this release are three subtitle options: removable English subtitles for the Cantonese opening credits when watching with the English language track; removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track; and removable English SDH subtitles for the Cantonese language track. It should be noted that there is some dialog in Japanese and this dialog is only translated when watching with the subtitle tracks provided for the Cantonese audio track.

Extras:

Extras for this release Tai Seng reconstructed trailer (1 minute 40 seconds), a newly reconstructed trailer (3 minutes 45 seconds, LPCM mono with Cantonese text and removable English subtitles), English language theatrical trailer (4 minutes 43 seconds, LPCM mono with English text), Hong Kong theatrical trailer (3 minutes 10 seconds, LPCM mono with Cantonese text and removable English subtitles), English language opening and closing titles (3 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM mono), an interview with actress Jade Leung (8 minutes 20 seconds, LPCM stereo Chinese with non-removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, an audio commentary with Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng, four replica Lobby Cards, reversible cover art, a double-sided foldout poster, and a forty-page perfect bound book with an interview with line producers Shan Tam and Michael Parker by Matthew Edwards.

Summary:

Although female characters in Hong Kong cinema have always been able to compete with their male counterparts. A film like Black Cat is a different breed that actually finds its inspiration from Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita. I was hesitant at first to watch Black Cat because of the numerous elements in Black Cat that mirror La Femme Nikita. Fortunately, the result is a film that is so much more than a La Femme Nikita clone.

The thing that grabbed me in the opening moments of Black Cat was its setting. Where most Hong Kong films are set in Hong Kong, Black Cat is set in North American locations. This change to a familiar location gives Black Cat a different vibe that works in its favor. It should be noted that later on, the protagonist is given jobs in Hong Kong and Japan, which return her to more familiar locations.

When discussing Black Cat, one must not overlook the importance of casting Jade Leung in the role of the protagonist. Though this is her first film, she delivers a remarkable performance that carries Black Cat. She would return to the role of Catherine/Black Cat in Black Cat 2. That said, none of the other performances left any lasting impression.

From its opening moments, Black Cat sets a relentless pace that's reinforced by tense moments, which all build up to a very satisfying conclusion. Another strength are the well-executed kill sequences. Ultimately, Black Cat is a solid action film that fans of Hong Kong cinema are sure to enjoy.

Black Cat gets an excellent release from 88 Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer