Breaking News – Chameleon Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 2004
Director: Johnnie To
Writers: Hing-Ka Chan, Tin-Shing Yip
Cast: Richie Jen, Kelly Chen, Nick Cheung, Eddie Cheung, Simon Yam, Maggie Shiu, Lam Suet

Release Date: August 31st, 2022
Approximate running time: 89 Minutes 55 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: M (Australia)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese, LPCM Stereo Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95 AUD (Australia)

"A stake-out goes wrong and a very public shoot-out leads to an official panic. When the violent, though quietly decent bandits are run to ground in a typically cramped apartment building, it sparks a media circus. Inspector Rebecca Fong (Chen) sees the whole thing as a show, as imagery to be manipulated to her advantage, but the outlaws armed with mobile phones and an internet connection, show that two can play that game." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "from the best available existing 2K masters supplied by the rightsholders."

Breaking News comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 36.2 GB

Feature: 27.4 GB

Though the source used for this transfer comes from an existing 2K master, the result is a transfer that fans of this film should be very satisfied with. The image looks crisp, the colors and flesh tones look correct, the black levels are strong, and the compression looks very good.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese, LPCM Stereo Cantonese)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese and a LPCM stereo mix in Cantonese. Both audio mixes sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should, most notably when it comes to explosions. That said, the DTS-HD 5.1 is a slightly fuller track than the LPCM stereo track. Included with this release are removable English subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a photo gallery (26 images-poster/stills), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 5 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), a deleted scene (2 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM stereo Mandarin with non-removable English subtitles), an archival behind the scenes featurette (3 minutes 11 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with director Johnnie To from Cannes 2004 (12 minutes 29 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with actors Kelly Chan and Nick Cheung from Cannes 2004 (8 minutes 31 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), Melbourne International Film Festival 2004 Q&A with Johnnie To (18 minutes 59 seconds, LPCM stereo English with English voice over for Johnnie To’s answers), a video essay titled A Propaganda Duel (6 minutes 3 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Frank Djeng, reversible cover without the ratings logo, and a sixteen page booklet (limited to first pressing) with cast & crew information, synopsis, an essay titled The Show Must Go On: Cops and Robbers in Post-Handover Hong Kong written by Hayley Scanlon, an essay titled Johnnie To: Biographical Essay written by Mike Walsh, and Critical Appreciation of Johnnie To.

Summary:

Breaking News opens with a seven-minute single-take action set piece that is reminiscent of Orson Welles' tracking shot that opens Touch of Evil. This moment of cinematic bravado lays the groundwork for a series of stylish set pieces that are prominent in Breaking News. Also, the visuals stand out because of their fluid camera movement, which drives the narrative pacing.

At the heart of Breaking News is a film that explores how information is manipulated and shaped into narratives for public consumption. And though breaking news was first made almost two decades ago, its subject matter remains relevant when viewed through the lens of media bias, which is more openly blatant than ever.

In breaking news, there are two sides at work: criminals and law enforcement. Breaking news often blurs the line between a good guy and a bad guy. With both sides trying to manipulate the outcome, even at the expense of playing by the rules.

Breaking News features a solid cast of actors, many of whom would work with Johnnie To on his other films. The entire cast delivers excellent performances in their respective roles. The standout performances were by Richie Jen (Accident) in the role of Yuen, the ringleader of the criminals trying to evade capture by hiding in an apartment, and Kelly Chen (Infernal Affairs) in the role of Inspector Rebecca Fong. The interactions between these two characters are Breaking News' greatest asset.

From a production standpoint, there isn't an area where Breaking News does not deliver. The premise is well-executed, the narrative does a superb job of maintaining momentum, and a very satisfying finale provides the perfect conclusion. Of course, when it comes to action set pieces, there are an abundance of them, and the action set pieces are spectacular.

Though Johnnie To’s filmography is a diverse range of genres, he is most remembered for his work in the action genres, especially his output of the last twenty years. And with "Breaking News", he once again delivers another thrilling action film that will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.

Breaking News is part of Chameleon Films' initial slate of titles, and if this release is any indication of what is to come, then fans of Hong Kong cinema should be thrilled. Breaking News gets an excellent release from Chameleon Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and comes with an abundance of informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer