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Tiger Cage I-III: Limited Edition – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Hong Kong, 1988 (Tiger Cage), Hong Kong, 1990 (Tiger Cage II), Hong Kong, 1991 (Tiger Cage III)
Director: Yuen Woo-ping (All Films)
Cast: Simon Yam, Carol Cheng, Jacky Cheung, Irene Wan, Donnie Yen, Bryan Leung, Ng Man-tat, Wang Lung-wei (Tiger Cage), Donnie Yen, Rosamund Kwan, David Wu, Robin Shou, Garry Chow, Carol Cheng, Cynthia Khan, Lo Lieh (Tiger Cage II), Sharla Cheung Man, Kwok Leung Cheung, Michael Wong, Kam-kong Wong, John Cheung, Fung Woo (Tiger Cage III)

Release Date: August 8th, 2022
Approximate running times: 93 Minutes 34 Seconds (Tiger Cage), 96 Minutes 18 Seconds (Tiger Cage II - Hong Kong Cut), 96 Minutes 36 Seconds (Tiger Cage II - Malaysian Cut), 93 Minutes 38 Seconds (Tiger Cage III)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (All Films)
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese (All Films), LPCM Mono Mandarin (Tiger Cage), LPCM Mono English (All Films)
Subtitles: English (All Films), English SDH (Tiger Cage III)
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: OOP

"Bought to you by legendary martial arts stalwart Woo-Ping Yeun, the original Tiger Cage (1988) was an explosive, fast-paced Hong Kong feature replete with criminal gangs and a dedicated law enforcement team in a battle for the city.

Just as a crack drug unit celebrates a successful operation one of their numbers is killed. This leads them on a mission to expose the killer and the underground operation and more importantly to discover who the mole in the team might be. Fun, furious and rammed with glorious fight choreography, Tiger Cage is the perfect late 80s Kung Fu spectacular.

It was quickly followed by two sequels Tiger Cage 2 (1990) and Tiger Cage 3 (1991) also directed by Woo-Ping Yeun." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5 (Tiger Cage, Tiger Cage II, Tiger Cage III)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New 2K Transfer from the Original Negative."

Tiger Cage comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 34.4 GB

Feature: 27.6 GB

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New 2K Transfer from the Original Negative."

Tiger Cage II comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.6 GB

Feature: 23.7 GB (Hong Kong Cut), 20.8 GB (Malaysian Cut)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New 2K Transfer from the Original Negative."

Tiger Cage III comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 29.1 GB

Feature: 26.3 GB

The sources used for these transfers are in great shape; there is no source-related debris or damage. Quality-wise, all of these transfers are comparable. Colors and flesh tones, and though the image generally looks crisp, there are moments where it looks soft. Also, black levels are strong, and compression is solid.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese - Tiger Cage, LPCM Mono Mandarin - Tiger Cage, LPCM Mono Cantonese - Tiger Cage II Both Cuts), 4/5 (LPCM Mono English - Tiger Cage II Both Cuts, LPCM Mono Cantonese - Tiger Cage III, LPCM Mono English - Tiger Cage III), 3.75/5 (LPCM Mono English - Tiger Cage)

Tiger Cage comes with three audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese, a LPCM mono mix in English, and a LPCM mono mix in Mandarin with an alternate music score. All three audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, the Cantonese and Mandarin language tracks sound more robust than the English language track. Also, there are a few moments where the English language track sounds muffled. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track and a second removable English subtitle track for the Mandarin track.

Tiger Cage II, the Hong Kong cut, comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a LPCM mono mix in English. Tiger Cage II, the Malaysian cut, comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a LPCM mono mix in English. All of the audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. The main difference is that the Cantonese language track sounds more robust than the English language track. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Tiger Cage III comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a LPCM mono mix in English. Both audio mixes sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should. Included are removable English subtitles and removable English SDH subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras for Tiger Cage include reversible cover art, Hong Kong theatrical trailer (3 minutes 23 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), English theatrical trailer (4 minutes 43 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a conversation with actor Vincent Lyn and Frank Djeng titled Triads (4 minutes 22 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), three extras shots from the Taiwanese version (33 seconds, LPCM mono), English language titles (2 minutes 27 seconds, LPCM mono), an archival interview with actor Donnie Yen titled Tiger King (17 minutes 22 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), Vincent Lyn’s personal 'behind-the-scenes' footage (6 minutes 14 seconds, LPCM stereo Chinese with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with Frank Djeng and Vincent Lyn.

Extras for Tiger Cage II include reversible cover art, Hong Kong theatrical trailer (3 minutes 57 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with action specialists Mike Leeder and Arne Venema for the Hong Kong cut, and an audio commentary with Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng.

Extras for Tiger Cage III include reversible cover art, Hong Kong theatrical trailer (3 minutes 49 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), alternate theatrical trailer (3 minutes 49 seconds, LPCM mono English with removable English subtitles for Cantonese text), English language titles (2 minutes 52 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Phil Gillon and Kenneth Brorsson of the Podcast on Fire Team.

Other extras include a double sided poster, and a one-hundred page booklet with cast & crew information for each film, an interview with Vincent Lyn conducted by Matthew Edwards, an interview with Stephan Berwick conducted by Matthew Edwards, and an interview with Michael Woods conducted by Matthew Edwards.

Summary:

Directed by Yuen Woo-ping, Tiger Cage and its two similar-themed sequels, Tiger Cage II and Tiger Cage III, are a trio of films that showcase his ability to create inventive action sequences. His other notable films as a director include Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow, Drunken Master, The Magnificent Butcher, Iron Monkey, and Tai Chi Master.

Tiger Cage: The narrative revolves around a criminal who narrowly escapes death in a shootout with law enforcement, who then tracks down and kills the cop who almost killed him. Another subplot revolves around corrupt cops who are working with drug smugglers.

Tiger Cage is cut from the same mold as the violent bullet ballets that were at the height of their popularity in the latter half of the 1980s. And though the premise covers well-traveled ground, the result is a highly entertaining mix of action and carnage that does a great job maintaining the momentum established in its opening setup.

The performances range from adequate to very good. With most of the performances falling into the latter category. The most memorable performance is by Simon Yam (Naked Killer) in the role of police inspector Michael Huang. He delivers a performance that is in line with the types of characters he often portrays. Another performance of note is that of Donnie Yen (In the Line of Duty IV) in the role of a police inspector named Terry. This is an early role where he is not the lead, and his character's tragic fate is Tiger Cage’s most potent moment.

Though there is a predictability to the story at hand, cops vs. criminals, cops often use brutality to get results. This is not a problem since what Tiger Cage lacks in narrative, it more than makes up for with its crazy stunt work and bombastic action set pieces. Ultimately, Tiger Cage is a solid action film that fans of 1980s Hong Kong cops vs. criminal films should thoroughly enjoy.

Tiger Cage II: The narrative revolves around a lawyer, an ex-cop, and a gangster who are forced to work together when they become suspects and are targeted by the actual culprit.

Once again, it is another cop vs. criminal scenario. That said, unlike its predecessor, this time around the premise offers an ample amount of twists and turns. With a case of money that has disappeared being the plot device that drives the narrative.

The cast is very good in their roles, especially Donnie Yen (Ip Man) in the role of an ex-cop named Dragon Yau and Rosamund Kwan (Once Upon a Time in China) in the role of a lawyer named Mandy Chang. Their combative relationship and budding romance give Tiger Cage II a strong backbone. Their interactions provide an ample amount of humor, with Mandy Chang often inadvertently inflicting pain on Dragon Yau.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Tiger Cage II does not deliver. The premise is well executed, the briskly paced narrative ensures there is never a dull moment, and a sword fight finale provides a perfect coda. Of course, when it comes to stunts and action setpieces, Yuen Woo-ping delivers in spades. Ultimately, Tiger Cage II is a rare example of a sequel that is superior.

Tiger Cage III: The narrative revolves around two cops working in the commercial crime bureau who are trying to get evidence of fraud against a rich businessman. One of the cops' girlfriends works for the businessman, giving them someone on the inside.

Tiger Cage III is a sequel in name only. Though there are no characters trying to put the three Tiger Cage films together, the first two Tiger Cage films have a few areas where they overlap, while Tiger Cage III feels like a different film.

The cast is all very good in their roles, especially Sharla Cheung Man (God of the Gamblers) in the role of Suki, the girlfriend assisting her cop boyfriend. Her character is best described as a femme fatale type that is associated with film noir. Another performance of note is that of Michael Wong (City Hunter) in the role of John, a cop who works for the commercial crime bureau. His characters, like Suki's, are not who they seem to be.

Though Tiger Cage III's story is not as eventful as the other two Tiger Cage films, it has a strong premise, and the narrative does a good job building momentum. There are crazy stunts, and the action set pieces are solid. Also, when it comes to carnage, Tiger Cage III is the most brutal and graphic of the three Tiger Cage films. Ultimately, Tiger Cage III is the weakest of the three Tiger Cage films.

The Tiger Cage trilogy gets an excellent release from 88 Films that comes with strong audio/video presentations and informative extras, recommended.

Note: 88 Films has rereleased Tiger Cage I-III in a standard edition.