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Black Mask: Limited Edition Set – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1996
Director: Daniel Lee
Writers: Tsui Hark, Koan Hui, Teddy Chan, Joe Ma
Cast: Jet Li, Lau Ching-wan, Karen Mok, Françoise Yip, Patrick Lung, Anthony Wong Chau-sang

Release Date: April 22nd, 2024 (UK), April 23rd, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running times: 99 Minutes 58 Seconds (Hong Kong Version), 87 Minutes 14 Seconds (U.S. Version), 100 Minutes 57 Seconds (Alternate Taiwanese Cut), 102 Minutes 18 Seconds (Extended Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (All Versions)
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese (Hong Kong Version), LPCM Stereo Cantonese (Hong Kong Version, Extended Version), LPCM Stereo Mandarin (Alternate Taiwanese Cut), LPCM Stereo English - Original Dub (U.S. Version), LPCM Stereo English - U.S. Release Dub And Soundtrack (U.S. Version)
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £19.99 (UK), $44.95 (USA)

"Tsui Chik (Li) is a librarian who leads a quiet, unassuming life – or, at least, that’s what he wants people to believe. In truth, he was once a member of the 701 Squad, a group of elite combatants produced by a failed super-soldier project. In kind with his former comrades, his central nervous system has been altered to render him impervious to pain. When several of his fellow test subjects resurface and embark on a crimewave under the leadership of their former commander Hung Kuk (Patrick Lung), Tsui is forced to use his extraordinary abilities once more. Donning a costume, he sets out to face his past – as the vigilante known as the Black Mask." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5 (Hong Kong Version), 4/5 (U.S. Version, Extended Version), 3.75/5 (Alternate Taiwanese Cut)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Fully uncut Hong Kong version presented in 1080p from a 2K restoration. Original U.S. version presented in 1080p from a 2K restoration."

Black Mask Hong Kong version and U.S. version come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.3 GB

Feature: 21.6 GB (Hong Kong Version), 17.9 GB (U.S. Version)

Black Mask alternate Taiwanese cut and extended version come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.9 GB

Feature: 21.1 GB (Alternate Taiwanese Cut), 22.6 GB (Extended Version)

Of these four versions, the Hong Kong version and the U.S. version have stronger sources than the alternate Taiwanese cut. The alternate Taiwanese cut incorporates footage that is exclusive to this version from a standard definition source, while the extended version is a compilation of sources. Another difference is that the U.S. version looks brighter than the Hong Kong version. Though there is some softness, the image generally looks crisp, flesh tones look healthy, and colors look very good. Black levels are strong, compression is solid, and there does not appear to be any digital filtering of the image.

Audio: 4.5/5 (All Audio Tracks)

The Hong Kong version comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese and a LPCM stereo mix in Cantonese. The U.S. version comes with two audio options, a LPCM stereo mix in English (original dub) and a LPCM stereo mix in English (U.S. Release Dub and Soundtrack). The alternate Taiwanese cut comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in Mandarin. The extended version comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in Cantonese. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese and Mandarin language tracks. Quality-wise, all audio tracks sound excellent, dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and action sequences sound robust.

Extras:

Extras on Blu-ray disc one include Hong Kong theatrical trailer (1 minute 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), U.S. theatrical trailer #1 (59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), U.S. theatrical trailer #2 (1 minute 54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), U.S. home video trailer (1 minute, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival Making of featurette (19 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with burnt-in English subtitles), an interview with Leon Hunt, author of Kung Fu Cult Masters: From Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger (17 minutes 56 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with film critic Andrew Heskins (8 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with stuntman Mike Lambert (29 minutes 53 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film festival) for the Hong Kong version, and an audio commentary with action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema for the U.S. export version.

Limited to this release is a second disc that comes with two alternate versions: an alternate Taiwanese cut and an extended version.

Other extras include reversible cover art, a limited-edition O-Card slipcase (2000 copies) and a 32-page booklet with cast & crew credits, an essay titled Origin Story: Truth, Justice and the Hong Kong way in Black Mask written by James Oliver, an essay titled I Live Among You, Well-Disguised: Developing Action in Black Mask written by Simon Abrams and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Directed by Daniel Lee, whose other notable films are Till Death Do Us Part and 14 Blades. Adapted from the Manhua (Chinese comic book) created by Pang Chi-ming and Li Chi-tak, Black Mask’s protagonist was influenced by Bruce Lee’s portrayal of Kato from The Green Hornet.

The narrative revolves around a survivor of an elite group of super soldiers who tries to assimilate into a regular life as a librarian.

Black Mask is a film whose far-fetched premise—super soldiers who have turned to a life of crime after narrowly escaping extermination at the hands of the government—often defies logic. And yet, the end result is a highly entertaining mix of action and mayhem.

The narrative quickly dives in with a spectacular pre-credits opening that does a great job setting the stage for what follows. That said, despite leaning more towards action than exposition. In the case of the latter, it does a good job when it comes to the characters backstories.

Though there are martial arts in Black Mask, when compared to his other films from this era, there is more gunplay than hand-to-hand fighting. Fortunately, when it comes to action set pieces, they do not disappoint. Yuen Woo-ping (Drunken Master) choreographed the action sequences.

Black Mask has a solid cast that is all great in their roles. There is enthusiasm in the performances, especially Anthony Wong Chau-sang (Untold Story) in the role of a drug lord who collects body parts. No one in Hong Kong cinema has portrayed psychopaths better than Anthony Wong Chau-sang.

Jet Li (Once Upon a Time in China) is very good in the role of the hero. That said, Jet Li more than holds his own when it comes to action sequences, while for more dramatic moments, he is adequate. Other notable performances are by Françoise Yip (Rumble in the Bronx) in the role of a female super soldier assassin, and Karen Mok (So Close), whose character provides most of the comic relief.

Besides being a superhero film, Black Mask also has futuristic elements. One area where Black Mask sets itself apart from most Jet Li films is its ridiculously high body count. Also, when it comes to moments of onscreen carnage, characters have body parts severed. That said, Black Mask is a textbook example of how effectively 1990s Hong Kong mixed genres. Ultimately, Black Mask more than any Jet Li film divides its audience; you either love or loathe it.

Black Mask gets a solid release from Eureka Video that comes with a strong audio/video presentation, four versions of the film, and informative extras, highly recommended.

Note: This limited edition two-disc set is limited to 2,000 copies.

Hong Kong Version Screenshots.