A Hero Never Dies – Chameleon Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1998
Director: Johnnie To
Writers: Szeto Kam-yuen, Yau Nai-hoi, Milkyway Creative Team
Cast: Leon Lai, Lau Ching-wan, Fiona Leung, Yoyo Mung Ka-wai, Lam Suet

Release Date: January 7th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 98 Minutes 16 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese, LPCM Stereo Cantonese, LPCM Stereo Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $39.95 AUD (Australia)

"Jack (Leon Lai) and Chau (Lau Ching-wan) are rival bodyguards whose bosses are engaged in a bloody power struggle that has spilled out of Hong Kong and into Thailand. The two opposing gunmen butt heads, cars, and wine glasses, though they are mirror images, alike in the belief that their destiny stems not from the stars but from the barrel of a gun. Much blood and even more red wine will be spilled in extremes of violence and loyalty. You know the feeling. You have an automatic pistol in each hand, and you walk into a room full of people who need to be shot…" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Digitally cleaned-up & restored feature presentation."

A Hero Never Dies comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.3 GB

Feature: 30.4 GB

No information is provided about the source; that said, this transfer looks excellent. Flesh tones and colors look correct; image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid; and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 5/5 (All Audio Tracks)

This release comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese, a LPCM stereo mix in Cantonese, and a LPCM stereo mix in Mandarin. Quality- and range-wise, all audio tracks are comparable. That said, dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well represented. Included are removable English subtitles, which tell you if someone is speaking Cantonese, Mandarin, or Thai, and there are a few dialog exchanges in English.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a photo gallery with music from the film playing in the background (8 stills), a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 16 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), outtakes (5 minutes 1 second, LPCM stereo with music from the film playing in the background), an archival interview with actress Yoyo Mung Ka-wai (2 minutes 45 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with Milkyway Image sound designer Martin Chappell (41 minutes 47 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), screenwriter Yau Nai-hoi, and action choreographer/actor Yuen Bun (25 minutes 41 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), a video essay by filmmaker Zach Closs titled Escaping Fate (9 minutes 16 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Frank Djeng, a slipcase, and a 16-page booklet with cast & crew information, and an essay about A Hero Never Dies written by Tim Youngs.

Summary:

Rivals, whose triad gangs are engaged in a war, forge a friendship and unite against their former bosses who have betrayed them.

While Johnnie To is known for his action/crime films, it was not until he directed A Hero Never Dies that he finally solidified himself as one of the key directors making heroic bloodshed films. Another clear influence that permeates A Hero Never Dies is the spaghetti western, in particular, Sergio Leone's Dollars trilogy. Johnnie To follows Sergio Leone’s example of less is more when it comes to dialogue. That said, A Hero Never Dies is a perfect fusion of the heroic bloodshed film and the spaghetti western.

The narrative does an exceptional job fleshing out its two lead characters, Jack and Chau. It is clear early on that both of them have solid instincts that keep them alive and one step ahead of anyone out to get them, and they have no fear of death. While they are from rival triad gangs, it is these traits that they share that bring them together. Another thing that they have in common is strong women in their lives, who are just as fearless and willing to put their lives on the line.

All around, the cast are excellent in their roles, especially Leon Lai (Fallen Angels) and Lau Ching-wan (Running Out of Time) in the roles of Jack and Chau. Their characters' relationship is reminiscent of the two leads from John Woo’s The Killer, and they have a tremendous amount of onscreen chemistry, which elevates their performances and everyone around them. The unsung heroes of A Hero Never Dies are Yoyo Mung Ka-wai and Fiona Leung in the roles of Jack and Chau’s girlfriends. Another performance of note is Lam Suet, a frequent collaborator of Johnnie To, in the role of a triad member.

Although the narrative effectively captures your attention, it is in the action sequences where Johnnie To’s direction truly excels. The first sequence that stands out is an ambush at a hotel in the middle of nowhere in which the bullets fly and the bodies start piling up. It is an intense sequence that culminates with Jack and Chau shooting each other through a wall. The second sequence that stands out is an equally carnage-filled finale where Jack and the recently deceased Chau take on their former bosses and their henchmen. By pretending that Chau is still alive, Jack allows him to die honorably while participating in the revenge. Ultimately, A Hero Never Dies is an exhilarating film that strikes the perfect balance between exposition and style.

If you appreciate the work of Johnnie To and have an interest in Hong Kong cinema, you should definitely take note of Chameleon Films, a home media company worth your attention. All of their releases are region-free and English-friendly and free of any ugly ratings logos. There is no reason to wait for a U.S. release, as it is unlikely to match the quality of these offerings. A Hero Never Dies gets an exceptional release from Chameleon Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras. Highly Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer