Viva Erotica – Kani Releasing (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1996
Directors: Derek Yee, Lo Chi-Leung
Writers: Derek Yee, Lo Chi-Leung, Ka Man
Cast: Leslie Cheung, Karen Mok, Shu Qi, Law Kar-ying, Paul Chun, Elvis Tsui, Allen Ting, Sean Lau, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Peter Ngor, Teddy Chan, Vincent Kok 

Release Date: September 27th, 2022
Approximate Running Time: 99 Minutes 18 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Cantonese, DTS-HD Mono Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Chinese
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $39.98

"Beloved Hong Kong icon Leslie Cheung (Happy Together) stars as Sing, an ambitious out-of-work filmmaker with two flops to his name. When his producer secures funding for his next project from a freshly cleaned-up Triad financier, he is saddled with the sexy Taipei starlet Mango (Shu Qi). Tasked with being more "Wong Jing than Wong Kar-wai" and encouraged by his long-suffering girlfriend (pop diva Karen Mok), Sing gets to work on his first softcore film." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "This transfer of Viva Erotica originates from the original camera negative."

Viva Erotica comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 21.9 GB

Feature: 18.1 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones and colors look correct; image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid; and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Cantonese, DTS-HD Mono Mandarin)

This release comes with two audio tracks, a DTS-HD mono mix in Cantonese and a DTS-HD mono mix in Mandarin. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track and a removable Chinese subtitle track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with director Lo Chi-leung (30 minutes 9 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with film scholar Brian Hu and journalist Ada Tseng of the podcast Saturday School, an embossed and spot gloss slipcover limited to 3,000 units, and a 12-page booklet with an essay titled Viva Erotica, Viva Leslie Cheung written by Ross Chen.

Summary:

A Cat-III film production company offers an opportunity for a director who is currently out of work to revive his career by directing one of their films. Reluctant to take on the film, the director searches for a compromise between artistic integrity and financial security.

Though Viva Erotica is a film-within-a-film satire, what unfolds often veers into metacinema. Also, a lot of Viva Erotica is based on real events experienced by director Lo Chi-leung. Another area where Viva Erotica blurs the line between reality and fantasy is cameos by Hong Kong film industry people. There is even a character named after one of Viva Erotica’s directors.

When discussing a film like Viva Erotica, one should put into context the state of Hong Kong cinema. Two years before the British handover of Hong Kong to mainland China, Cat III films were the easiest to get funding for. And when it comes to exploring the state of Hong Kong cinema at that moment, Viva Erotica delivers in spades.

From its first moment, it is clear that Viva Erotica is a film that will keep you on your toes. In this opening moment, two lovers in an apartment passionately have sex, and as the moment evolves, the apartment is drenched by what appears to be rain. And when they reach a climax, the camera pulls back to reveal a film crew. This moment is a perfect example of the artificiality of filmmaking.

The most impressive aspect of Viva Erotica is its phenomenal cast, who are all excellent in their roles, especially Leslie Cheung (A Better Tomorrow) in the role of Sing, a filmmaker at a crossroads. He delivers a pitch-perfect performance of a conflicted artist on the verge of a nervous breakdown. When his character gets lost in a fantasy, his performance shines brightest.

Shu Qi's portrayal of Mango, a terrible actress with limited range, is worth noting. Her character is the girlfriend of a gangster who is financing the film, and she obviously got the part because she is very attractive. Also, it is difficult to intentionally portray bad acting in the same way someone deliberately sings badly. Anthony Wong Chau-Sang (Taxi Hunter) makes an appearance, portraying a director who is obviously meant to be Wong Jing.

Viva Erotica is a film that takes place in the world of Cat III cinema; it should not be a surprise that there is a lot of adult content. That said, most of the nudity comes from Shu Qi, who looks stunning throughout.

From a production standpoint, Viva Erotica is a film where everything perfectly falls into place. The narrative moves along briskly, and the humor never misses the mark. The most surprising aspect of Viva Erotica is the visuals. Ultimately, though Viva Erotica is a black comedy about filmmaking, it is also a heartfelt film about cinema.

Viva Erotica gets an excellent release from Kani Releasing that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a trio of informative extras; highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

So Close - 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 2002
Director: Corey Yuen
Writer: Jeffrey Lau
Cast: Shu Qi, Vicky Zhao Wei, Karen Mok, Song Seung-heon, Michael Wai, Kurata Yasuaki, Deric Wan, Shek Sau 

Release Date: February 26th, 2024
Approximate running time: 110 Minutes 46 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese, DTS-HD 5.1 Mandarin, DTS-HD 5.1 English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK)

"When a gang of assassins murders their parents, two sisters inherit the family business – a state-of-the-art computer surveillance system. Armed with the ability to see around corners and disappear into thin air, the sisters become the most accomplished killers-for-hire in Hong Kong. But when the sisters fulfill a contract and take out a wealthy computer magnate, a beautiful undercover detective is suddenly hot on their tail. Now – loyalties are tested, alliances are questioned and survival becomes the most extreme sport of all." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "HD (1080p) Blu-ray™ presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio."

So Close comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.9 GB

Feature: 29.9 GB

My only reference is So Close’s 2003 DVD, which now looks ancient. This new transfer from 88 Films is a marked improvement that obliterates the 2003 DVD’s transfer. That said, the 88 Films transfer looks excellent. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese, DTS-HD 5.1 Mandarin, DTS-HD 5.1 English)

This release comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Mandarin, and a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English. All three audio tracks sound excellent. Dialog always comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced and robust when it should. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track and removable English subtitles for the Mandarin language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM stereo English and Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles for Cantonese), an archival Hong Kong promotion featurette (2 minutes 54 seconds, LPCM stereo with music playing over this extra), an archival extra titled Japanese Press Conference (8 minutes, LPCM stereo English, Cantonese and Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival extra titled Yasuaki Hurats’s action commentary (14 minutes 16 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actress Karen Mok (4 minutes 40 seconds, LPCM stereo English and Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actress Shu Qi (3 minutes 18 seconds, LPCM stereo Mandarin with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actress Vicky Zhao Wei (3 minutes 55 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, and a limited edition silver-board glossy O-ring (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Directed by Cory Yuen, whose other notable films are Yes, Madam, Righting Wrongs, My Father is a Hero, and The Transporter.

The narrative revolves around two sisters who work as killers for hire; one sister works on the tech side while the other sister kills the target. Over the years, the two sisters have stayed one step ahead of the law while remaining anonymous. That is, until a new detective on the scene becomes obsessed with uncovering who they are and bringing them to justice.

There are movies that, for whatever reason, we are drawn to, and despite their shortcomings, we return to them over and over again. Case in point: So Close, a film that is a personal guilty pleasure of mine.

When I first watched So Close, I had no connection to the film except that I was into girls with guns action films. Looking back on that first time I saw So Close and now rewatching it all these years later, my knowledge of Hong Kong cinema and those who made So Close has grown substantially.

The thing that most grabbed me when rewatching So Close was where it sat within Corey Yuen’s filmography. Having now seen more than a dozen films that he directed, despite So Close being a slick-looking action film, I would not put it in his top five films. In the same year that he made So Close, he also directed The Transporter, a film that is arguably stronger in just about every way. And yet, So Close is a film that I return to far more often than The Transporter.

The main draw of So Close is three leads: Shu Qi (The Transporter) in the role of an assassin named Lynn, Vicky Zhao Wei (Shaolin Soccer) in the role of Lynn’s sister Sue, and Karen Mok (Black Mask) in the role of a detective named Kong Yat-hung. All three deliver flawless performances; besides looking great, they all more than hold their own when it comes to the action sequences.

When it comes to the action sequences, So Close delivers, and then some. And like most Hong Kong films made in the last 25 years, its action sequences incorporate CGI. Outside of a few moments, the use of CGI is very effective. The most memorable aspect of the action sequences is the use of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s song (They Long to Be) Close to You. Lynn uses (They Long to Be) Close to You as a theme song. The combination of music and her movement are perfectly in sync during her escape after killing her target.

From its opening moments, So Close has an infectious vibe that makes what unfolds all so damn enjoyable. The well-executed narrative does a great job building momentum, and the tragedy leading into the finale does a phenomenal job laying the foundation for an exceptional ending. Ultimately, So Close is a solid example of how to make a female-led action film, and once again, Hong Kong is ahead of the curve when compared to similar films made by Hollywood.

88 Films gives So Close an excellent release that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of archival extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

A Man Called Hero – Vinegar Syndrome Archive (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1999
Director: Andrew Lau
Writer: Manfred Wong
Cast: Ekin Cheng, Shu Qi, Kristy Yang, Nicholas Tse, Yuen Biao, Jerry Lamb, Dion Lam, Anthony Wong Chau-sang, Ken Lo, Francis Ng, Elvis Tsui

Release Date: February 27th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 116 Minutes 17 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese, DTS-HD Stereo English, Dolby Digital Stereo Mandarin
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $44.98

"Hero is a gifted martial artist who is honored to be chosen for training by his mentor, Pride. Upon arriving home to tell his family about this achievement, Hero discovers that his parents have been murdered by a group of foreign gangsters. Hero then uses his family's mystical red sword to exact revenge on his parents' killers. Now a wanted man, Hero is forced to leave behind his lover Jade and his best friend Sheng in order to start a new life in America. 16 years later, Sheng and Hero's now grown son, Sword, travel to 1930s New York City in search of him. Sword learns of his father's time in America through a series of stories told by those that knew Hero best. However, now in this new land, Sword undergoes some of the same treatment as his father and is forced to face many new enemies, such as violent gangsters and racist mine workers." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Newly restored by Vinegar Syndrome from an existing studio master".

A Man Called Hero comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.9 GB

Feature: 34.7 GB

This transfer's source is in excellent shape. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity and compression are solid, and black levels are strong. Also, there do not appear to be any issues related to digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese), 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Stereo English), 3.75/5 (Dolby Digital Stereo Mandarin)

This release comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese, a DTS-HD stereo mix in English, and a Dolby Digital stereo mix in Mandarin. The Cantonese language is the strongest of the three audio tracks; it offers the most dynamic audio experience, range-wise. The English language track sounds great range-wise, while the Mandarin language track is easily the weakest of these three audio tracks. That said, dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track, removable English SDH for the Cantonese language track, removable English SDH for the English language track, and a removable English subtitle for Cantonese dialog when the English language version.

Extras:

Extras for this release a video essay by Justin Decloux titled A Blood Sword in the Road: A Man Called Hero’s Place in Hong Kong Cinema’s Action Movie Landscape (17 minutes 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with film historian Frank Djeng, reversible cover art, a bottom loading VHS inspired slipcase, and a double-sided poster.

Summary:

Directed by Andrew Lau, whose other notable films are The Storm Riders, the Young and Dangerous Films series, and the Infernal Affairs trilogy. A Man Called Hero was adapted from the Wuxia Manhua series Chinese Hero: Tales of the Blood Sword, created by Ma Wing-shing.

The narrative revolves around a gifted martial artist who flees Hong Kong after he kills the man who murdered his parents.

The premise follows the familiar comic hero backstory of a traumatic event that transforms the protagonist into the hero they become; in this case, the event was the killing of his parents. And when it comes to backstory, A Man Called Hero scores high marks across the board as several key characters beside the protagonist have their backstory fleshed out.

Though the narrative follows a predictable story arch for its protagonist, The result is a narrative that ultimately succeeds because of how effectively it balances action and exposition moments. Also, when it comes to the action sequences, the bulk of them are great, especially a scene that introduces Yuen Biao’s (The Prodigal Son) character Boss of China House. That said, the action sequences rely heavily on CGI, and they do not have the look that one comes to expect from Hong Kong martial arts cinema of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.

A Man Called Hero has a solid cast, and they are all great in their roles, especially Ekin Cheng (Tokyo Raiders), who portrays the protagonist, Hero Hua. Not only does he deliver when it comes to the action sequences, he more than holds his own in the more dramatic moments. Another standout performance is Shu Qi (So Close), who portrays a ninja assassin. Other notable cast members are Nicholas Tse (Beast Stalker) in the role of the protagonist's son, Sword Hua, and Anthony Wong Chau-sang (Taxi Hunter) in the role of the protagonist's mentor, Pride.

From a production standpoint, the positives far outweigh any of the negatives. A Man Called Hero was made during a transitional time for Hong Kong cinema, and though it embraces things like CGI, this is one area where those who do not enjoy A Man Called Hero had the biggest issue with this film. That said, A Man Called Hero is a beautifully photographed film that takes full advantage of the 2.35:1 scope frame, and Andrew Lau’s solid direction ensures that there is never a dull moment. Ultimately, A Man Called Hero is a very satisfying mix of fantasy, action, and melodrama that fans of Wuxia films should thoroughly enjoy.

A Man Called Hero gets a first-rate release from Vinegar Syndrome Archive that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a pair of informative extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Visible Secret: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 2001
Director: Ann Hui
Writer: Abe Kwong
Cast: Eason Chan, Shu Qi, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Sam Lee, James Wong, Yiu-Cheung Lai, Kara Wai, Tony Liu, Tat-Ming Cheung, Jo Kuk

Release Date: October 23rd, 2023 (UK), October 24th, 2023 (USA)
Approximate running time: 102 Minutes 48 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK), $34.95 (USA)

"Instantly infatuated by enigmatic amnesiac June (Shu Qi, Millennium Mambo) who has the ability to see spirits, Peter is swept into a world where he has one foot in the past, one in the present, and somehow has to figure out which is which." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “Visible Secret was transferred in High-Definition by Media Asia and supplied to Radiance Films as a digital file."

Visible Secret comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 35.6 GB

Feature: 29 GB

The source used for this transfer is in excellent shape. Flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are strong, and compression is solid. That said, this is another solid encode from Fidelity in Motion.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in excellent shape, the dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 34 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo with Cantonese and English text), an archival making-of documentary featuring interviews with the cast and crew and behind-the-scenes footage (14 minutes 26 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), a conversation between Ann Hui and NYAFF director Ken Smith who was also on set for the original shoot (13 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a visual essay by film critic and programmer Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (14 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 28-page booklet (single pressing of 2500 copies) with cast & crew information, an essay titled Visible Secret and the Look of Hong Kong Horror written by Gary Bettinson, an essay titled New Millennium, Old Ghosts written by Dylan Cheung, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Directed by Ann Hui, whose other notable films are The Secret, The Spooky Bunch, Boat People, and Song of the Exile.

The narrative revolves around a man who becomes infatuated with a woman who sees ghosts.

Hong Kong cinema has long been known for genre mixing, with some scenes falling into multiple different genres. Case in point: Visible Secret, a film that has romance, comedy, and the supernatural. With the latter playing a prominent role in the story at hand.

Visible Secret grabs you with a jaw-dropping sequence where a man waiting for a tram is decapitated. From there, his headless boy gets up and walks down the street before finally collapsing. Besides being jarring, this opening sequence also holds the key to why the things that are happening happen.

As good as the performances are, it is its two leads, Eason Chan (Naked Ambition) in the role of Peter Wong Choi, a hairdresser who falls in love with a woman he met at a disco, and Shu Qi (So Close) in the role of June, aka Wong Siu-kam, a woman who claims to have a third eye that allows her to see ghosts, that stand out the most. Another thing that helps their performances is their onscreen chemistry.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Visible Secret does not excel. The premise is superbly realized, and the narrative does a phenomenal job building momentum towards a twist finale that reveals a ‘visible secret’ that was always out in the open. Also, there are several well-executed jump scares and stylish visuals that often employ odd angles to enhance the mood. Ultimately, Visible Secret is a well-crafted film that is a very satisfying mix of romance, humor and horror.

Visible Secret gets an excellent release from Radiance Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Gorgeous – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1999
Director: Vincent Kok
Writers: Jackie Chan, Vincent Kok, Yiu Fai Lo
Cast: Jackie Chan, Shu Qi, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Wakin Chau, Emil Chau, Bradley James Allan, Tats Lau

Release Date: March 27th, 2023 (UK), April 11th, 2023 (USA)
Approximate running times: 119 Minutes 40 Seconds (Hong Kong Theatrical Cut), 99 Minutes 20 Seconds (International Theatrical Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Versions)
Rating: PG (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese (Both Versions), DTS-HD 5.1 English (International Theatrical Cut)
Subtitles: English (Both Versions)
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £19.99 (UK), $34.95 (USA)

"Young and beautiful Bu (Shu Qi, The Transporter) finds a romantic message in a bottle near her family restaurant in Taiwan. On a whim, she flies to Hong Kong to meet her potential soul mate, who turns out to be Albert (Tony Leung, Infernal Affairs), a gay beautician pining for his ex. Taking pity on the girl, he brings her to his workplace, where she falls for the wealthy and lonely C.N. Chan (Jackie Chan, Rush Hour, Supercop). But when Chan's lifelong enemy, Lo, discovers Chan has a new love, he decides to ruin their happiness." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5 (Hong Kong Theatrical Cut, International Theatrical Cut)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "2K Transfers from Original Film Materials of the Hong Kong & International versions of the film."

Gorgeous comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.2 GB

Feature: 21.5 GB (Hong Kong Theatrical Cut), 19.6 GB (International Theatrical Cut)

The sources for the two versions are comparable. And though they are in great shape, there are some very minor instances of white flecks. Colors and flesh tones look correct; image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid.

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

The Hong Kong theatrical cut comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese, and included are removable English subtitles.

The international theatrical cut has two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese and a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track and a second removable English subtitle track for a song that is in Cantonese when watching the English language track.

Quality-wise, the differences between the audio mixes are minimal. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and fight sequences sound appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include English language theatrical trailer (1 minute 32 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Hong Kong theatrical trailer (2 minutes 4 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), music video 1 (4 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese, no subtitles), music video 2 (4 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese, no subtitles), an archival featurette titled The Making of Gorgeous (30 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an interview with director Vincent Kok titled Boxing Day (23 minutes 54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview stuntman Andy Cheng who discusses stuntman/actor Brad Allan titled Shy Guy (17 minutes 1 second, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Frank Djeng and FJ Desanto for the Hong Kong theatrical cut, an audio commentary with action experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema for the Hong Kong theatrical cut, an audio commentary with actor Jackie Chan, in English for the international theatrical cut, reversible cover art, A3 folded travel poster (limited to first pressing), O-Ring slipcase (limited to first pressing), and a 34-page booklet (limited to first pressing) with on set recollections titled The Accidental Spy: Istanbul Set Visit written by Matthew Edwards.

Summary:

Though there have been a few films throughout his career where Jackie Chan (Drunken Master) stepped out of his comfort zone, Notably a film like Heart of the Dragon. He would not venture into the romantic comedy genre until Gorgeous.

Sure, throughout his career, Jackie Chan’s characters had had romantic interests. Unfortunately, most of them were relegated to secondary characters who never really flourished. That was until Gorgeous paired up Jackie Chan with Shu Qui (So Close). In Gorgeous, she would portray Bu, a character who actually gets the majority of the screen time. And her performance as a young woman whose yearning for the man of her dreams is phenomenal.

The premise is a fish out of water scenario where a small town girl from Taiwan goes to Hong Kong after finding a message in a bottle. From there, she searches for the man who sent it, only to discover that she was not the intended recipient of the message. Determined to find love, she stays in Hong Kong looking for her dream man.

Besides Jackie Chan and Shu Qi, there is a solid supporting cast, all of whom are great in their roles. Notably, Tony Leung Chiu-wai (Bullet in the Head) played Albert, a lonely gay man who sent the note that was in the bottle found by Bu. Also, there are several recognizable faces, many whose roles only amount to cameos, notably Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer) in the role of a Hong Kong police officer.

When discussing Jackie Chan’s films, one is always drawn to his explosive and inventive fight sequences. And though Gorgeous does not have as many fight sequences as one would expect from a Jackie Chan film, What fight sequences there are are exceptional. Notably, there are two boxing or martial arts sequences between Jackie Chan and Brad Allen.

From its opening moments right on through to its heartwarming finale The narrative does a fantastic job keeping things moving forward by giving key moments ample time to resonate. Ultimately, Gorgeous is a very satisfying blend of romance,  humor, and action.

Gorgeous gets a solid release from 88 Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation, two versions of the film, and an abundance of informative extras, highly recommended.

 Written by Michael Den Boer