4K Ultra HD – UK edition – 88 Films – 94 min (Hong Kong Cut) / 94 min (International Cut) / 97 min (Japanese Cut) – 05 December 2022
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 4K
• Standard HDR: Dolby Vision
• Ratio: 1.85
Soundtrack
• Cantonese Dolby Atmos (HK Cut / JP Cut)
• Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono Remastered (HK Cut / JP Cut)
• English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono Hybrid Dub
• English DTS 5.1 2002 Remixed (HK Cut)
Subtitles
• English
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers as well as the viewing equipment specified and used by each tester of the MaG team, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence the rating. Moreover, the images in the article are not representative of the edition tested.
WORK – The lawyer of kung fu
Jackie Lung is a lawyer who defends the interests of a Hong Kong chemical plant. But when he falls in love with a lovely woman who wants to shut down the factory because of pollution, Jackie finds herself in a conflict of interest and asks for the help of her two companions to discover the real intentions of the factory leaders.
Extremely generous in all that she undertakes, this far-fetched action comedy that runs at high speed V composes the typical recipe of the great Hong Kong era where dumb humour (but funnyly effective) was interspersed with aggressive fights (to crazy choreographies). A cult work that is always so rejoicing.
IMAGE – It's fresh, my fish!
If it is possible to let a slight chrominance sound shine, a tool in view of the large granular structure that encoder manages very cleanly, this UHD Dolby Vision transfer from a recent 4K restoration demolishes without forcing all previous video editions.
With sharpness and stability at all times, these film images (cf. the refinement of the 35 mm grain) display a magnificent 80-piece rendering that is lastingly impressive. Surprisingly pointed (for the first time, Jackie Chan's cascade lining can be seen!) and rigorously defined, they benefit from an increase in details to a rather amazing level (injury, interior decorations).
And just as overwhelming, the colorimetric palette is radically enhanced (live-up primaries and a heated carnation), the contrasts sit at a level they had never reached in the past (pure whites and denser blacks without any sign of crushing) and the brightness strikes by its frankly increased shine (reflections on water, daylight, neons in the night).
SON – Baratin and blows
Released from « constraints » of the mono, the soundtrack Dolby Atmos deploys a copious spatialization where the effects (doors that close, water that splashes), the atmospheres (the « life » in court) and the music regularly invite themselves to the back (including kick exchanges) while taking on the height of that one (Echo in the empty apartment of Luke Wong Fei-hung, the cicadas). A little artificial sometimes but continuing to prioritize dialogues, of constant clarity, it actually extends the spectacle by associating with it a magnitude (well open and relevant bass dynamics) previously « rain ».
More faithful, the Cantonese monophonic version is as clear as perfectly balanced.
CONCLUSION – Goodbye the beautiful trio!
Last lap of track (together) for the three « brothers » of Beijing opera (Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao), then at the top of their art, Dragons Forever we arrive in a 4K edition Ultra HD « deluxe » where the interest in supplements (provided) is equal to the superiority of A/V benefits (the Dolby duo). A big bang in the face!
Artistic note
8.5
Video quality
8.5
Audio quality
9
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