Police Story – Trilogy, cop punch?

IMAGE – Cascades Story

The UHD Dolby Vision transfers from Streams 1 and 2 are thus reduced by the same questionable choices; These include changing the colorimetric palette (a much warmer temperature, creamy whites and the addition of a brownish filter), smoothing of dynamics (compressed lighting) and the existence of raised blacks (drawing towards dark grey). However, the images prove to be more homogenous here thanks to more flowery colours (primarys breathe better) and more suitable light sources (neons find lustre).

Moreover, already superb on the previous remasterization 1080p, stability, sharpness and density are certainly always so (the softness of some planes is inherent in video capture) with as a bonus, a refined grain sheet and enhanced fine details (without artificial improvement of edges).

Except a few « jumps » (in Malaysia), the 4K Dolby Vision Transfer from Police Story 3 is absolutely fabulous. A veritable treat where native photography is respected, it displays a sharper pique (the close-ups on the faces, the decor elements), more nuanced hues, a more balanced contrast rate (the dark areas benefit from a better demarcation of the shadows) and high lights with carefulness.

SON – The art of destruction

If of course they cannot compete with current standards (a frontal scene with marked priority, variations in volume within the same sequence, a slight breath on the Police Story and dated effects), the DTS-HD MA 5.1 runways of the first two opus are very effective at the front (see noises during physical clashes) and use side enclosures as soon as it goes off (explosions and shots). The voices (sometimes post-synchronised) are never stifled, the multi-channel ventilation is pleasantly done (especially with mixing of Police Story 2), the atmospheres are well distilled, the score is always attack and the dynamics, unlike the bass (too nice), do not lack character.

Surprisingly aggressive but angry with the LFE channel, the Atmos soundtrack reserved for the 3rd episode extends its mix at the slightest opportunity (especially during the action scenes) even though it remains limited by its source (original mono). And except for the presence of the high channels (the debris falls in Thailand, the overflights of the helicopter), sometimes ignored by the mixer (the main rotor is confined to the front), this sound track is very close to its DTS-HD MA 5.1 counterparts.

Foremostly flater but very healthy (age-related damage has been ruined), monophonic proposals are returned with as much clarity as possible. For purists, it is a question of doubting the choice of reason.

CONCLUSION – Crime doesn't pay

Taken by a Jackie Chan overly defying death is the favorite hobby, trilogy Police Story (who will have made him a world superstar) is called in reinforcement in a beautiful 4K Ultra HD box that contains within it everything that the fans of the actor might wish (a plethora of supplements, a booklet of 100 pages and a neat A/V restoration despite questionable choices). An unforgettable mandal!