Alternatives to these HKL releases?

gojensen · Post by **gojensen** » 18 Jan 2005, 10:30

Well, I've let my "collector-mania" slip these past years, as HK releases improved in quality and HKL didn't...

... so right now I'm looking at these titles and wondering wether or not the HKL versions are "better" than their HK (or FOX R1? or other?) releases? If you know please reply

Chinese Ghost Story
First Option
Iron Monkey Platinum (upgrade?)
Moon Warriors
Naked Weapon
Once A Thief
Scorpion King
Story of Ricky
Young Master
Warriors 2
Wing Chun
Flaming Brothers
Skinny Tiger Fatty Dragon
The Swordsman
Tiger on the Beat
Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars
Winners And Sinners
Full Contact
Way of the Dragon Platinum (upgrade?)
Dragon From Russia
Prodigal Son
Crime Story
Dragon Lord

And whatabout the PA releases of MUSA, BICHUNMOO and THE CHAMPION?

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 18 Jan 2005, 16:27

As far as i am aware, most of the HKL titles you have listed there still remain the best versions currently available. I have yet to pick up the Iron Monkey Platinum but i have read that the picture is not quite as good as the original special edition. However the extras and DTS kind of seem to make up for that.

Generally speaking, i've found most region 1 versions of Asian films to be pretty crappy overall. The only ones i own are Versus (Media Blasters), Shiri (Columbia Tristar), and the Anchor Bay/Fox versions of John Woo's films.

The only real complaint i have about most of HKL's titles is the very weak audio tracks, but that is deffinetly better then having a low quality crap sounding 5.1 remaster from an HK dvd.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 18 Jan 2005, 17:50

OK, let's see if I can help:

Chinese Ghost Story = HKL is top-notch.

Iron Monkey Platinum (upgrade?) = Only upgrade if you've got a DTS amp and a big screen. The new extras aren't worth the upgrade IMO.

Moon Warriors = HKL disc is perfect.

Young Master = The FOX release is supposed to have a big cropping problem.

Warriors 2 = Until now the best version was the french HKVidéo release. But the HKL release will have a HD transfer from Fortune Star.

Wing Chun = HKL is the way to go.

The Swordsman = the HKL is much better than the Fortune Star remaster (!!)

Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars = The HKL has dubtitles. I'm expecting a better release from FS or/and FOX anytime.

Prodigal Son = pictures can paint a thousand words:
http://www.cinemasie.com/fiche/video/30 ... aison.html

MUSA = The PA release is cut. The original Korean release is the director's cut and better (darker) colors. Its subs are quite bad, though.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 18 Jan 2005, 17:54

Its' also worth bearing in mind the Australian R4 of Musa, which is uncut, supposedly with better subtitles than the Korean DVD (I say "supposedly" as I havent seen it) but will order it soon.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Jan 2005, 20:30

* Bichunmoo and Champion from PA are top quality discs. I own Bichunmoo and it can't be beaten.

* Tom how do you know that about Swordsman?

* Won't the FS/Fox DVD of Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars also have dubtitles?

[quote][i]Originally posted by ReconFive[/i]
The only real complaint i have about most of HKL's titles is the very weak audio tracks, but that is deffinetly better then having a low quality crap sounding 5.1 remaster from an HK dvd. [/quote]
Me to exactly.

2000 AD showed what HKL are capable of. Sure I don't want this for all realises but some would be nice.

[Edited on 18-1-2005 by bradavon]

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 18 Jan 2005, 20:57

[quote]
Tom how do you know that about Swordsman?
[/quote]

Probably because I own both discs

[quote]
Won't the FS/Fox DVD of Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars also have dubtitles?
[/quote]

Some recent FS DVDs have proper subs instead of dubtitles.
This gives me hope.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Jan 2005, 22:41

I hear the recent ones also have mono to, is this correct? Which ones have proper subs btw?

What's wrong with the FS HD remaster of Swordsman? I was planning to get it.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 19 Jan 2005, 01:00

[quote]
What's wrong with the FS HD remaster of Swordsman?
[/quote]

There's nothing wrong with it, but the HKL DVD happens to be a lot better IMO:

-I know it sounds impossible, but the HKL transfer is sharper.
-The colours on the FS DVD are too muted (HKL picture feels more natural).
-The 5.1 remix that HKL has sounds better than the FS remix.

I'll try to do a picture comparison if I have time.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 19 Jan 2005, 01:24

Here are some comparison shots.
HKL at the top, FS at the bottom.

To me, the difference is quite scary:

[img]http://img146.exs.cx/img146/1885/COMP1.jpg[/img]

The HKL is too bright while the FS is muted and wayyyy too dark.

[img]http://img9.exs.cx/img9/9719/comp21fy.jpg[/img]

The transfers are not the same, but I still think that something's wrong with the colours on the FS disc.

[img]http://img9.exs.cx/img9/4971/comp33lm.jpg[/img]

The FS picture is still too dark and blurry.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 19 Jan 2005, 11:32

Re: Warriors Two - sadly (but this is only according to one poster on another forum, and Markgway

) Warriors Two HKL has no "original" soundtrack option and only has an altered track (in the arsed up Fortune Star variety), I've never seen WT but I would guess new foley effects/music are present.
You have been warned.... but I still like to see it, its only £8.99/£6.99

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 19 Jan 2005, 13:14

Thanks Tom. You're right I prefer the HKL.

Thanks Grim. Who realistically thought Warriors Two would have a non-remixed soundtrack? All their releases are re-mixed even the stereo ones.

How is it altered? I'd like specifics? Is it damaged? Is it re-mixed to be 5.1 (which some like, most don't). Does it have new foley effects? Don't forget the Fox DVD will be no different so it's a mute point anyway.

It sounds like the arsed part is subjective.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 19 Jan 2005, 14:09

The foley/sound effects are different apparently with different sounding punch noises and things. I dont know the film though so I dont think it would bother me as much as Islandguy (the poster on the other forum) and Mark.

Islandguy · Post by **Islandguy** » 19 Jan 2005, 14:40

New Foley effects are the main annoyance, its just a pity because otherwise its a great disc.
The thing i am worried about is that all new releases from HKL / Fortune Star will have messed up soundtracks....Dragons Forever anyone?....At least give us an original mono option.

gojensen · Post by **gojensen** » 19 Jan 2005, 16:08

[quote][i]Originally posted by Tom2681[/i]
Prodigal Son = pictures can paint a thousand words:
http://www.cinemasie.com/fiche/video/30 ... aison.html

MUSA = The PA release is cut. The original Korean release is the director's cut and better (darker) colors. Its subs are quite bad, though. [/quote]
Uhm, wtf did HKL do with the Prodigal Son? That said, does the extras on it justify the inferior (to Fox) transfer?

With cut I assume you mean it's the intl. version? Will keep an eye out for Eastern Eye then...

As for WARRIORS TWO... it's sad if HKL has to sacrifice "decent" soundtracks to get the new FS HD prints... :-(

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 19 Jan 2005, 19:24

I don't know if you have been there, yet, but for a lot of HKL and Premier Asia DVD reviews you can also visit my site at http://www.hongkonglegends.net

The Premier Asia reviews are currently being transferred to the new site version. Currently there is just one Premier Asia review for "Bichunmoo".

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 19 Jan 2005, 20:02

[quote][i]Originally posted by gojensen[/i]
Uhm, wtf did HKL do with the Prodigal Son? That said, does the extras on it justify the inferior (to Fox) transfer?[/quote]
The Fox DVD is from a HD remaster. I see nothing surprising, their ITLOD4 DVD is the same.

[quote][i]Originally posted by gojensen[/i]
Will keep an eye out for Eastern Eye then...[/quote]
I can't see EE releasing this anytime soon they're staying clear of martial arts films it seems.

[quote]As for WARRIORS TWO... it's sad if HKL has to sacrifice "decent" soundtracks to get the new FS HD prints... :-( [/quote]
Lets not jump the gun, it's only one DVD.

It will be interesting to hear how the Fox DVD fairs.

blade · Post by **blade** » 20 Jan 2005, 04:35

Great to read stuff about HKL as they will be releasing titles in OZ in feburary.
Just a few questions:
Chinese ghost story, isnt the picture darker than the other releases
Moon Warriors do they have dubtitles?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Jan 2005, 11:24

They've taken their time since almost every release is dual encoded R4. Either being R0 or R2 + R4.

Is it legal to sell non-Australian DVDs in Australia? It is in New Zealand, if so I'm surprised they're not sold already.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Jan 2005, 13:17

Brad I know the term "arse ups" is subjective (thats what Mark calls it), but I guess if you know/love the film you may notice it more. I love the Police Story films for example so I could spot the new effects on the soundtrack.
I've yet to see Warriors Two, and it looks a great disc overall so IMO it is not a reason to miss out. Anyway the Deltamac DVD (with mono sound) won't be "much" cheaper than the HKL, and won't look half as nice or have any good extras.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Jan 2005, 18:47

Mark is much more of a purist than I'll ever be.

ICE-angel · Post by **ICE-angel** » 21 Jan 2005, 00:28

gojensen · Post by **gojensen** » 21 Jan 2005, 08:20

They *have* to... the HK distributor *makes* them...

Their deal with Media Asia for instance, allowed them either a 5.1 soundtrack OR the mono soundtrack - they opted for the remix. (According to them). Likewise for the Fortune Star deal, they get the prints and one soundmix... if it is totally shit... well they can only do so much...

This is remniscent of the first release of A Better Tomorrow by Anchor Bay in the US... they got the "new" soundtrack that Media Asia put on... (with music from all kinds of Hollywood movies...)

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Jan 2005, 11:37

Surely they could've paid more to get both 5.1 and mono, no?

ICE-angel · Post by **ICE-angel** » 22 Jan 2005, 15:37

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 22 Jan 2005, 16:33

I agree with you on this matter completly....but if i'm not mistaken Fortune Star has included the original mono track on all its recently released titles? (Police Story Films/The killer/BITH..etc)

Regarding HKL, i am not an expert on some of the original source material but the 5.1 tracks from HKL titles really don't seem to have alot if any altered sound effects. On older HK films HKL tracks sound to me like glorified mono.

[Edited on 22/1/2005 by ReconFive]