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?
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.
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.
I used to be "the man who loves the movies you hate".
Now I'm just "that weird french guy with a cat avatar who comes to BnB once a year for no reason and then disappears again".
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.
* 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.
[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.
I used to be "the man who loves the movies you hate".
Now I'm just "that weird french guy with a cat avatar who comes to BnB once a year for no reason and then disappears again".
[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.
I used to be "the man who loves the movies you hate".
Now I'm just "that weird french guy with a cat avatar who comes to BnB once a year for no reason and then disappears again".
I used to be "the man who loves the movies you hate".
Now I'm just "that weird french guy with a cat avatar who comes to BnB once a year for no reason and then disappears again".
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
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.
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.
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.
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... :-(
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".
[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.
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?
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.
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...)
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.
) 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. 
