The Official "Dragon Dynasty" Thread!

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 20 Jan 2007, 17:25

Markgway wrote:I expect so.

Can't see Brian White sitting on Fist of Legend and Fong Sai Yuk too long.

I'm sure that when he's done re-scoring and cutting them, they'll be released in no time...

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Jan 2007, 17:34

Yi the pessimist

I imagine it will be like the R1 release of TYG from them, 1 disc with the shorter cut and 1 with the uncut edition TBH.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Jan 2007, 17:38

Is there a FSY International cut though?

Yi-Long wrote:I'm sure that when he's done re-scoring and cutting them, they'll be released in no time...

So far only TYG has been messed around with and then TYG is also uncut too (it just has no DTS). The following have been left intact:

Police Story
Seven Swords
SPL

I think that's it.

I bet it's left uncut and intact. They only seem to be interested in altering new films. Old classics only have interest by cult fans so there would be no sense in altering them.

There is no reason to believe PS2, IA2 or IA3 will be altered too. I think you're overreacting Yi.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:00

I thought there was Brad - isn't the R1 DVD "The Legend" cut compared to the Universe?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:28

Good point, not sure.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 20 Jan 2007, 20:03

I know I sound cynical when it comes to these movies and the Weinstein's, but hey.... that's what years and eyars of being utterly dissapointed by them, does to a guy. Sure, TYG also had the original cut, but the original cut didnt have the commentary, and an inferiour video quality.
So just not good enough.

Seven Swords was already cut when it was released in Hong Kong last year (or 2005). I believe the theatrical release was cut, and there still isnt a real uncut version available.

I believe there was also something wrong with Police Story, but not sure what.

SPL was a very good release, judging on most of the reviews. SO they deserve kudo's for that. But personally I wont be buying it cause I'm still more then happy with the HK disc (which means I also wont have to put up with the ridiculous title-change).

I really hope they'll just release the classics uncut and subbed. They dont need cutting or dubbing or rescoring or whatever. But the people who will bring us these movies have made serious mistakes in the past, so I'm not that positive that I will think they wont do it again.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Jan 2007, 20:14

Seven Swords was fine IMO (the HK DVD) we don't even know if an extended version is coming, even if it exits for that matter

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 20 Jan 2007, 20:31

hey,

one review of the R1 Seven Swords spoke of the deleted scenes exclusive for that release didn't have finished effects and wire removal. Leading to the theory that after all much was conciously left unfinished and Tsui Hark being happy with the current length. Up to the possible next few movies to enlighten us a little bit more then if it's the case. Can't say I truly care but am curious to see how the TV-series plays out.

RickyTheDragonSteamboat · Post by **RickyTheDragonSteamboat** » 21 Jan 2007, 02:46

Seven Swords wasn't a great movie but the DD release is pretty solid. I think it's easily the best DVD release of SS to date. As for The Protector, I also thought that it was a pretty solid job by TWC. Yeah it was cut (I actually enjoyed it though) but at least they had the brains to include the longer cut to please the masses. There's no DTS but I don't really care. It's also nice to see that they've included the hour long making of with commentary by Jaa and company.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Jan 2007, 20:08

Yi-Long wrote:I know I sound cynical when it comes to these movies and the Weinstein's, but hey.... that's what years and eyars of being utterly dissapointed by them, does to a guy.

No offence but move on.

Yi-Long wrote:and an inferiour video quality.

Only minutely inferior and to be fair do we know it's any better/worse than the Premier Asia effort anyway? No we don't.

The commentary sounds pants anyway and big deal it's a commentary + the UK DVD doesn't have a commentary period. I'm just saying it's not as bad as you make out, nit picking over the faults and ignoring the DVDs good points.

Yi-Long wrote:Seven Swords was already cut when it was released in Hong Kong last year (or 2005). I believe the theatrical release was cut, and there still isnt a real uncut version available.

How is that The Weinstein's fault? You expect them to contact Tsui Hark and demand a longer cut? Tsui Hark is to blame for that and no one else.

Yi-Long wrote:I believe there was also something wrong with Police Story, but not sure what.

It's uncut, original Cantonese in-sync Mono, decent English subs, anamorphic, not cropped. What more could you "really" want?

If there is it's not serious and to be honest why do you always expect perfect from such an old film kept in such a poor state? It's a given such a film is never going to be perfect.

As far as 3 out of 4 releases is good odds. Police Story, Seven Swords and SPL are perfect as far as I'm concerned.

PS is never going to be perfect and SS is as perfect as we're going to get. To expect more is just silly.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Jan 2007, 20:10

RickyTheDragonSteamboat wrote:I think it's easily the best DVD release of SS to date.

So do I. The HK 3 Disc SE has Full-rate DTS over the DD's Half-rate but it meant splitting the film.

I'd prefer Half-rate for that reason. I'd also personally prefer the Bey Logan/Tsui Hark commentary over the Tsui Hark + Producer guy commentary on the HK 3 Disc SE, as I'm not a fan of subtitled commentaries.

RickyTheDragonSteamboat wrote:There's no DTS but I don't really care. It's also nice to see that they've included the hour long making of with commentary by Jaa and company.

In terms of extras the DD is probably better than UK Premier Asia. I hear it's interviews are rubbish.

Yi-long tends to ignore a DVD completely if he sees it has an altered version

. If you don't mind losing DTS the DD is actually very good.

Knetan wrote:one review of the R1 Seven Swords spoke of the deleted scenes exclusive for that release didn't have finished effects and wire removal. Leading to the theory that after all much was conciously left unfinished and Tsui Hark being happy with the current length.

Exactly!

They're the same deleted scenes on the UK HKL (which also has separate deleted scenes they cut too) and HK DVD too.

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 21 Jan 2007, 20:18

hey,

ah ok, didn't know those scenes were also on the UK R2.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Jan 2007, 20:19

The HKL has two sets of deleted scenes (they're on the HK 3 Disc SE too). They're not much cop IMO.

DangerousLeeHandsome · Post by **DangerousLeeHandsome** » 23 Jan 2007, 18:05

I've bought all 4 DD titles thus far and they're all pretty good. Just my opinion but with their impressive line-up of titles to come, DD is shaping up to be even better than HKL because 1.) they lay claim to properties owned by multi-players in the UK (like Woo films, shared by HKL, Optimum and Tartan UK), 2.) they've hogged up all the good Jackie Chan and Jet Li titles and 3.) they've hogged up all the good Shaw Bros. titles LOL! These bastards own everything! But seriuously, atleast they're making good on their promise to put out good DVD releases of Asian movies.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 23 Jan 2007, 19:55

Granted on Jet Li but otherwise they seem no different (i.e - good) as HKL were when they first came out.

Both are IMO respectable HK DVD outlets.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 23 Jan 2007, 20:11

Well, they buggered up POLICE STORY so they've yet to prove themselves AFAIC.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 23 Jan 2007, 20:47

How?

I honestly reckon nothing would be good enough for you guys. Any flaw it's immediately useless and fucked. Even a perfect DVD someone would find some flaw with it.

From what I can see it's easily the best release yet (by most users standards).

Besides it's only 1 of the 4 releases, so not exactly a fair comment.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 23 Jan 2007, 21:05

The problem is that DD Police Story could and should have been better than it was. They were using FS's transfer, but somehow in their hands it turned out much worse than what IVL was able to do with it. You'd expect a high profile company like DD to deliver a better transfer than a HK company, but it turned out the other way round. Very disappointing.

But I agree, it's still the best release thanks to the good (according to reviews and comments) mono. Extras I couldn't care less.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 23 Jan 2007, 21:09

The thing is no version is perfect and I doubt it ever will be (being realistic) but it doesn't stop people completely dismissing it or an entire company.

RickyTheDragonSteamboat · Post by **RickyTheDragonSteamboat** » 23 Jan 2007, 21:14

To my observation (and I'm no expert) it seems like Dragon Dynasty opted for a more film-like transfer as where IVL used digital noise reduction on their version. Now like I said, I'm no expert but could that be it? Maybe. But for a 20 year old HK produced movie which had little to no preservation I think it looks pretty damned good.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 24 Jan 2007, 01:51

...and pink!

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 24 Jan 2007, 14:57

Release schedule wise it's starting to look pretty exciting with Shaolin Wooden Men and Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin on their way. I thought those would become the victims of FS forever, but now there's at least some hope. King Boxer and My Young Auntie interest me as well. Might even consider The 36th Chamber if they get it right (my german disc is non-anamorphic).

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 24 Jan 2007, 15:36

HungFist wrote:The 36th Chamber if they get it right (my german disc is non-anamorphic).

Quite like the HK version which I have, I know there are combing issues right with it

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 24 Jan 2007, 16:02

I don't usually have a problem with combing but I hate the birds...

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 24 Jan 2007, 16:06

HungFist wrote:I don't usually have a problem with combing but I hate the birds...

Sorry Hung, but you have completely lost me now