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View Full Version : Jackie Chan's POLICE STORY gets shafted once again


Matt_Stevens
12-26-06, 04:14 PM
It's disgusting what happens to pretty much every Jackie Chan movie from Hong Kong. Not one single release in any country for POLICE STORY is done properly. This time the Weinstien's DRAGON DYNASTY company decided to release it uncut and with a non-Dubtitled translation AND the ORIGINAL MONO SOUNDTRACK! Awesome! Uncut, subtitled, original sound... What could go wrong?

Well, it looks like the print used was a 16mm reduction print because the grain is massive and the detail is just not there. This transfer shows all the signs of coming from a 16mm reduction source and it's a shame because the sound is in sync, the film is uncut and the subs are pretty good. The picture on this one is UGLY, people. My wife, who is from Vietnam and used to lousy PQ even said it looked unwatchable. If she can't watch it, then it's complete sh!t.

In order to see this film properly you would have to rip the audio and subtitles and then mate them with the video from the Hong Kong IVL anamorphic release, which itself is F'd up due to bad subtitles and horrifically out of sync sound. If anyone out there knows how to do that for subtitled films, PM me because I have the IVL release and would love to see this done right.

I am ready to just give up on Hong Kong films because it's not worth the time and effort to always be disappointed.

As it stands, the only version I can watch that is what I would call "watchable" is the Hong Kong Legends release and only because I can fix the squished aspect ratio with the XY Scaling of my Malata 520 DVD player.

The Weinsteins should be shot. They screw everything up.

FredProgGH
12-26-06, 05:10 PM
Yeah, I hear you. The HKL version is pretty watchable but none of these movies really get the proper respect.

CountryJoe
12-26-06, 07:49 PM
I really like Jackie Chan. But, this movie was crap, in my opinion. I think the acting was pathetic, the story line old and tired, just bad all over. I do think Jackie is a fine actor and a quality person from what I know. Just not this movie.

Matt_Stevens
12-26-06, 07:56 PM
LOL. You are entitled to your own opinion, but you are bashing a film universally praised as one of Jackie Chan's best. It's loved by fans around the world, was praised by critics and inspired numerous copies and clones over the years. Dozens of Hollywood action films have copied its stunts and action sequences.

mrhan
12-26-06, 08:26 PM
I just hope they don't screw up the Fist of Legend release they promised. With Bey Logan working for them you'd think he would have spoken up before they released this subpar version of Police Story.

FredProgGH
12-26-06, 10:18 PM
I really like Jackie Chan. But, this movie was crap, in my opinion. I think the acting was pathetic, the story line old and tired, just bad all over. I do think Jackie is a fine actor and a quality person from what I know. Just not this movie.

Well, from what I understand saying this movie has an old and tired storyline is a bit like leveling the same charge at Lord Of The Rings- it's actually the film that set the standard for the archetypes, at least in terms of HK cinema. This movie was a radical departure for JC, moving him from kung-fu into a modern action setting. It (and Project A) radically altered the HK movie scene. He refined the formula a lot over the years but it started here! And of course it was never about the story or the acting- just the action! (And, to some extent, the comedy, which mostly doesn't translate that well. The office scene is classic though.)

CountryJoe
12-27-06, 10:39 AM
And our difference of opinions is what makes this a beautiful place

NetworkTV
12-27-06, 03:54 PM
And our difference of opinions is what makes this a beautiful place
...and I completely disagree with this opinion.



;) ;)

Matt_Stevens
02-12-07, 06:45 PM
POLICE STORY 2 looks to be better than PS1 from Dragon Dynasty. I need to spend more than 5 minutes to really know, but so far I think it may be OK.

BOSE501MKIV
02-13-07, 10:34 AM
So I should just keep my laserdisc of this?

Matt_Stevens
02-14-07, 03:17 PM
No. The DVD is worth the money.

Blasst
02-14-07, 11:46 PM
Thanks for the heads up on Police Story 2, Matt. I was going to pick it up yesterday,and decided to wait until I could get more info on it here.