| First of all I have to applaud to Universe for including TWO versions of the film. One side presents the Cantonese 92 minute version, while the other has the Mandarin language version, clocking in at 94 minutes.
The Mandarin edit first and foremost contains a different chain of events in the hangar end fight as well as an alternative ending to the film. There are also a few extended and deleted scenes throughout the movie. For example there is more dialogue with the family of Yuen Biao's main witness and a scene showing the relationship between Fan Siu Wong's character and his grandfather. None of these scenes are really integral to the plot but they make for worthwhile viewing. I noticed that some of the more violent scenes had been shortened also. Parts of the extended scenes and choices during the ending are preferable but most likely you'll choose the Cantonese version and screen the extended bits on the flip side from time to time. Stills from these scenes and others are available in the Righting Wrongs Deleted & Extended Scenes Gallery.
The movie is presented in an aspect ratio which looks more closer to 1.90:1 but if it was over matted from 1.85:1, I sure didn't notice any signs of it. The print itself looks and feels like a Hong Kong movie from 1986 which is a good thing. There is a slight softness to it but somehow I feel it should look that way. Colours are good and the best thing is that the print is very clean. Specks are only in and out for a few scenes and the dreaded line through the print reared its ugly head once. The Mandarin edit has a very similar picture but is slightly darker in places.
There's only one sound option for the Cantonese version and that is a Dolby Digital 5.1 remix in Cantonese. Most of the times it's a restrained remix that is centered but there are some few instances of some really bad inserted foley effects. This is very noticeable in the car chase at the beginning and very distracting when they do occur. The Mandarin version has some very uneven mixing between dialogue and effects but other than that and the Mandarin dubbing, they sound the same.
The English subtitles are very good on both versions with only a select few grammar and spelling errors. However they're unfortunately placed partly on the picture and the black border. Hong Kong companies should learn that that is a big no-no for us widescreen owners. Other subtitles for the Cantonese version are Traditional and simplified Chinese. For the Mandarin version you get Japanese, Thai, Bahasa Malysian, Bahasa Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese subtitles.
Both sides contain the same supplements which are basic Star's Files for Corey Yuen and Yuen Biao in both Chinese and English and trailers for Righting Wrongs, The Heroic Trio, Executioners & The Young Master. |