Kairo [HK Version]: Technical Notes

The Video: Be warned - either because of how this DVD was remastered (possibly) or how Kurosawa decided to shoot it (definitely, according to sources), Kairo is a very dark film. Deceptively and decidedly so. The otherwise crisp and clean 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen image is loaded with action hiding shadows, the darker the better. There will be times when you can't make out what's going on. There will be other instances where Kurosawa overcompensates for the dimness and lets in too much light. Again, this is an obvious ploy for the filmmaker, a way of distinguishing worlds that are supposed to be slowly merging. Still, home theater fanatics will probably foam at the mouth at the lack of continual clarity. In this critic's opinion, it makes the movie that much more mysterious...and moving. The revelations become that much more meaningful when we finally see them, and the hinted at horrors that much more terrifying once they're revealed.

The Audio: Presented in Japanese with three subtitle options (Traditional/Simplified Chinese and English), the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround presentation of Kairo is incredible. Kurosawa uses soft, whispering voices in the background as a sign of an individual's continued presence on the planet. The speakers sparkle with such sinister sonics and there is lots of spatial ambiance in the mix. The translation is direct without being corny or filled with slang, and the dialogue is always up front and crystalline. Overall, the aural elements create as much of an enigmatic atmosphere as the story and the visuals, resulting in a totally immersive motion picture experience.

The Extras: Sadly, this Universal Laser and Video Company release from Region 3 is as bare bones as an old Paramount release. No trailers, featurettes or any other contextual material. The menu is as basic as a homemade DVD-R and the packaging is rather plain and unexciting. Frankly, a film this good deserves a better digital presentation than what we are given here.