Dark Water [2002] [HK Version]: Technical Notes

The Video:
The Region 3 version of Dark Water from Wide Sight is actually very good. The 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen image is very atmospheric and morose. Nakata obviously used a great deal of mood lighting and filter effects to keep his film depressed and dour, and all of this comes across in the terrific transfer. There is some slight compression grain, and a few moments of pixelation – especially when the screen goes completely black, but otherwise, this is a wonderful visual representation of the director's determined and precise way with imagery.

The Audio:
The sonic scenario of Dark Water is even better. Japanese horror films really love to play with sound, using minor elements mixed with obvious aural attacks to create an immersive environment of nasty noises. The Japanese Dolby Digital Stereo 6.1 DTS is kind of a misnomer, since we really only get front and back auditory action, with just a little side to side speaker boxing to flesh out the frightmares. Indeed, the only difference between the 6.1 DTS and the 5.1 is the heftier, heartier ambience in the former's fuller presentation. The subtitles, available in English, Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese are also unobtrusive. They never take away from the visuals Nakata is putting on the screen.

The Extras:
Sadly, Region 3 has yet to learn what most other regions already know – give the people some bonus features, or they'll feel ripped off and unhappy. There is nothing added to this DVD presentation – no filmography, making-of featurette or commentary track. Perhaps all of that is being saved for the eventual tie-in release when the US remake finally hits theaters. Whatever the case may be, it would have been nice to fill out this version of the title with some of that material. It would have made this Region 3 disc that much more desirable.