Dynamo Blu-ray Review

"Dynamo" is presented on Blu-ray by VCI Entertainment and MVD Visual with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, noted as a new 2K restoration from an original 35mm English print. The source material exhibits significant signs of aging, including noticeable color fading and extensive nicks and scratches. The color temperature varies broadly across the presentation, with occasional peculiar anamorphic squeezing in the corners of the frame. Despite claims of aggressive filtering, the transfer suffers from numerous encoding anomalies. Particularly evident during a fight scene at approximately 1:21:40, viewers may notice a distinct digital grid obscuring the entire frame, most pronounced on specific apparel. This anomaly mirrors macroblocking expressed uniformly geometrically.

The image generally appears quite soft with fluctuating contrast levels. Black levels are notably compromised, often presenting with a hazy, milky overlay. Damage persists throughout but remains controlled, posing minimal disruption aside from hasty splice marks and occasional frame skips. Restoration can only achieve so much with the poorly preserved theatrical stock used as a source.

Color reproduction is compromised significantly, with much of the vibrancy and saturation lost to yellowing over decades. Only certain hues, such as flower tones or city lights, occasionally break through the dull palette. Contrast issues and compression artifacts add to the degradation, with fast-moving scenes exhibiting substantial breakup and excessive banding. The restoration results in an image that's "better than its ever looked" but still significantly marred by both analog deterioration and digital mastering limitations.

The audio presentation of "Dynamo" on Blu-ray features an English dub in LPCM 2.0 mono. Unfortunately, the track suffers from several significant issues, making the optional English subtitles almost essential for a comprehensible viewing experience. The dialogues are characterized by anemic amplitude and thick accents, exacerbated by the lack of equalization. However, it's worth noting that some segments of the music manage to retain a surprising degree of clarity amidst these shortcomings.

Given the likely aged and degraded state of the original source, the PCM format proves insufficient in overcoming the inherent flaws. The audio quality is notably muddy, scratchy, and peppered with pops and clicks. The bass exhibits a puffy quality while the treble is strained, adding to the overall harshness. On a positive note, only a few lines fall below audibility, providing some relief. Additionally, erratic edits contribute to abrupt skips and jumps throughout the track, further diminishing the listening experience.

Overall, while the audio presentation manages to deliver its core content, it is marred by significant deficiencies intrinsic to its low-grade analog roots, making subtitles almost mandatory.

The Blu-ray extras of "Dynamo" offer a rich dive into the film's legacy, preservation, and fan culture. Enthusiasts will appreciate the insightful commentary by Michael Worth, a Bruceploitation literature author, and UK radio luminary Iain Lee, as they provide a passionate, albeit occasionally tangential, discussion. Highlights include a meticulously restored 16mm alternate version, which, despite its darker hue and more pronounced grain, paints an authentic portrait of television edits from Worth’s personal collection. The Dirty Kung Fu featurette delves into the technical restoration efforts by Reel Vault’s Jeremy Brunner and curator Dan Halstead. Finally, Ian McEwan’s interview offers a glance at the creative process behind the Blu-ray's cover art.

Extras included in this disc:

• Dynamo: 16mm Alternate Version: A new 2K scan of a TV edit showcasing a grittier look.
• Audio Commentary: Michael Worth and Iain Lee provide an engaging, fan-focused discussion.
• Dirty Kung Fu: Featurette on the restoration of Kung Fu film elements by local experts.
• Drawing Dynamo: Interview with cover artist Ian McEwan.
• Dynamo Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.

"Dynamo" stands as a seminal entry in the Bruceploitation subgenre, notable for its meta narrative and audacious exploitation of Bruce Lee's legacy. The film opens with a female advertising executive arriving in Hong Kong amidst the somber proceedings of Lee's funeral, captured through somewhat shoddy stock footage. Seizing this moment, she concocts a plan to find a new Bruce Lee, leading to the discovery of martial arts student Lee Tien-yee, portrayed by Bruce Li (Ho Tsung-Tao). What follows is a blend of kung fu action and cynical commentary on commercialism in the 1970s. By placing much of the narrative within the advertising industry, as opposed to filmmaking, the film manages to keep some degree of plausible deniability regarding its own crass commercialization.

Despite its crude core, "Dynamo" manages to rise above several other Bruceploitation flicks thanks to Bruce Li's athleticism and well-staged fight sequences. For instance, a memorable scene features combatants battling with ski poles in full winter gear at a ski resort, showcasing the film’s energetic and entertaining choreography. While the narrative is often ludicrous and the world depicted as oppressively sleazy—complete with gambling executives, naked stage dancers, and mobsters—the fight scenes inject a layer of dynamic energy that keeps the audience engaged. Li, despite lacking Bruce Lee’s inherent charisma, delivers physically demanding performances that elevate the otherwise lowbrow material.

To its credit, "Dynamo" also serves as a pointed commentary on the pervasive westernization and commercialization sweeping through Hong Kong during the 1970s. Its portrayal of an industry willing to commodify Lee’s memory for profit mirrors Hollywood’s own morally ambiguous practices. Although the film is uneven and at times absurd, it offers "wonky, awkward fun" with enough quality in its action sequences to be genuinely entertaining, making it a noteworthy artifact from an era dominated by Bruce Lee look-alikes.

The Blu-Ray release of "Dynamo" caters specifically to aficionados of the Bruceploitation subgenre, presenting a film that is keenly aware of its own exploitative origins. This self-awareness lends a cheeky humor to the narrative, adding a layer of entertainment through its nods and winks at the genre's tropes. However, fans should temper their technical expectations. The standout elements are the action sequences, which are well-executed and form the backbone of this film, providing the coherence needed to carry the plot through its sillier moments.

Nonetheless, the English dub is notably substandard, contributing to the overall perception of this release as a niche product. While the film does hold a certain charm in its silliness and self-reference, the Blu-Ray presentation falls short on delivering a high-quality technical experience. The video transfer and sound design, while serviceable, may not satisfy viewers accustomed to top-tier restorations.

Despite these limitations, the supplementary materials stand out as a compelling feature of this release. They provide valuable context and insights, potentially appealing to fans as much as, if not more than, the main feature itself. These extras could be the deciding factor for collectors and genre specialists contemplating this purchase.

In conclusion, fans of the Bruceploitation subgenre pretty much know what they're going to get, but "Dynamo" is kind of cheekily self-referencing and seems to be aware of its own exploitative tendencies. There's silliness in abundance, of course, and the substandard English dub may only add to that perception. This is obviously going to be a niche product for a certain kind of aficionado, but even those folks should probably temper their expectations as to the technical presentation here. The supplements are rather interesting and may actually provide as much interest as the main feature.