City Hunter Blu-ray Review

Eureka Entertainment's Blu-ray release of "City Hunter" is a visual triumph, presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a new 1080p/AVC-encoded High Definition video sourced from an exceptional 2K remaster. The film, dormant for 25 years, radiates renewed vitality. Its comic book style, now emboldened on screen, imbues the presentation with vivid primary colors and a mesmerizing deep blue hue during the cruise liner sequences. Despite the occasional instability in black levels, the overall visual integrity is remarkably preserved, proving to be the film's most impressive presentation to date.

Detailing is particularly noteworthy, accentuated despite the softer stylization of the film. The remaster masterfully renders fine skin textures, intricate hair details, nuanced background elements, and fabric weaves with clarity and precision. The depth in both close-ups and expansive panoramic shots manifests excellent delineation and balance, enhancing the viewing experience significantly. This version of "City Hunter" stands out not only for its stability but also for its vibrant color grading which maintains the film’s original aesthetic integrity.

Furthermore, this remaster is meticulously free from age-related blemishes such as damage marks, cuts, stains, or burn marks, which often plague older films. The indoor and outdoor scenes, replete with neon and filtered lighting, are vividly reproduced, underscoring the visual spectacle of this classic Jackie Chan movie. For collectors and connoisseurs of early 90s action-comedy, Eureka's Blu-ray release of "City Hunter" is a definitive edition that preserves the film's native charm while delivering exceptional visual quality. However, it's crucial to note that this is a Region-B locked release requiring a compatible player for access.

The audio presentation of the "City Hunter" Blu-ray from Eureka impresses with a variety of track options, including Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, an original Cantonese mono track, and several alternative English dubs, complemented by optional English subtitles. Although there isn’t a perfect mix due to the inherent dubbing in either language option, the original Cantonese track stands out as the preferred choice. The six-speaker DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 remix provides an engaging and immersive experience, ensuring dialogue remains well prioritized across the frontal array. The action effects, ranging from gunshots to fight sequences, enliven the audio landscape, despite some over-the-top, video-game-style effects reminiscent of the 60s Adam West Batman TV series.

In addition to the standout DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, the Blu-ray also offers Cantonese LPCM tracks in both mono and stereo, with the stereo track showcasing exceptional clarity, depth, and stability. Viewers may find the stereo mix particularly enjoyable for its immersive qualities and faithful reproduction of the film's original audio. Furthermore, the enthusiastic, though somewhat erratic, score provides ample material for surround engagement, ensuring a consistently dynamic audio experience. Whether opting for the mono or stereo Cantonese tracks or exploring the alternative English dubs, audiences are afforded a well-rounded auditory experience that enhances the viewing of this action-comedy classic.

The Blu-ray release of "City Hunter" by Eureka provides an impressive selection of extras that comprehensively explore the film's production and feature extensive interviews with key figures involved. These thoughtfully curated extras, accompanied by a collector's booklet, provide a rich deep dive into the movie’s background, enhancing the viewing experience for fans. Highlighted by interviews with Jackie Chan and director Wong Jing, as well as an engaging outtakes montage, the extras offer engaging insights and an enjoyable trip down memory lane for enthusiasts of this 1993 classic. This set, packaged in a slipcase, is a notable offering for any "City Hunter" aficionado.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailers: Original theatrical and Hong Kong DVD trailers.
• Japanese Ending Credits: Fully restored with music.
• Outtakes Montage: Hilarious and often painful outtakes set to music.
• Outtakes Music Video: Collection of outtakes set to music.
• Interviews: Archival and vintage interviews with Jackie Chan, Wong Jing, Rocky Lai, Richard Norton, and Gary Daniels.
• Booklet: A collector's booklet with new writing and technical credits.

"City Hunter," directed by Wong Jing, marks a peculiar yet visually engaging adaptation of the popular Japanese manga. The film stars Jackie Chan as the eccentric and flirtatious private detective, Ryo Saeba, following a convoluted plot involving a missing heiress and a terrorized cruise ship. Combining elements of slapstick action and crude humor, the movie presents an odd contrast with Chan’s traditional action-comedy stylings, leaning heavily on outdated comedic tropes that might not resonate well with contemporary audiences. Additionally, Chan's injury during production necessitated the use of stunt doubles, which diminishes the quality of the film’s otherwise extravagant fight sequences.

The film is sprinkled with notable cameos, including Gary Daniels as a menacing henchman, Leon Lai, and Michael Wong, complementing the eccentric nature of the overall presentation. Yet, "City Hunter" largely relies on a campy aesthetic emblematic of late '80s and early '90s Hong Kong cinema, replete with vibrant neon visuals and over-the-top action scenes that might induce nostalgia for some viewers. The film also features bouts of high-energy music and vintage pop culture references that thread together its otherwise disjointed narrative. Despite the bustling display and occasional moments of well-choreographed combat typical of Chan's early work, the film's overall execution feels more like an extravagant showcase than a cohesive action-comedy.

In essence, "City Hunter" is an acquired taste, tailored to fans craving kitschy yet energetic fare from Jackie Chan’s transitional era between regional fame and international success. While hardcore fans may find joy in the film's ceaselessly playful atmosphere and quirky humor, others might be left wanting due to its dated humor and inconsistent action sequences—qualities that reflect a specific cultural context that may not translate universally.

Eureka’s Blu-ray release of "City Hunter" offers an impressive package that should delight Jackie Chan enthusiasts. The 2K restoration of the film demonstrates a thorough understanding of the movie's original aesthetic, with the team behind the effort excelling in preserving the native qualities of this late '80s/early '90s classic. The restoration process appears to be handled with immense care, contrasting starkly with some less successful attempts on other Chan titles, such as the recent 4K versions of Police Story & Police Story 2.

The set delivers outstanding video and audio quality, ensuring that every punch and pratfall is experienced with the utmost clarity and immersion. One of the standout elements of Eureka’s release is its robust selection of extra features, which contribute significantly to the overall value of the package. These supplementary materials not only provide deeper insights into the film's production but also offer extended entertainment for fans.

Though "City Hunter" may not hold the same acclaim as Chan's renowned works like "Police Story" or "Armour of God," it remains a quirky gem within his filmography. Eureka’s commitment to exploring broader titles from Chan’s backlog gives hope for the future availability of other lesser-known treasures. For those who revel in the nostalgic kitsch and charm characteristic of this era, Eureka's "City Hunter" release is a must-have addition to any collection. Highly recommended.