Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman Blu-ray Review
Score: 70
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman delivers a fun, big-budget Korean action experience with stellar audio-visuals, despite minor third-act stutters.
Disc Release Date
Video: 85
The Blu-ray of 'Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman' boasts a striking 1080p AVC encoded transfer, offering consistent fine detail even in stylized scenes, alongside an impressive 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio track that delivers dynamic surround effects and punchy LFE, enhancing the immersive supernatural battles.
Audio: 85
"The Blu-ray of 'Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman' offers an engaging DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in Korean, with immersive swirling effects in side channels during supernatural sequences. Dialogue is clear, complemented by moments of near silence, while optional English subtitles are also available."
Extra: 16
The Blu-ray extras of 'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' present a seamless viewing experience with automatically played Character Bios and Trailer in HD, complemented by Well Go USA previews. The packaging includes a slipcover, enhancing the overall presentation.
Movie: 71
Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman delivers an entertaining blend of action and supernatural mystery, with engaging performances and impressive CGI for a Korean film, despite some plot conveniences and a slightly sluggish third act. It's an enjoyable cinematic experience rooted in Asian folklore, promising to kick off an intriguing series.
Video: 85
The Blu-ray presentation of "Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman" is technically impressive, showcasing an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, distributed by Well Go USA. Although specific details about the original filming process remain undisclosed, the transfer suggests a proficient digital capture, potentially from a 4K DI. The sharpness and clarity are commendable, with consistent fine detail visible in practical props, sets, and costumes, despite some heavy grading and intentional desaturation. Notably, the product avoids common pitfalls such as banding, particularly in mist-laden scenes, providing seamless transitions in brightness.
The color palette is at times experimental, with violet and cobalt blue hues incorporated into the scenes featuring Yoo-kyung and the Mage. These choices do not compromise the detail levels of the image. While the CGI elements cultivate a comic book atmosphere, they provide intermittent enjoyment even if they lack artistic finesse. Overall, the visual experience is a cohesive blend of texture and color, delivering a satisfying viewing experience.
Accompanying this vivid visual presentation is an immersive 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio track in its original Korean format, with an alternative Dolby Digital 2.0 option for quieter viewing environments. This dynamic mix elevates supernatural battle sequences with whizzing swords and explosive mystical sounds, supplemented by robust LFE for impactful scenes. Dialogue is clear and balanced, maintaining consistent volume dynamics that do not require constant adjustment. This results in an active audio experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the film visually and sonically.
Audio: 85
The audio presentation of "Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman" on Blu Ray showcases a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in Korean. The sound design excels at immersing viewers, particularly through its use of otherworldly effects. Notably, sequences that feature cosmic chains and spiritual transfers provide dynamic and engaging audio experiences, panning effectively through the side channels. The track strikes a balance between intense audio onslaughts and strategic use of silence, as exemplified by the subtle yet impactful sound of Cheong's magic bell.
Dialogue clarity remains a strong point throughout the presentation, ensuring that verbal exchanges are cleanly conveyed to the audience. Optional English subtitles further complement the listening experience for non-Korean speakers. This audio track invites viewers to engage with the film fervently, enhancing both narrative and environmental elements inherent to the storyline.
Extras: 16
The Blu-ray extras for "Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman" provide an engaging exploration of the film's world, showcasing supplementary content designed for immersive viewing. The disc is adeptly authored, ensuring a seamless experience as supplements play consecutively without additional user intervention. This thoughtful design choice amplifies the viewing experience by promoting a continuous engagement with the film’s supplementary materials. Notably, the disc includes promotional content from Well Go USA, though these trailers might interrupt the primary content flow, beginning automatically both after specific extras and upon disc startup. It's worth noting that the physical packaging is enhanced with a slipcover, adding an element of visual appeal to the physical product.
Extras included in this disc:
- Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.
- Well Go USA Previews: Clips from other film releases.
- Character Bios: Short profiles of characters in HD.
Movie: 71
"Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman" offers an engaging cinematic experience that deftly blends the tones of supernatural thrillers like "The Frighteners" and "The Sixth Sense." In this Korean blockbuster, Gang Dong-won stars as Dr. Cheon, a skeptical exorcist turned con artist, utilizing his quick wit and his tech-savvy assistant, Kang Im-bae, played by Lee Dong-hwi, to deceive unsuspecting clients. The film cleverly incorporates elements from both comedy and action genres, presenting a story that's inherently light-hearted yet peppered with high-intensity scenes and culturally rich lore derived from Asian supernatural narratives. The inclusion of Esom as Yoo-gyeong, who can see spirits, adds depth and tension to the plot as it unravels into a race against time to defeat an ancestral foe.
Director Kim Seong-sik infuses the film with a comic book-like ambiance, attributed to its origins as a webtoon. This manifests in vibrant cinematography and dynamic CGI, which, while not as advanced as Hollywood standards, accomplishes its goal effectively, providing an immersive visual spectacle. The film oscillates between humor and moments that aspire to tug at the heartstrings, though emotional depth may sometimes take second place to kinetic energy and playful banter. While the narrative occasionally dips in momentum, particularly in its transition from the second to the third act, it recovers to deliver an exciting climax that combines shamanistic lore with action. With supporting performances from familiar faces like Lee Jeong-eun and Park Myeong-hoon from "Parasite," "Dr. Cheon" lays down a promising foundation for what seems like a burgeoning franchise in Korean cinema.
Total: 70
"Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman" delivers an engaging cinematic experience for fans of Asian action and ghost narratives. Directed by Kim Seong-sik and headlined by the adept performances of Gang Dong-won, Huh Joon-ho, Esom, and Lee Dong-hwi, this film captivates with its entertaining premise and solid execution. While it harks back to some genre tropes, which make the storyline occasionally predictable, it compensates with delightful character interplay and dynamic action sequences. The aspect ratio of 2.39:1 AVC ensures a visually rich presentation, complemented by the Korean DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track, providing an immersive auditory experience.
The Blu-ray edition released by Well Go USA on February 27th, 2024, upholds high technical standards. The visuals maintain clarity and detail, enhancing the atmospheric settings integral to the story's tone. Despite its exceptional audio-visual quality, the release falls short in supplemental features, offering only a few trailers and a minor biographical clip. This oversight does not detract significantly from the overall package but is noticeable for collectors seeking more behind-the-scenes insights or additional content.
In conclusion, while not reaching the iconic status of Gang Dong-Won's "Woochi The Demon Slayer," "Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman" still stands as a commendable entry in the genre. Its larger-than-life approach and engaging story make it a worthwhile addition to any collection. Perfect for a fun movie night, it promises to be a treat for those who appreciate a blend of action, humor, and supernatural elements in their films. Recommended for its entertaining value and technical presentation.
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 90
Said mix is quite active, with lots of activity during the supernatural battles, as well as some really great surround effects with whizzing sword sounds and various explosions from the mystical mage....
Audio: 90
Extras: 20
...
Movie: 80
Sure, there’s some wonkiness at the end of the 2nd act (or beginning of the third depending on how you look at it), but overall Dr. Cheon is just simply a big fun action/ghost story without trying to be...
Total: 80
The Blu-ray looks and sounds pretty stinking stellar with the only minor gripe being that Well Go USA has once again kept the extras to a few trailers and ONE minor Bio clip....
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 90
I was quite pleased to see that a sometime bugaboo on Well Go USA Blu-rays, banding, actually didn't make any appearances in any number of fog or mist shrouded scenes, and there is a rather nicely modulated...
Audio: 90
Unsurprisingly, the showiest effects come courtesy of some of the otherworldly moments, and a repeated use of a kind of cosmic chain (one of the less convincing CGI elements on the video side of the ledger)...
Extras: 20
Note: As tends to be the case with Well Go USA Blu-ray releases, the disc has been authored so that supplements follow one another automatically (so that clicking on Character Bios is essentially a Play...
Movie: 70
If The Frighteners and Psych were to have a cinematic child, the result might be something quite like Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman (evidently kind of weirdly also known by a title missing a definite...
Total: 70
Cheon, Im-bae and kindly elder quasi-shaman Mr. Hwang (Kim Jong-soo) are ultimately joined by Yoo-kyung and Yoo-min as this presumed first installment draws to a close, seemingly obviously paving the way...
Director: Kim Seong-sik
Actors: Gang Dong-won, Huh Joon-ho, Esom
PlotDr. Cheon is a renowned paranormal expert known for his unwavering skepticism about the supernatural, claiming that logic and science can debunk any ghostly encounter. He has built a reputation on exposing fraudulent practices and illusions dressed as supernatural phenomena. His fame leads him to a small, secluded village haunted by inexplicable occurrences, where his logical explanations meet their ultimate test. Despite his doubts, Dr. Cheon is drawn to the case by increasingly strange incidents that defy his scientific understanding. Accompanying him is So-hee, a resourceful journalist with a deep interest in uncovering the truth behind local legends. As they delve into the mystery, they discover a hidden world where ancient talismans and curses are believed to hold real power.
During their investigation, Dr. Cheon's skepticism is challenged when they meet the reclusive village shaman, who warns of an impending doom linked to a lost talisman said to guard a dark secret. The shaman's warnings and the growing danger push Dr. Cheon and So-hee towards uncovering a truth entwined with history and myth. Tensions rise when the villagers’ fear turns into hostility, suspicious of the outsiders disrupting their fragile peace. As Dr. Cheon delves deeper, he encounters something beyond rationality, forcing him to confront the limits of his beliefs. Adversities mount as Dr. Cheon realizes that embracing the unknown might be the only way to unravel the mystery and prevent an impending crisis that threatens to engulf the village—and perhaps himself—in its wake.
Writers: N/A
Release Date: 27 Sep 2023
Runtime: 98 min
Rating: N/A
Country: South Korea
Language: Korean