Chinese Zodiac Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation of "Chinese Zodiac" is a mixed bag that boasts commendable merits despite its flaws, reflecting a deliberate artistic choice rather than technical shortcomings. The image offers robust detail and sharpness across a variety of scenes, with a particular strength in clean edge definition and well-resolved textures. This ensures that the action-packed narrative and vibrant set pieces are captured with clarity, albeit with some issues in color representation and contrast levels. Colors and skin tones occasionally appear skewed, veering away from their natural hues, and contrast tends to be overly pronounced, leading to somewhat oppressive black levels. However, these aspects do not detract significantly from the viewing experience, as they seem to align with the creative direction envisioned by Jackie Chan and his team.

Despite the presence of softness throughout and an artificial crispness that sometimes imparts a harsh visual tone, it's clear that these elements stem from the original source rather than from an inferior Blu-ray encode. The video is remarkably free of common issues such as ringing, aliasing, artifacting, and banding, showcasing a clean and stable presentation that fans of the film will appreciate. This level of detail and fidelity ensures that "Chinese Zodiac" remains visually engaging and true to its intended aesthetic.

In conclusion, while "Chinese Zodiac's" Blu-ray video presentation may not reach the pinnacle of high-definition action film standards, it remains a faithful and polished deliverance of the movie's dynamic visuals. The thoughtful preservation of the original artistic intentions, alongside a clear and detailed rendering, provides an enjoyable viewing experience. This Blu-ray offers a testament to the intricate balance between embracing stylistic choices and maintaining technical quality in film preservation.

The North American Blu-ray of "Chinese Zodiac" limits its auditory experience by offering only an English-dubbed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, a decision that detracts from the authenticity and may disappoint purists seeking the original Chinese audio. When assessed in isolation, the track exhibits certain strengths, including a robust LFE presence and dynamic use of the rear channels, which maintains a lively ambiance throughout the film. However, the dialogue tends to feel somewhat detached, possibly due to the dub's quality affecting its integration with the environmental sounds and background activities, an issue that stands out amidst the otherwise commendable audio engineering efforts.

This exclusive focus on an English dub prioritizes accessibility for a broader North American audience but comes at the cost of originality and cultural fidelity, potentially sidelining those with a preference for the film's native language track. The mix itself is notably competent, delivering clear and well-prioritized dialogue—albeit with noted discrepancies due to its dubbed nature—and an engaging soundstage that effectively utilizes the capabilities of a 5.1 surround setup to immerse the viewer. While the technical execution reveals an attention to detail in crafting an enveloping audio experience, the absence of the original Chinese track is an oversight that undermines the overall authenticity and might leave enthusiasts longing for a more genuine auditory representation of the film's cultural essence.

In essence, while the audio presentation of "Chinese Zodiac" on Blu-ray showcases technical proficiency in providing an above-average surround sound experience, it is marred by a singular reliance on an English dub. This choice, coupled with the conspicuous omission of the original Chinese audio option, places constraints on audience engagement, limiting the full potential of audiovisual immersion and cultural resonance that could have been achieved with a more inclusive audio selection strategy.

The extra content on the "Chinese Zodiac" Blu-Ray, particularly the 57-minute production documentary, stands out as a significant and superior offering to the main feature. This extensive, English-subtitled documentary, presented in HD, delves deeply into the film's creation, spotlighting Jackie Chan's respectful and appreciative approach towards his team and co-stars without delving into self-praise. It's more than just a set of interviews; it provides an engaging glance at the candid moments behind the scenes, emphasizing the meticulous effort dedicated to stunt development and execution. This special feature elevates the overall package, showcasing every production facet and asserting itself as the disc's highlight. The inclusion of on-set footage rather than conventional talking-head interviews adds a dynamic layer, making it a must-watch for viewers disappointed by the main film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Production Documentary: An extensive and comprehensive overview of the film's making with Jackie Chan and his team, focusing primarily on the film's stunts.

Jackie Chan's "Chinese Zodiac" might leave audiences feeling a touch nostalgic for the actor's more vigorous days, yet it struggles to offer the kind of thrilling action sequences and magnetic charm we've come to expect from his movies. The plot is overly complicated and fails to engage, dragging along with a pacing that feels off-kilter for a Chan adventure. Adding to the disappointment, the film’s execution—comprising a mix of not quite there performances and a pedestrian English dub (the sole audio option available)—presents few memorable moments. Not even the most ambitiously choreographed fight scenes manage to break free from the shadow of Chan’s previous work, instead appearing as less vibrant reflections of his former glory.

In "Chinese Zodiac," Chan takes on the role of Asian Hawk, embarking on a globetrotting quest to retrieve ancient Chinese zodiac bronze heads. Despite the intriguing premise and Hawk's deployment of cutting-edge gadgets, the narrative lacks the necessary depth and excitement to fully captivate. The film vacillates between tepid attempts at humor and action sequences that fail to pulse with the intensity expected of a Jackie Chan spectacle. Moreover, the character's motivations—torn between a lucrative reward offered by the antagonist Lawrence and the nobler cause of preserving historical artifacts—falter in creating a compelling emotional anchor.

Ultimately, "Chinese Zodiac" comes across as an underwhelming endeavor in Jackie Chan’s illustrious career. The movie’s inability to leverage its adventure elements or deliver high-octane action set pieces renders it a lesser entry in the Chan filmography. Fans might hold out hope for a return to form, but this particular outing suggests that even legends have their off days. Despite its potential, "Chinese Zodiac" serves as a stark reminder that not every quest yields treasure—some merely lead to the realization that some relics might be better left unfound.

The Blu-ray release of "Chinese Zodiac" leaves much to be desired, mirroring the disappointment many felt with the film itself. While the video quality of the release is commendable, offering a visually satisfying experience, the audio presentation severely undermines this aspect. The absence of a Chinese-language track is a significant oversight, forcing viewers to settle for an English-dubbed lossless track that fails to capture the essence of the original performances. This decision detracts from the authenticity and overall enjoyment of the film. Furthermore, the Blu-ray's extras are disappointingly sparse, consisting solely of one documentary. Although this documentary is of high quality and provides an in-depth look that surpasses the feature film in terms of content and engagement, it constitutes a very lean supplemental offering.

The handling of the film's director's cut, as edited by Jackie Chan himself, does little to salvage the viewing experience. This version, which cuts approximately twenty minutes from the film, does not succeed in rectifying its core issues. Viewers expecting the characteristic humor, charisma, and action synonymous with Chan’s iconic style will find themselves confronted with a product that deviates markedly from his usual oeuvre. "Chinese Zodiac" fails to deliver the expected thrilling adventure or comedic antics, instead presenting an unremarkable and tedious narrative that struggles to hold the audience's attention.

In conclusion, the North American Blu-ray release of "Chinese Zodiac" can be characterized as a missed opportunity to mend the film's initial reception. Despite delivering technically in terms of video quality, the release falters significantly in its audio options and supplementary material, offering a less-than-satisfactory home viewing experience. This release stands as a reminder that even high-quality video cannot compensate for a lackluster film and inadequate accompanying features. Regrettably, this edition does not elevate "Chinese Zodiac" beyond its original shortcomings, leaving fans and newcomers alike wanting.