Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame - December 13, 2011

[lkmg]

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Blu-ray

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Blu-ray Review

Newcomers Indomina Releasing have revealed that they are planning to release on Blu-ray Tsui Hark's Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010). Earlier this year, the film won six Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Director, Best Actress (Carina Lau) and Best Visual Effects. Street date is December 13th.

A bizarre murder mystery brings together the most powerful woman in China, the soon-to-be-Empress Wu Zetian (Carina Lau, Curiosity Kills the Cat), and a formerly exiled detective, Dee Renjie (Andy Lau, Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon), at the infamous Imperial Palace. Hoping that he will solve the crime before her coronation, Wu appoints Dee Chief Judge of the Empire and implores him to combine his indisputable wisdom with his unparalleled martial arts skills to save the future of her dynasty. Director Hark Tsui (Seven Swords) teams with stunt director Sammo Huang in this heart-pounding, epic thriller inspired by the incredible true story of one of the Tang Dynasty's most celebrated officials.

[Todd_Gaines]

I imported a copy from Amazon UK. Still waiting for it because it was super cheap and there was a long wait for shipping. The UK disc looks real good from the reviews so hopefully for the non-importers this BD will be on par.

[trefork]

The UK is listed at 123 minutes, the US only 119 minutes.

[Dragon Lee]

The UK is listed at 123 minutes, the US only 119 minutes.

probly just a typo. Indomina did a great job with True Legend and I trust they'll do the same with Detective Dee.

[PoorSignal]

Does anyone know if this movie originally shown / filmed in Cantonese or Mandarin?
Because the HK BD has both (and in 7.1 too) and the US version will only get Mandarin in 5.1

I hate dub / lip sync audio.

[CaptYamato]

I've been meaning to watch this. I'll just wait for this blu and not import.

[monkeywonder]

Originally Posted by PoorSignal

Does anyone know if this movie originally shown / filmed in Cantonese or Mandarin?
Because the HK BD has both (and in 7.1 too) and the US version will only get Mandarin in 5.1

I hate dub / lip sync audio.

It's one of those complicated situations where some of the actors are Mandarin speakers and some Cantonese, so whichever you opt for there will be some dubbing. Mandarin seems to be the 'official' language as that's how it's going out outside of China (the UK blu ray is Mandarin only too). I'm pretty sure Andy Lau is speaking Mandarin in this film, it sounds like him and it seemed in sync to me though I have heard other people suggest he's dubbed. I watched the UK disc and it really didn't seem to have that annoying out of sync, overlayed sound feeling that dubbing often has so if you watch the Mandarin track you shouldn't have to worry from that perspective

[PoorSignal]

OK I am pre-ordering this one, I havn't seen it before.

Is there good rewatchability for this movie once you already know the "mystery" part?

Could you tell me if this film's production is beautiful and the fight scenes are amazing to watch?

By the way, 84% on rotten tomatoes.

[Dragon Lee]

Detective Dee is a great looking film, an HK film that could actually compete with a giant Hollywood production. Fights scenes are very wire driven. lots of spectacular jumping and flying but being a fantasy film, it gets a pass from me. (Im not a wire-fu fan). As far as rewatchability goes, Ive watched it atleast 4 times since buying the blu. Personally I think its the best of the recent mega budget China/HK co-productions. its a fun popcorn movie that you'll enjoy. buy with ease.

[Slaveknight]

damn I cant wait for this one to be shipped. I forgot on this one focusing on some transformers and some marvel stuffs. Cant wait it tomorrow, will post some screenshots after watching. Awesome

[stobbart]

I just saw this film about a week ago in theaters....it was a real disappointment. All the reviews online where claiming that Tsui Hark was coming back into his form and this was his best film in the past decade or so...If this is his best film then he must not be a very good director. This film was a waste of time and was one the worst and most over-hyped films I have seen in a long time

[BigManDeath]

I have the HK blu-ray - would love to know if the Indomina release is superior (sounds like the UK disc is definitely an upgrade to the HK from the reviews on this site). If anyone knows, please post. Thanks.

[Menteith]

Originally Posted by BigManDeath

I have the HK blu-ray - would love to know if the Indomina release is superior (sounds like the UK disc is definitely an upgrade to the HK from the reviews on this site). If anyone knows, please post. Thanks.

Would love to hear that as well. Also an owner of the HK version.

[Deciazulado]

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Blu-ray Review

[backslashio]

Hideous looking boxart for the US release, much like the AU cover which I simply refused to buy UK cover ftw!

Still need to watch my UK version, I've already seen it but just not on bluray

[BigManDeath]

Sounds like the US disc is a winner. Gonna get rid of the HK and upgrade.

[Dragon Lee]

I'll upgrade my HK version at some point. still a bit pissed that English subs on HK disc are actually for the Cantonese track instead of Mandarin.

[Menteith]

Is the PQ on the US really superior to the HK? I thought that the HK hat an absolutely fantastic PQ.

[Blu Titan]

Just blind bought this. Should be a fun watch .

[Freeza]

Originally Posted by backslashio

Hideous looking boxart for the US release, much like the AU cover which I simply refused to buy UK cover ftw!

Still need to watch my UK version, I've already seen it but just not on bluray

If you enjoyed that, you should take a peek at the disc art. Who the #$@! thought it would be a good idea to put one of those postage stamp looking things that you scan to see the trailer on it? The one on the sticker on the shrinkwrap I can understand... you're in the store, you have no idea what the film is, you scan it and see. But to put one on the disc itself? Ridiculous. If you're at a point where you can open the case and see the disc you're already committed and can just pop the disc in a player. trivial in the grand scheme of things, but just mind boggling at how dumb marketing can be.