Jackie Chan's First Strike and Rumble in the Bronx - October 6, 2015

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by meremortal

This is one of those sad cases where I'll just stick with the old uncut LDs (which look like a solid VHS at best). Just don't really like the US cuts or dubs of these movies.

I've actually got both of these on Japanese LD Having seen both cuts of RITB, the US version still gets the job done, but yeah, First Strike just becomes action scene after action scene with minimal remaining plot.

Plus the lack of the "Hero Story" '96 mix over the end credits of First Strike in the US version is inexcusable. Hell, it was one of the few connecting fibers to the first three Police Story films aside from Bill Tung!

[Lt. Brannigan]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Probably the best way to play a Game Gear.

The Game Gear played an important role in one of tne greatest movies ever made! Don't you knock it.

[Irongod2112]

I shall be picking these up!

Normally I'm a Jackie Chan purist and HATE
any cuts or English dubbing on a Chan film and
would be in full protest mode!!

But these are two examples where the US cuts are better...

The Hong Kong versions of these 2 films have such bad acting
from the English actors that the dubbing is definitely an improvement
and in the case for Rumble in the Bronx adds to it's charm.

First Strike's Hong Kong cut is also just too long... the US cut feels just right.

Both films had pretty lame original music scores & the
US scores are a bit better!

Now if Warner can release Jackie Chan's THUNDERBOLT on blu that would be
an awesome release!! The New Line DVD was uncut Hong Kong version with original soundtrack & English subs it also had an English dub too...

Also Mr. Nice Guy would be a good release as well as
there not too many cuts in it...and I actually think the US cut is an improvement too!

[Cplhicks]

I would love uncut versions but I am still psyched to finally be able to get HD versions of these. I've been tempted by the digital copies for ages. Glad I held out! Yes!

[OldPangYau]

Hell, I would have loved to have seen New Line release Police Story outside of VHS and LD. Even though it's cut and dubbed, the color timing on their version is far better than the HKL and Dragon Dynasty DVDs, and desperately need a true HD release.

But New Line/Warner hasn't had the rights to Police Story 1 and 2 for quite a few years now. Pretty much in Shout Factory's court at the moment. Uncut and subtitled at least, but woefully bad upscales.

But back to RITB and First Strike While the pacing is better in the US version of First Strike, the plot becomes more of a head scratcher.

[shredking9000]

Finally! I've been waiting for them to release First Strike for years now. Don't care if it's the dubbed version, since that's the one I grew up with. [Although I can understand why others would be disappointed.]

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by OldPangYau

Plus the lack of the "Hero Story" '96 mix over the end credits of First Strike in the US version is inexcusable. Hell, it was one of the few connecting fibers to the first three Police Story films aside from Bill Tung!

The thing I hate most about the non HK versions of Jackie's films are the soundtracks being changed. Specifically the songs that Jackie sings. When I first saw the HK cuts of Armour of God 1 & 2 and heard the songs Jackie sings as they travel I was blown away. I don't understand why they remove the original soundtracks.

[Markgway]

Jackie's not-that-great singing is an essential part of these movies' charm. American distributors don't seem to understand that. What bugs me most isn't that New Line and Dimension screwed up these releases for the US market, but that they ensured that the rest of the world suffered likewise.

[Starman22]

It good to heard to coming to Blu and I'm enjoying both film and Jackie Chan is a hilarious actor.... I wish they should put Double Feature Blu

[reason108]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Jackie's not-that-great singing is an essential part of these movies' charm. American distributors don't seem to understand that. What bugs me most isn't that New Line and Dimension screwed up these releases for the US market, but that they ensured that the rest of the world suffered likewise.

I wish that JC would have cared enough to sue their asses off for messing with his films!
And, I think they had to build a new level in hell just for the Weinsteins to live when they kick the bucket!

[tbryson880]

Didn't know these didn't have Blu releases. It's nice that this is happening but if it's not Directors cut it's pointless to me.

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by reason108

I wish that JC would have cared enough to sue their asses off for messing with his films!

Chan actually participated in the Western redubbing of his older films for New Line & Dimension. This started with Rumble in the Bronx, Michelle Yeoh also did her redubs for Police Story III: Supercop and Once A Cop/Project S/Supercop 2.

Its funny too since the recent Dragon Dynasty interview for PSIII: Supercop, Chan actually says he prefers the longer HK version. The DVD only offered the shorter US version.

[AeroK]

Awesome. I was waiting for these to be released.

[benricci]

Originally Posted by reason108

I wish that JC would have cared enough to sue their asses off for messing with his films!

He fully participated in the Westernization of these titles.

[tenebre6]

Originally Posted by reason108

I wish that JC would have cared enough to sue their asses off for messing with his films!
And, I think they had to build a new level in hell just for the Weinsteins to live when they kick the bucket!

I am pretty sure JC does not own the international distro rights on any of these films. He "MIGHT" on some newer ones that he exec produced but even then doubtful.

Actors and even directors have little to no say in what becomes of their films after their job is done.

100$ of the blame should go on the Weinsteins for believing they are superior to all Asian film makers (as they consistently recut Asian films) and a tine bit of blame on the people who support them

[Reno Fan]

I wish they split this DVD set up (Jackie Chan Experience):

[Show spoiler]

Give us Rumble in the Bronx and Thunderbolt on one disc and First Strike and Mr. Nice Guy on a separate disc.

The set has Rumble in the Bronx and First Strike together, but we can separate them for the sake of sales ... which is what they already have done.

First Strike and Mr. Nice Guy DVD Disc:

[Show spoiler]

[Geoff D]

The UK disc of Rumble looks REALLY nice (once you've corrected the lack of conversion from PC levels, thanks StudioCanal!) so the Warners version should be just as good.

+1 for a BD release of Thunderbolt, I love that flick.

[Markgway]

Thunderbolt - the only JC film not screwed up by the Hollywood studios.

Ironic, given that it's one of his poorest.

[Geoff D]

Boy, there's never a silver lining for you anywhere, is there?

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Boy, there's never a silver lining for you anywhere, is there?