Dragon Fist 4K UHD (88 Films)

[Alexcap]

waited months for them to announce what was going to be on the discs just for them to announce what I already predicted was going to be on the disc and whats on the disc its the same david west interview from the first release and a new commentary with Frank Djang & FJ DeSanto and a not much else other than a 80page book fold out poster and 6 loby cards.

[Markgway]

And a new 4K master.

What were you expecting?

[Telemachus]

Educate me on this film, worth it? I have only seen three Lo Wei films and one of them was a borefest (New Fist of Fury), and of course the other two are the Lee films. This seems pricey for one movie I'm not familiar with. Help me spend more money.

[cooey]

Originally Posted by Markgway

And a new 4K master.

What were you expecting?

He expects there to be some magical new extras that never existed in the first place. I don’t think he seems to understand that just because a movie gets re-released, that doesn’t mean there’s going to be a whole host of new extras too.

Doesn’t take into account the new 4K master, new subs, etc.

[cooey]

Specs as per 88 -

Includes Rigid Slipcase With Classic Hong Kong Poster Art (Exclusive) Or Brand New Art By 'Kung Fu Bob' O'Brien
- Double-Sided Foldout Poster
- 6X Lobby Card Reproductions
- 80 Page Perfect-Bound Book With Articles By Paul Bramhall, Andy Heskins And James Oliver

Disc
- 4K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative presented in Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR10 Compatible)
- 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in original 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray disc also included
- Mandarin Dual Mono with English Subtitles
- Cantonese Dual Mono with English Subtitles
- Alternate Cantonese Dual Mono with English Subtitles
- English Dual Mono
- Brand new feature length audio commentary by Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) & FJ DeSanto
- Interview with David West
- Japanese Opening Credits
- Japanese TV Spot
- Japanese Trailer
- Then & Now Gallery
- Hong Kong Trailer
- Lobby card gallery

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

Educate me on this film, worth it? I have only seen three Lo Wei films and one of them was a borefest (New Fist of Fury), and of course the other two are the Lee films. This seems pricey for one movie I'm not familiar with. Help me spend more money.

It's the best of Jackie's Lo Wei films if that helps.

[MifuneFan]

Dragon Fist Restoration Comparison - Before / After - YouTube

[Telemachus]

Originally Posted by Markgway

It's the best of Jackie's Lo Wei films if that helps.

Lol it doesn't, if it's better than New Fist of Fury that's a low bar, and I am unfamiliar with what else they made together, Fearless Hyena II which also blows chunks?

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

Lol it doesn't, if it's better than New Fist of Fury that's a low bar, and I am unfamiliar with what else they made together, Fearless Hyena II which also blows chunks?

Then there's no way I can help.

Buy it, perhaps. And if you don't like it avoid the rest.

[The Mole]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Dragon Fist Restoration Comparison - Before / After - YouTube

I would have liked a comparison between the new 4k transfer and the old 2k transfer.

This just shows the new restoration in its raw scan and its completed form. And raw scan colors are always muted.

[Jackie Scanlon]

Originally Posted by The Mole

I would have liked a comparison between the new 4k transfer and the old 2k transfer.

This just shows the new restoration in its raw scan and its completed form. And raw scan colors are always muted.

Agreed. My old pan and scan VHS looked better than the original raw scan, so it's not really a fair comparison. That being said, I have no doubt that this new 88 release will not only be an improvement on the previous blu, but also the best the film has ever looked and will ever look.

[omgitsgodzilla]

Anyone else notice that the unrestored title card appears faded to red (like typical Eastman print fade) while the rest of the footage appears kind of tealish (i.e. inverted from a red-faded negative)? I wonder if they pulled that from a print or an interpositive or something.

Originally Posted by The Mole

I would have liked a comparison between the new 4k transfer and the old 2k transfer.

This just shows the new restoration in its raw scan and its completed form. And raw scan colors are always muted.

I would like to see that as well, but I can see why 88 might want to avoid posting a direct comparison that's so unflattering to the licensor's own assets. I think Criterion did something like that with Seven Samurai and got Toho mad at them.

That said, though, I'm sure a bunch of us in here have the old disc and we'll be seeing that type of comparison as soon as people start getting their copies of the new one. The old transfer is available to the public for comparison; the raw scan the new release is based on isn't!

[gnik_drazil]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

Educate me on this film, worth it? I have only seen three Lo Wei films and one of them was a borefest (New Fist of Fury), and of course the other two are the Lee films. This seems pricey for one movie I'm not familiar with. Help me spend more money.

Recently, I have been going through the Shout Factory Jackie Chan Collection Vol 1. It took me 3 sitting sessions to get through Dragon Fist. I would only recommend it for die hard kung fu or Jackie Chan fans.

[Chumpster99]

It's an admittedly minor gripe, but do sort of wish it was masked to 2.39:1 instead of being 2.35:1 with attempted digital cleanup of the splice marks. Again, relatively minor and nowhere near a dealbreaker (this is going to be a very nice upgrade from the DNR'd BD), but masking it would arguably be more accurate to how scope films were projected theatrically too on top of also saving time/money vs. trying to totally digitally erase the splices. Also results in less cleanup oddities with moving objects/actors that brush up against the edges of the frame at shot changes, but again, very minor issue compared to others a transfer could have.

[omgitsgodzilla]

Leave 'em in, I say

[zee944]

Originally Posted by gnik_drazil

Recently, I have been going through the Shout Factory Jackie Chan Collection Vol 1. It took me 3 sitting sessions to get through Dragon Fist. I would only recommend it for die hard kung fu or Jackie Chan fans.

Dragon Fist, with or without Jackie Chan, is an all-around well made old school kung fu movie with a proper story and good fight choreography. I can understand that some people may find it only "average", but if someone hates it or finds it extremely boring must have a strong dislike towards old school kung fu movies or Jackie Chan.

[cooey]

88's site exclusive of Dragon Fist is now live to pre-order - HERE for £29.99

[cooey]

Packshots...

[Doomhunter]

I’m guessing the website exclusive has sold out as I no longer see it on the website. I had already ordered anyhow

[cooey]

Originally Posted by Doomhunter

I’m guessing the website exclusive has sold out as I no longer see it on the website. I had already ordered anyhow

No, they’ve just removed it whilst they run this Black Friday promo so people can’t order it with any kind of discount. It’ll be back on the site next week.