Hard Boiled [DVD] [1993]

This is a review of the 2004 Region 2 DVD from Prism Leisure, which name-checks Tartan Films and Tartan Video on the labelling (but I am not sure what the connection is). I purchased this SPECIFIC version of ‘Hard-Boiled’, having read through many of the reviews on this site, which warn against purchasing a dubbed version. The purchase information for the Prism version reads as follows: ‘Language: Cantonese Chinese’ and ‘Subtitles: English’.Well, as my title and 1 Star rating will tell you, this version is NOT in Cantonese with English subtitles. It is ONLY in dubbed English, on a VERY poor-looking disc, with a most peculiar aspect ratio. The dubbing was dreadful, and the speed of the disc actually seemed to vary! I have rarely seen a worse DVD quality, and very soon, we regretfully concluded that it was unwatchable. Those other Amazon reviewers on this page, who say the same things as I do, are ABSOLUTELY correct. If I had not purchased this disc via a highly rated Amazon seller, I would wonder if this was pirated, it was SO poor.Thankfully, Amazon has been SUPERB, and have refunded me.So, this is a Star rating given ONLY for the product, to ensure that other purchasers don’t make the mistake I did, DESPITE being on the alert for precisely this problem. And can I make a plea to other reviewers ~ PLEASE specify the version you have found poor or defective, to help others avoid this sort of problem…

Firstly, this to me this and The Killer, are the definitive John Woo films. Made relatively early in his career before Holywood heard of him. Full of super cool beautifully choreographed, almost balletic shoot outs. The film oozes that HK kinetic action style. Chow Yun-Fat is excellent to watch, as ever......BUT.....BUT.....this is the ridiculous dubbed version,which completely ruins the atmosphere, with awful american-english voice acting (where do they find these people??), hence the two stars.Do yourself a favour, pick up the undubbed version. And while your at it, pick up "The Killer" as well. Then you're all set for a good night in! Nobody does it like John Woo.

I bought this to replace my aged Video Cassette which is now so badly worn you can almost see through it. The DVD Collectors edition is excellent. I was thrown at first as the opening credits suggest its going to be a boxed version of the film, but afterwards it shifts to a full screen. Its an excellent re-mastered copy of what I regard as a classic and still John Woo's best.Now for the film itself. Well I put it on when I received it to just watch the first five minutes to check the quality, which was a stupid thing to do because I was immediately sucked back into this action masterpiece and ended up watching the whole movie. This you must understand is a film I've watched more times than I can remember.I hadn't watched it for some years, but John Woo's direction, the cast, the stunts, plot and just sheer pace and narrative just held me spell bound all over again. This film from 1991 doesn't use any CGI, so its three big action packed, stunt filled scenes are all real, no computers involved, just jaw dropping, bone crunching, explosive action packed cinema at its very best.When John Woo made 'Broken Arrow' apparently John Travolta wasn't convinced he should do the movie with this 'unknown' Chinese director. It took Christian Slater going round to Travolta's house with a copy of Hard Boiled, and made Travolta sit down and watch it to get him to come on board.The cover states 'Its better than a dozen Die Hards', oh yes, its true and in fact when I watch any action movie Hard Boiled is my yardstick, especially as John Woo didn't have access to any CGI, so very rarely does any modern 'action' movie measure up. In fact I've seen so many copy or even steal scenes from Hard Boiled its embarrassing.So, before I ramble on any further, buy it. This is John Woo at the very top of his game, along with Chow Yan Fat, and Tony Leung giving superb performances. Quite frankly the best of the best when it comes to gun toting explosive action.

I'm afraid that this edition is the best transfer available at the moment ( 28th May 2015) which is a real shame because at present it's $399.99 from Amazon. Com.I'm sure that you know the film inside out so I'll just give you the tech stuff.126 mins, Cantonese Dolby digital mono, English Dolby digital mono (Dubbed), English subtitles.The special features: Dual layer (It's never looked better).Audio commentary by John Woo,Producer Terence Chan,filmmaker Roger Avery and critic David Kehr.Trailers for 11 of Woo's Hong-Kong films.A student film by Woo called Accidentally.1968,10 mins.A guide to Hong-Kong crime films by David Chute.Notes on Hard Boiled.If you're lucky enough to find this particular version second hand, snap that hand off. At the time of writing there is a Vivendi Visual edition that's affordable but apparently it suffers the same problematic transfer as all the other versions, which is such a shame as I think that this is no less worthy of proper bluray transfer as say Kurosawa, Park Chan -Wook or Scorsese. My own opinion, of course, I'm sure others may disagree.This particular edition has been out of print for ages, so good luck, it's well worth buying.

This is an English dubbed version, which isn't what is specified in the info about the DVD. It's also of a terrible quality, I mean really poor. Very disappointed.

This is action at its loudest,fast so you can't see through the plot,humour in partsIt's not a film to think about but a good way to pass a couple of hoursIt is violent,but it's artistically doneThe acting and directing is impressive,and you can't take your eyes off the DVDIt's a guy movie,I enjoyed it