New to the US Label Eureka comes out guns blazing with the two-disc limited Blu-ray edition of the Jet Li starrer Black Mask.
The Film(s)
Rather than discuss as normal a review of the film I’ve decided to write up the 4 different versions of the film to discuss each of them albeit however briefly as they each deserve to be discussed.
Hong Kong Cut [1:39:58]
The best of the best. I’ve never talked about this but for the most part (rare exceptions) I always prefer the original theatrical release of a film. There has to be some pretty big studio interference (see Brazil as the ultimate example of this), or Ridley Scott or James Cameron’s cut of the film. Most of those additional cuts don’t add anything to the film. Daniel Lee’s original release cut of Black Mask is a lean, mean action film. A compact sub-100-minute film that cuts all the fat away from a story that’s your basic proto-comic book hero story of the mid-to-late 1990s.
Quiet Librarian (Li) is actually an unwitting participant in a super soldier program called “701”. Though he can only hide from his past so long before the Squad Members of the 701 find him. Can he keep his cop buddy (Lau Ching-wan), the girl with a crush on him (Karen Mok) safe from the 701 and its powerful Commander.
The film borrows heavily from Green Hornet (specifically Kato’s iconic garb) so much so the police and media in the film dubbed the Black Mask, “Kato”. Though the film seems to borrow all of its story elements from different places it never feels like a pastiche. The film manages to take even the wildest elements of the library and everything that happens within and makes it work – because of the speed at which everything occurs. Literally, before anyone has time to question anything the film is onto the next beat or action scene.
The original aspect of the film is what you expect – the fight/action set pieces. As designed by legendary choreographer Yuen Woo-ping the action scenes are slick, fast, and impactful. The only minor quibble is the editing of these fights (in all versions) is just too rapidly paced for this reviewer’s tastes – not allowing for the beauty of the work to really be enjoyed. That said almost thirty years on Black Mask still rivals most of what’s released in the action genre in the West.
American Dubbed [1:27:14]
This reviewer has no room for Dubbed versions of any foreign films. This may be one of the worst with not only its English dub but also the fact they changed the soundtrack for a Hip-Hop flavored score/soundtrack. It’s this type of questionable choices along with the voice acting (Jet Li it appears wasn’t asked to dub his own voice) make this the least desirable of versions. They’ve reconfigured a lot of the film including adding a voice-over narration that adds some “clarity” to the story. But they’ve stripped the film of most of its “humanity” by removing 10 minutes from an already lean film. However, it should not be discounted as it does include all the gory bits that were not included in other versions.
Taiwanese Cut [1:40:57]
The legend is much more entertaining than the truth. The Taiwanese cut of the film only contains about 2-minutes of extra footage and an alternate opening text crawl. All of it gore or violence-related.
Extended Cut [1:42:18]
I love when a label does this kind of thing. They edited together all footage (no matter how short or long) into this Extended Cut of the film. What’s the most interesting about this cut is the various footage has either different tinting or quality to it. So much so, that if one watches all three cuts, you can figure out what piece of additional footage goes with what film. It was very interesting watching all cuts (including commentary) THEN watching the Extended Cut. I would actually recommend this way of viewing for maximum results.
The Transfer(s)
Important Note: the Hong Kong version and US Versions are the ones that have been Restored in 2K. Both the Taiwanese Cut and Extended Cut of the film are not fully restored and are created from multiple sources – all of which are disclosed on the menu screens when beginning the Taiwanese Cut and Extended Cut of the film on the second disc.
Both the fully uncut Hong Kong and the Original US version presented in 1080p from a 2K restoration are wonderful versions of the film. The transfer is razor-sharp and free of any dirt, scratches, or blemishes. It should be noted that both transfers have taken away the “green tint” that was present in both above versions during the initial theatrical release. The result is an image that’s less a relic of its time and more of a modern look to a film. Many will find Umbridge with what’s essentially a clean-up of the original visual intent.
Not to worry, both the Taiwanese and Extended cut appear to keep that green tint of the original releases as they are both from older image sources.
The Extras
They include the following;
Disc One
- Brand new audio commentary on the Hong Kong version by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film festival)
- Brand new audio commentary on the US export version by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- Mega Shock: A Chat with Mike Lambert
- Andrew Heskins on Black Mask
- Leon Hunt on Black Mask
- Archival Making of featurette
- Trailers
Disc Two
- Alternate Taiwanese cut of the film
- Extended version of Black Mask featuring all the unique footage from the various releases of the film re-inserted
The all-new audio commentary on the Hong Kong version by Asian film expert Frank Djeng opens with his credentials before diving into the film. Some of the details include the literal translation of the Cantonese title; the releases and the massive box office success of the film; producer Tsui Hark – and the rumor that he ghost directed the film; the various cuts of the film – including Taiwanese cut of the film; the career and work of Jet Li; the lack of superhero films in HK Film – a larger discussion of those films and the reasons why they are not as popular as they are in the west; the reason why the sci-fi genre was not popular; the career and personal history of director Daniel Lee; the work of Yuen Wo-ping in the film; discussions throughout about the various cultural touchstones, slang, and other pieces that maybe loss on non-HK or Chinese audiences; larger discussions throughout of the various locations and areas used during the production; a larger discussion of the comic book the film was based on and what was and wasn’t adapted into the film; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down because Frank goes fast with the various titles the different actors had been in and were famous; and much more. Djeng delivers another well-researched and informative commentary track.
The all-new audio commentary on the US export version by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema excitedly opens with their love of this film. Some of the other details include a discussion about the literal translation of the title; the violence of the Export version; a great discussion of the other name of Chow Yuen-Fat; the work outside of this film of the great Lau Ching-wan; the work of the great Anthony Wong – a larger discussion of his life and career; a discussion about the Hip-Hop soundtracks of Martial Arts films that were released in the late 90s to the early 00s; the work of producer Tsui Hark – including some truly great and wild anecdotes about the various productions he produced; the sequel that was made in 2005 – the crazy English cast, the production, and the wild release of the film; a larger discussion about other “Black Mask” films; the casting what if of Donnie Yen – a possible choice that Hark thought about casting; a great discussion of the editors on the film – including a larger discussion of American versions of different films like Rumble in the Brox and First Strike; a larger discussion about director Daniel Lee – and his style both here and in other films from his career; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career; a larger discussion of the various locations the production used and some great personal and professional anecdotes about them; and much more. It cannot be stated enough that Leeder and Venema are the best at what they do. Their track Black Mask – Export Version is no exception. The wealth of information, humor, and anecdotes – both personal and from the production – is as entertaining as the Export Cut maybe even more so. Required listening.
Mega Shock: A Chat with Mike Lambert (29:53) – is an all-new interview with the stuntman that begins with just how he got involved with stunt work in Hong Kong. This interview is not just focused on Black Mask but a career-spanning interview where Lambert discusses his truly wild career in the HK stunt industry – starting on Video Games and working his way through the ranks eventually discussing how he got hired on Black Mask and the work he did. Also, some great anecdotes from other projects all the way up to what he is currently involved in. There is a great story about working JCVD’s The Quest that must be noted. The interview features some truly great footage all edited and composited together quite beautifully. Narrated by Arne Venema (who also edited the feature, but produced it with his partner in crime Mike Leeder) this interview is a truly entertaining and enlightening interview that should really be watched rather than discussed.
Andrew Heskins on Black Mask (8:38) – is an all-new interview with the film critic who discusses Black Mask and all aspects of the production including the work of Jet Li, producer Tsui Hark, and director Daniel Lee. The interview dissects the themes, the background of the story, the background and context of the various players involved, and the 90s Superhero boom in which the film was made.
Leon Hunt on Black Mask (15:56) – is an all-new interview with the author of Kung Fu Cult Masters: From Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger discusses Black Mask from the perspective of Jet Li’s career building into superstardom. Hunt uses his great understanding of Li’s career to build a featurette discussing the various films in his career that got him to Black Mask. Additionally, we’re given a look at Li’s various contemporaries and their versions of this oft-told tale. The context and insight that Hunt gives a fascinating look at the career of a star who was not HK-born but is a Mainlander – which is vital to understanding Black Mask and Li’s career.
Archival Making of featurette (19:32) – This fairly comprehensive making-of Black Mask. Featuring B-roll footage from the making of the film as well as interviews the featurette covers all aspects of the film – including pre-production design work, costume tests, stunt work, actors, and direction. Featuring interviews with producer Tsui Hark, star Jet Li, actors Lau Ching-wan, Françoise Yip, Karen Mok, and more. In both English and Cantonese with English Subtitles.
Trailers
- Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (1:59) – in Cantonese with English Subtitles
- US Trailer #1 (0:59) – in English
- US Trailer #2 (1:54) – in English
- US Home Video Trailer (1:00) – in English
The Final Thought
Is if Eureka’s edition of Black Mask is what is to come of the boutique label’s output and a marker of things to come… we’re in for a truly wonderful collection of titles. Highest Recommendations!!!