Whether you're a recent convert or an established fan, "Project A" is quite possibly Jackie Chan's most incredible film. The stunts, the humour and the energy of this movie are breathtaking, a bit like the new Platinum Edition DVD from Hong Kong Legends.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture Rub your eyes and look again, for this transfer really is as fresh and clear as it looks.
Sound The new 5.1 sound mix for the film wisely keep the music and effects to the front speakers, with good bass enhancement for the kicks and punches made available through the subwoofer channel.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Disc One Special Features
Audio Commentary He was reviewing Jackie Chan's films when he was only a video star back in the 80s and 90s, and now he's written Chan's next big blockbuster. Step forward once again Bey Logan, who explains why "Project A" is not only Jackie Chan's most important movie, but also how it revolutionised Hong Kong film making. Chan badly needed a hit at the time, and took an incredible gamble by producing not only a project of such scale, but also in focusing the action on incredible stunts, which subsequently became his trademark. As always, Logan discusses the background of the plot, while also pointing out that this was an unusual Hong Kong movie due to its historical accuracy. Bey also talks frankly about the competitive nature between Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan.
Mars Interview On the DVD he's described as a "Stunt God", and that's probably not far from the truth. Mars was a pupil at the notoriously tough Peking Opera School. In this brand new 15-minute interview, he reminisces about a training establishment that often saw kids start at the age of six, with little hope of graduating until their twenties. As well as his career, Mars also takes time to dismiss the fake action that plagues modern Hollywood films.
Additional Disc One Features Also on disc one is a trailer gallery for "Project A" and a Hong Kong Legends promotional trailer gallery for other titles.
Disc Two Special Features
The Schooner Key locations in the movie are used on disc two for you to explore the features available. Here you'll find a new and rare interview with Yuen Biao, the third figure in the Jackie/Sammo/Yuen team that makes this film so special. He joined the Peking Opera School later than Chan and Hung, and would go watch them in action. They would then work as stunt men on the Bruce Lee films, where their unique relationship grew. Biao is under no illusions as to the limitations of the Bruce Lee movies, describing Lee as a "one man show" who dazzled on screen.
Also in The Schooner is a trailer for "The Prodigal Son".
The Clocktower In here you'll find the centrepiece of the special features on this Platinum Edition. Brian White, the perfectionist behind the Hong Kong legends titles, has outdone himself with this 76-minute look behind the film. Bey Logan takes us on a tour of the locations used in the movie, while Jessica Mellor (DVD and video columnist for The Mirror) explores Jackie's incredible appeal. Featured interviews include Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Richard Norton, and Pat Johnson - who worked on Jackie's early US movies.
Pat discusses how Hollywood couldn't accommodate Chan's absolute need for perfection (Jackie did an incredible 348 takes for one scene to get it just right). It's therefore no surprise to learn of Jackie's contempt for Lo Wei, who directed his early films, and who would fall asleep only to wake up hours later to find that Jackie was busy improving Wei's slipshod ideas.
Also to be found in The Clocktower is a 17-minute interview with Michael Lai, the composer of the music in the film, and many Hong Kong classics since then.
The Pirates' Cave Here you'll find two interviews, one with Wing Chun grandmaster Lee Hoi-San, and the other with the villain of the movie, Dick Wei. Hoi-San has worked in the industry for 30 years and talks about how seriously Jackie takes movies. Dick Wei confirms this, but also discusses the difference between Sammo Hung's need for real flesh-smacking combat realism, versus Jackie's insistence on technical expertise that extends to the design of the shot over the need for any bodily contact.
The Tea House Here's a campaign art gallery for you to explore, and the story of the intertwining careers of Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan.
Region: 2
Chapters: 30
Ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Technical Features: Scene selection, animated menus, and multiple languages and subtitles.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.