Vengeance
What?
A French Assassin turned Chef discovers his daughter’s husband and children have been killed and her left for dead after a mob attack at their home. With no clue to the killers’ identities, he offers all he owns to three local hitmen in exchange for vengeance exacted. In addition to his request he reveals his memory is fading by the day after a bullet wound taken in his previous career, forcing the trio to care for his welfare while doing the job they’ve been paid to do. As the trail leads them to Hong Kong things become complicated as new information threatens to jeopardise the mission and leave them all dead before revenge is witnessed.
Optics:
Shot and completed using Digital Intermediate (2K) (master format) the finished article is satisfactory if not marred by excessive noise, with night scenes hampering the image. Saturation is bold and punchy, showcasing the fluorescent chaos of downtown Hong Kong while producing vibrant daytime shots. Skin detail is typically sharp and blacks distinctive enough to warrant a HD format, but not strong enough to occupy a high-end transfer slot.
Sonics:
The DTS-HD audio punches well at its weight, particularly during the numerous running handgun battles, and with tightly controlled LFE and easily audible dialogue, the Blu-ray package brings together a comprehensive and worthy AV presentation that should please fans of the film.
Extras:
With a very brief featurette and theatrical trailer, this isn’t a release for those seeking extensive background knowledge or detailed insights.
Well?
I have to confess I have no idea who Johnnie Ho is, and this is the first film of his I’ve seen, but sadly I found it too self-important to the point of annoyance, with many scenes played out in silence while relying on facial gestures to convey the message. The theme also borrows from Christopher Nolan’s Memento which is not the best way to win new admirers, and having opted for red powder as blood the shootouts look daft and unconvincing, regardless of how slow the motion is captured. If you like the film and Ho’s visual style then you’ll probably be satisfied with the Blu-ray quality, but for the uninitiated I can only suggest spending your rental money on a more familiar title.
Neil Egan-Ronayne
A French Assassin turned Chef discovers his daughter’s husband and children have been killed and her left for dead after a mob attack at their home. With no clue to the killers’ identities, he offers all he owns to three local hitmen in exchange for vengeance exacted. In addition to his request he reveals his memory is fading by the day after a bullet wound taken in his previous career, forcing the trio to care for his welfare while doing the job they’ve been paid to do. As the trail leads them to Hong Kong things become complicated as new information threatens to jeopardise the mission and leave them all dead before revenge is witnessed.
Optics:
Shot and completed using Digital Intermediate (2K) (master format) the finished article is satisfactory if not marred by excessive noise, with night scenes hampering the image. Saturation is bold and punchy, showcasing the fluorescent chaos of downtown Hong Kong while producing vibrant daytime shots. Skin detail is typically sharp and blacks distinctive enough to warrant a HD format, but not strong enough to occupy a high-end transfer slot.
Sonics:
The DTS-HD audio punches well at its weight, particularly during the numerous running handgun battles, and with tightly controlled LFE and easily audible dialogue, the Blu-ray package brings together a comprehensive and worthy AV presentation that should please fans of the film.
Extras:
With a very brief featurette and theatrical trailer, this isn’t a release for those seeking extensive background knowledge or detailed insights.
Well?
I have to confess I have no idea who Johnnie Ho is, and this is the first film of his I’ve seen, but sadly I found it too self-important to the point of annoyance, with many scenes played out in silence while relying on facial gestures to convey the message. The theme also borrows from Christopher Nolan’s Memento which is not the best way to win new admirers, and having opted for red powder as blood the shootouts look daft and unconvincing, regardless of how slow the motion is captured. If you like the film and Ho’s visual style then you’ll probably be satisfied with the Blu-ray quality, but for the uninitiated I can only suggest spending your rental money on a more familiar title.
Neil Egan-Ronayne
Director:
Johnnie To
Starring:
Johnny Hallyday
Sylvie Testud
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang
Ka Tung Lam
Suet Lam
Simon Yam
Best line:
"Chef my ass."
Tagline:
"There Is No Other Law."
Description:
Optimum Home Entertainment
UK
Region B
Rated 15
1hr 48mins
2.35:1
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
'The Making of Vengeance'
Theatrical trailer
Ratings: (Out of 10)
Film 4.0
Optics 8.0
Sonics 8.0
Extras 2.0
Overall 5.0
