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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

1) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - TOP

2) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

(aka "Chongqing senlin" or 'Chung King Express' or 'Chungking Express' or 'Chungking Jungle' or 'Hong Kong Express' or 'Zong Qing sen lin')
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/wong.htm
Hong Kong 1994

The whiplash, double-pronged Chungking Express is one of the defining works of nineties cinema and the film that made Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai an instant icon. Two heartsick Hong Kong cops (Takeshi Kaneshiro and Tony Leung), both jilted by ex-lovers, cross paths at the Midnight Express take-out restaurant stand, where the ethereal pixie waitress Faye (Faye Wong) works. Anything goes in Wong’s gloriously shot and utterly unexpected charmer, which cemented the sex appeal of its gorgeous stars and forever turned canned pineapple and the Mamas and the Papas’ “California Dreamin’” into tokens of romantic longing.

Posters

Theatrical Release: August 1994 (Locarno Film Festival) - Switzerland

Reviews             More Reviews         DVD Reviews

Comparison:

Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray vs. Criterion (2021 - 'World of Wong Kar Wai') - Region 'A' Blu-ray

Big Thanks to Paul Whitelock for the region 2 Screen DVD Captures !

1) Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP LEFT

2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP RIGHT

3) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM LEFT

4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - BOTTOM MIDDLE

5) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - BOTTOM RIGHT

 

DVD Box Covers

 

 

 

 

NOTE: this is the actual cover. The cover shown on Amazon.Uk is incorrect!

 

Distribution

Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder

Region 1  - NTSC

Artificial Eye Film Company
Region 2 - PAL
Box Covers

Only sold presently as part of Criterion's Blu-ray package of World of Wong Kar Wai with As Tears Go By / Days of Being Wild / Chungking Express / Fallen Angels / Happy Together / In the Mood for Love / and 2046:

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

Criterion Collection - Spine # 453

Region 1  - NTSC

Criterion (2008) - Spine # 453

Region 'A'  - Blu-ray

Criterion (2021)  - Spine # 453

Region 'A'  - Blu-ray

Distribution

Miramax / Buena Vista -

Region 1  - NTSC

Artificial Eye Film Company
Region 2 - PAL

Criterion Collection - Spine # 453

Region 1  - NTSC

Criterion (2008) Blu-ray

Criterion (2021) Blu-ray

Runtime

1:42:00 1:37:57(4% PAL speedup) 1:42:44 1:42:56.211 1:42:52.708
Video

1.78:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.63 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.78:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.45 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.66:1 Preferred Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.76 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

Feature: 31.39 Gig

Dual-layered  - Blu-ray

MPEG-4 AVC

Disc size: 35,377,471,281 bytes

Average Bitrate: 34.66 Mbp

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 43,716,124,995 bytes

Feature: 31,989,313,536 bytes

Video Bitrate: 35.95 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Miramax

 

Bitrate:

 

AE PAL

 

Bitrate:

 

Criterion

 

Bitrate:

 

Criterion (2008) Blu-ray

 

Bitrate:

 

Criterion (2021) Blu-ray

 

Audio

Chinese (Cantonese) 2.0 Stereo

Chinese (Cantonese) 2.0 Stereo

Chinese (Cantonese) Remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack supervised by director Wong Kar-wai

Chinese (Cantonese) Remastered DTS-HD Master 3654 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3654 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
supervised by director Wong Kar-wai

DTS-HD Master Audio Chinese (Cantonese) 3456 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3456 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles (yellow) English, and none (white) English, and none (off-white) English, and none (off-white) English, and none English, and none
Features Release Information:
Studio: Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Original Hong Kong Trailer
• Quentin Tarantino Introduction
• Quentin Tarantino Wrap

DVD Release Date: May 21, 2002
Keep Case
Chapters: 20

Release Information:
Studio: Artificial Eye Film Co.

Aspect Ratio:

Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:

• filmography for Wong Kar-Wai and Christopher Doyle

DVD Release Date:
June 28th, 2004
Keep Case
Chapters: 12

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion

Aspect Ratio:

Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1

Edition Details:

• Audio commentary by noted Asian cinema critic Tony Rayns

Episode excerpt from the BBC Television series Moving Pictures, featuring Wong and cinematographer Christopher Doyle (12:10)

• U.S. theatrical trailer

• 16-page liner notes booklet featuring a new essay by critic Amy Taubin

DVD Release Date:
November 25th, 2008
Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 12

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion

Feature: 31.39 Gig

Dual-layered  - Blu-ray

MPEG-4 AVC

Disc size: 35,377,471,281 bytes

Average Bitrate: 34.66 Mbps

 

Edition Details:

• Audio commentary by noted Asian cinema critic Tony Rayns

Episode excerpt from the BBC Television series Moving Pictures, featuring Wong and cinematographer Christopher Doyle (12:10 in HD)

• U.S. theatrical trailer (i1:30 HD)

• 16-page liner notes booklet featuring a new essay by critic Amy Taubin

Blu-ray Release Date:
December 16th, 2008
Custom Case
Chapters: 12

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 43,716,124,995 bytes

Feature: 31,989,313,536 bytes

Video Bitrate: 35.95 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Theatrical trailer (2:42)
Deleted Scenes (The Star - 6:15, California Dream'in - 5:57, Baroque - 3:20)
Episode excerpt from the BBC Television series Moving Pictures, featuring Wong and cinematographer Christopher Doyle (12:12)

Interview with Christopher Doyle(10:21)
PLUS: Deluxe packaging, including a perfect-bound, French-fold book featuring lavish photography, an essay by critic John Powers, a director’s note, and six collectible art prints

Blu-ray Release Date: March 23rd, 2021
Custom Blu-ray Case (see below)
Chapters:
17

 

Recommended Reading in Chinese/Hong Kong/Taiwanese Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

Check out more in "The Library"


Criterion (2008) Blu-ray packaging

 

 

Criterion (2021) Blu-ray packaging

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were obtained directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (January 2021): "Chungking Express" is another coveted title in Criterion's upcoming World of Wong Kar Wai Blu-ray set with Criterion's out-of-print 2008 Blu-ray fetching high prices for years. This has a "New 4K digital restoration approved by director Wong Kar Wai".

Wong Kar Wai on his New Restorations: "During the process of restoring the pictures that you are about to watch, we were caught in a dilemma between restoring these films to the form in which the audience had remembered them and how I had originally envisioned them. There was so much that we could change, and I decided to take the second path as it would represent my most vivid vision of these films.

As the saying goes: “no man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”

Since the beginning of this process, these words have reminded me to treat this as an opportunity to present these restorations as a new work from a different vantage point in my career.

Having arrived at the end of this process, these words still hold true.

I invite the audience to join me on starting afresh, as these are not the same films, and we are no longer the same audience.
"

The new 4K restoration on Blu-ray shows a darker image with significantly richer, deeper, colors. Like In the Mood For Love, there are some framing differences from previous Criterion Blu-ray appearing to have shifted slightly to the right (still 1.66:1).

NOTE: We have added 54 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

The audio is still lossless 5.1 surround but more robust than the 2012 Blu-ray edition and Wong Kar Wai says "Chungking Express was made before 5.1 surround sound, so we had to retool the settings and sound configurations this time." I didn't notice strong differences - still robustly transferred and sounds great. The score is credited to Frankie Chan, Michael Galasso and Roel A. García but the recognizable 'theme" is The Mamas and the Papas' California Dreamin' frequently played by Faye Wong at the food-stand. It sounds very clean and consistent contrasting the kinetic camera. Criterion add optional English subtitles (see samples below) on their Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Extras - sadly we lose the Tony Ryans commentary - so keep that old edition! Repeated from the 2008 Blu-ray are the 12-minute episode excerpt from the BBC Television series Moving Pictures, featuring Wong and cinematographer Christopher Doyle plus there is a theatrical trailer (although a longer 4K restoration one). New are three deleted scenes - The Star, California Dream'in and Baroque - running about 1/4 hour in total. Plus there is a 10-minute interview with Christopher Doyle filmed in 2020 reflecting on shooting the film and working with the director. The deluxe packaging, including a perfect-bound, French-fold book featuring lavish photography, an essay by critic John Powers, a director’s note, and six collectible art prints.

Wong Kar-wai's roller coaster ride of life's pivotal moments colliding through romance, emotion, fateful meetings and memories is unforgettable cinema. We will review/compare the entire World of Wong Kar Wai set of films and I was very pleased to see Chungking Express in this new 4K restoration with intense colors and a darker overall feel. Perhaps gauging time with expiry dates on tinned pineapple to combat longing is not so crazy. He Zhiwu waxes philosophic - prompting the tagline: "If my memory of her has an expiration date, let it be 10,000 years...". We absolutely recommend!           

***

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray - December 08': So, this is our first Criterion Blu-ray offering. Hmmm... the technical stats tell us all we really need to know. Where the Criterion SD-DVD was transferring an average of 7.76 megabits per second - this new Blu-ray delivers 34.66. I think the image it looks about as good as it can on this new format. The Blu-ray disc is dual-layered - the feature takes up over 30 GIg. The film itself has some sporadic, kinetic camera movement that doesn't lend itself well for demo'ing the detail of 1080P but the grain is so beautiful to see and the colors are tighter with more depth and life to them. This, expectantly supports the 1.66 aspect ratio and the color palette of the Criterion DVD

The audio gets a bump too -  it's a DTS-HD Master and sounds just that much crisper with a tinge more range. I wouldn't say it's a dramatic audible improvement for most individual's ears but I can vouch for it being superior.  The music is a big part of this film experience and it sounds so much more compelling in this HD format. Still only English subtitles are available. 

Some observations - the new package has the same spine # as the DVD (#453) and I don't know if I'm keen on the packaging (see image below.) It's probably more environmentally friendly but perhaps a little flimsier. I'm fine with it.

The extras are the same as the DVD (discussed below) - same excellent commentary but the duplicate featurette and trailer are in HD.

So, why go Blu? Better transfer (audio + video), supplements in HD and how about this one - it's $8 cheaper. You want the best looking digital representation of this charming, emotionally playful, uniquely defining film? Well, this Criterion Blu-ray is it. Absolutely recommended!

NOTE: For those region 'B'-locked Artificial Eye is coming out with Chungking Express on Blu-ray January 26th, 2008 HERE. We will probably compare.    

 - Gary W. Tooze

***

ADDITION: Criterion - November 08': I'm afraid I just can't speak very much on the colors of these releases. I've looked till I'm dizzy but still feel the Miramax is inaccurate although all three can be very different at times. The Criterion has a green tinge that, according to past examples from cinematographer Chris Doyle, may very well be intentional. The Criterion doesn't quite look as sharp as the other two but I am very interested to see the upcoming Blu-ray which we will undoubtedly add to this comparison. In many scenes the Criterion looks darker but then in others a bit brighter - so it doesn't compare consistently. Anyway, one of the big issues is the aspect ratio and Criterion have transferred anamorphically (and progressively on a dual-layered disc)  in the director’s requested aspect ratio of 1.66:1. I did some toggling back and forth with the Artificial Eye and I do prefer the Criterion look despite it appearing slightly less detailed. It looks to be the only one of the three not suffering from manipulations.

For the audio Criterion have used a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack supervised by director Wong Kar-wai. The music, a huge part of the film, sounds wonderful and although there is no demonstrative separations - this new track mix is a decent one  - far more effectual than the standard stereo 2.0 of the other two releases. Criterion, as usual offers optional English subtitles (that can be fairly different at times from the other 2 translations - see sample below) described as a 'New and improved English subtitle translation' on the Criterion box and website.

Extras include many cineaste's favorite commentarist, Asian cinema critic, Tony Rayns. He continues to export his vast knowledge through articulate observations of the film and production. He is the best - a fabulous professional choice. It is a commentary that I will give a repeat spin. Criterion include a 12 minute episode excerpt from a 1996 BBC Television series Moving Pictures, featuring both Wong and cinematographer Christopher Doyle who discuss their work and aesthetics. There is also a trailer and 16-page booklet of liner notes with photos and a a new essay by critic Amy Taubin.     

I really love this film and am anxious to watch the Blu-ray. I'm pleased to state, though, that this SD-DVD is, in my opinion, a strong replacement for the initial two SD-DVDs - gaining superiority in every significant area.   

 - Gary W. Tooze

****

ON THE AE vs. the MIRAMAX: The Region 1 DVD is washed out making the colors really vary and appear untrue. On the other hand the Artificial Eye DVD has some saturation, but I think it is more accurate and definitely sharper. The Region 1 is cropped on all 4 edges. The audio sounds a bit cleaner on the AE and it seems to me that the subtitles might be a bit better as well though oddly they subtitle the dialog that is spoken in English. The only negative for the AE is that it contains virtually no extras (just a short filmography for Wong Kar-Wai and Christopher Doyle). There are other versions available, but the AE is the best I have seen yet in image.

 - Gary W. Tooze

 


DVD Menus

(Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)


 

Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC Menus

 

 

Criterion (2021) Blu-ray

 


 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

1) Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


More Blu-ray captures

 

1) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - TOP

2) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) 2021 Criterion Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE


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DVD Box Covers

 

 

 

 

NOTE: this is the actual cover. The cover shown on Amazon.Uk is incorrect!

 

Distribution

Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder

Region 1  - NTSC

Artificial Eye Film Company
Region 2 - PAL
Box Covers

Only sold presently as part of Criterion's Blu-ray package of World of Wong Kar Wai with As Tears Go By / Days of Being Wild / Chungking Express / Fallen Angels / Happy Together / In the Mood for Love / and 2046:

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

Criterion Collection - Spine # 453

Region 1  - NTSC

Criterion (2008) - Spine # 453

Region 'A'  - Blu-ray

Criterion (2021)  - Spine # 453

Region 'A'  - Blu-ray

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary Tooze

Mississauga, Ontario,

   CANADA