Henrik Sylow
Image:
6/7
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
The first number indicates a relative level of excellence
compared to other Blu-ray video discs on a ten-point scale.
The second number places this image along the full range of
DVD and Blu-ray discs.
Soft and weakly resolved, Panorama's AVC transfer to 1080p
isn't going secure a place on anyone's demo shelf. In fact,
it is unlike any other Johnnie To movie I know in terms of
elegance of image. On the contrary, Cheng Siu Keung's
photography often seems to go out of its way to achieve a
naturalistic, unstylized look where there is precious little
fill lit on backlit subjects or hardly any side lighting
that might reduce flatness. That said, there are many
dramatically lit scenes with striking bolts of light across
huge swathes of shadow, at times narrow, at other times only
enough to highlight the center of the action. There is some
detail in those shadows, but don't expect much, since the
overall softness washes much of it away. The transfer itself
is unproblematic (assuming that it realizes the intentions
of the negative), with few distracting problems aside from a
few specks now and again.
Comparison to Optimum's Region 2 DVD is interesting, but
it's hard to know what to make of it. The Optimum has an
aspect ratio of 2.34:1; the Panorama, 2.39:1, yet the
Blu-ray shows less of the frame in every direction,
especially the sides. The Optimum is snappier, with brighter
color and stronger light and dark values; the Panorama,
though sharper, seems compressed and washed out by
comparison. We can speculate that the Optimum is
artificially enhanced. Don't know.
CLICK EACH
BLU-RAY
CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Panorama - Region FREE Blu-ray
TOP vs. Optimum - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM
Panorama - Region FREE Blu-ray
TOP vs. Optimum - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM
Panorama - Region FREE Blu-ray
TOP vs. Optimum - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM
Panorama - Region FREE Blu-ray
TOP vs. Optimum - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM
Panorama - Region FREE Blu-ray
TOP vs. Optimum - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM
More
Blu-ray
captures
Audio & Music:
8/8
Unusual for a Hong Kong gangster flic, there is nary a shot
fired. Audio effects are subtle, providing a sense of space
rather than locational cues. The star of the mix, and what
grabs our attention form the outset, is Lo Ta Yu's exotic
music score: repetitively percussive and subtle by turns,
often for guitar solo. Dialogue is crisp and properly sized
and placed.
Operations:
6
No complaints aside from the totally unnecessary clattering
flippage. The Bonus Features, most having English subtitles,
are all passed over to the DVD disc, leaving the feature
film complete on a single layer disc.
Extras:
4
There is no feature commentary, but there is a substantial
half-hour interview with Johnnie To, who tells us that he
makes movies not just for the Asian market, but for the rest
of the world as well. I agree. There are shorter subtitled
interviews with Tony Leung Ka Fai (Big D), Wong Tin Lam
(Uncle Teng Wai) and Simon Yam (Lok). These four interviews
are the best features – the look good, too, in 4:3 standard
definition. The Making-of piece is far too short and feels
too much like an extended trailer. The Cannes Photo Book is
brief and weakly resolved.
DVD Menus
Bottom line:
7
Election is not your usual Johnnie To. Fans may be
disappointed in its general lack of action, though when that
happens it bursts forth with considerable energy, like an
uncoiled spring, adding to the general suspense of the
proceedings. Thoughtful and smart, I only wish the Blu-ray
image had more zip.
Leonard Norwitz
March 26th, 2010