Firstly, a massive thank you to our Patreon supporters. These supporters have become the single biggest contributing factor to the survival of DVDBeaver. Your assistance is essential to our survival.
What do Patrons receive, that you don't?
1)
Our
weekly
Newsletter
and
Calendar Updates
sent to your Inbox!
Please consider keeping us in existence with a couple of dollars or more each month (your pocket change! / a coffee!) so we can continue to do our best in giving you timely, thorough reviews, calendar updates and detailed comparisons. I am indebted to your generosity. |
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
1) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - TOP2 ) 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')
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 LEFT2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP RIGHT3 ) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM LEFT4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - BOTTOM MIDDLE5) 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 |
![]() |
![]() Coming to 4K UHD by Criterion in April 2025 in the US and UK: |
![]() 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 |
1.78:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced |
1.66:1 Preferred Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
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-rayDisc Size: 43,716,124,995 bytesFeature: 31,989,313,536 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.95 MbpsCodec: 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) |
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:
Edition Details: |
Release Information:
Edition Details:
• filmography for Wong Kar-Wai and
Christopher Doyle |
Release Information:
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 |
Release Information: Feature: 31.39 Gig Dual-layered - Blu-rayMPEG-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 |
Release Information: 1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 43,716,124,995 bytesFeature: 31,989,313,536 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.95 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
•
Theatrical trailer (2:42)
•
Interview with
Christopher Doyle(10:21) |
Recommended Reading in Chinese/Hong Kong/Taiwanese Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
![]() |
|||||||
Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy
by Zhen Ni, Chris Berry, Ni Zhen |
Zhang Yimou: Interviews (Conversations With
Filmmakers) by Frances Gateward |
Chinese Films in Focus: 25 New Takes by Chris Berry |
Wong Kar-Wai: Auteur of Time (Bfi World Directors) by Stephen Teo |
China into Film: Frames of Reference in Contemporary
Chinese Cinema (Envisioning Asia) by Jerome Silbergeld |
New Chinese Cinemas
by Nick Browne |
Once Upon a Time in China : A Guide to Hong Kong,
Taiwanese, and Mainland Chinese Cinema by Jeff Yang |
Chinese Film Theory by George S. Semsel |
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.”
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. *** 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. *** 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. **** 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. |
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 - TOP2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND 3 ) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - FOURTH5) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
1) Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND 3 ) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - FOURTH5) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
1) Miramax / Buena Vista - Rolling Thunder - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP2) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND 3 ) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD4) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - FOURTH5) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
More Blu-ray captures
1) Criterion (2008) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - TOP2 ) Criterion (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
![]() |
![]() |
More full resolution (1920 X 1080) 2021 Criterion Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
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 |
![]() |
![]() Coming to 4K UHD by Criterion in April 2025 in the US and UK: |
![]() 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 |