On their Blu-ray, Criterion also includes a new 2020 video entitled 'Artist to Artist: 10 Questions for Wong Kar Wai'. For this 2020 program, Wong Kar Wai invited several artists to participate in a Q&A with him. Each submitted one on-camera question to the director, who filmed his responses in Shanghai during breaks on the set of his new project. These include Sofia Coppola, Bradford Young, Chloe Zhao, Rian Johnson and Phillippe Le Sourd. There is also a 7-minute 2002 interview where Christopher Doyle discusses the cinematography of Fallen Angels. Lastly, are three deleted scenes - Only You - 8:08, Whom You Miss - 4:05, and A Beautiful Evening - 4:01. The Criterion also has a 'new' trailer and the World of Wong Kar Wai Boxset has deluxe packaging (see below), 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 Fallen Angels is another deep film that can exist on it's 'script idea' and cinematographic energy. It exports themes such as alienation and loss of personal connection. It's a masterpiece that gets better upon re-visitation and I loved the widescreen shift here - adding another layer to my viewing experience. There really is no modern filmmaker like him. I might see distant links to Altman or later Fellini where human energy, in its many forms, drive the narrative. A fascinating film and another essential addition to the World of Wong Kar Wai Boxset.

 - Gary Tooze

***

ADDITION - Artificial Eye - Region 'B' - Blu-ray  July 2012:   Not too much to say here, The Artificial Eye Blu-ray looks to be on par with the Kino for a/v. I couldn't spot any significant, or minor, differences in the image. The technical stats bear this out with a negligibly different bitrate and feature file size. AE offers a stereo linear PCM option to go along with the DTS-Master 5.1. Both have English subtitles with a slightly different translation on the UK disc. I'll go wit the AE for the supplements as they have a much longer Chris Doyle interview.

Both packages offers solid value for an extremely cool film. Recommended! 

***

ADDITION - Kino - Region FREE - Blu-ray  March 2010:  Keeping things short and sweet - this Blu-ray is a big improvement - more than the screen captures will bear out. After suffering through so many lame editions, Fallen Angels finally looks like film instead of video - lost of grain and wonderfully supportive of the frequently askew camera techniques (distortions and black and white scenes). There is some depth here. This isn't 1.78 but closer to 1.85 (if not reaching it), more information in the frame, tighter, and better, color balance etc. etc.

Before I forget - I LOVE the menus too.

Audio, too, is notable with a lossless DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 2041 kbps. This can be an important part of the presentation in my opinion. I love the soundtrack interlude touches and subtle separations. Maybe not as a dramatic upgrade as the video - but not far off either. There are optional subtitles (better font) and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Extras are the same as the Kino remastered DVD (they've added 16 sills in a gallery) but they are now in HD. It's about $6 cheaper than the Kino SE (that had combing!) and a great investment for fans of the director - this film is now 15 years old! I REALLY enjoyed my viewing (ala Days of Being Wild in 1080). This film seems made for such a strong visual and aural presentation. I hope Kino, or whoever, bring ALL of Wong Kar-wai's films to Blu-ray.

 - Gary Tooze

- Gregory Meshman

ADDITION - Kino (Dec -04) -There is no use in comparing the Kino with the Daum and Ocean Shores. The disc is inferior compared to the Áccent for having boosted contrast and beefed up colour. Even though these are minor changes, I do feel they change the overall feel of the film. My major gripe with the Kino disc, is the softness. It did reduce the grain, but also some of the detail as you will see in capture 5. More is lost due to the slight contrast boosting, which makes several faces and items disappear into the darkness. The b&w scenes also have this light brownish hue, instead of the pure grey shown on the Áccent. Therefore, I’m recommending the Áccent – which is the one that got to stay in my collection. Oh, and the Kino image also suffers from ghosting.

 - Gary Tooze

NOTE: The Accent DVD has replaced Takeshi Kaneshiro's Cantonese voiceover with what I can only assume is the Mandarin DUB used for mainland release....why accent was sent an audio track with everyone speaking Cantonese except his character is a mystery. (Thanks Edward)