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

ADDITION: 88 Films Blu-ray (November 2023): 88 Films have transferred Kai-Ming Lai's The Blue Jean Monster  to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand New 2K Restoration in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio from the original negatives". The 1080P image quality is reasonably strong - not always consistent but I suspect that was more of a production issue. There is frequent grain and depth plus the transfer is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The effects are not top shelf but they are carried pleasantly throughout the film.

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

On their Blu-ray, 88 Films use a linear PCM dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original Cantonese language. The Blue Jean Monster has a barrage of gunfire and effects dealing with 'the monster' including lightening bolts, sprawling electrify and, of course, the unnaturally green-eyed protagonist. The score was by Alan Tsui - his last film composer work of 8 Hong Kong films. It's a lively action film and the score is indicative of an intense crime drama. The lossless transfer exports the film's audio in authentically flat manner but there is a lot of loud bass. 88 Films offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The 88 Films Blu-ray has supplements - including a 20-minute interview with assistant director Sam Leong entitled Man Made Monster. He answers question from Arnold Lanuque about how he entered the Hong Kong film industry, about Producer Chua Lam and his importance with Golden Harvest - and what he learned from him plus much more although, essentially, nothing on The Blue Jean Monster. Thee is also a Hong Kong trailer and stills gallery. The package offers a reversible cover with new artwork by James Neal and original HK Poster Art, a double walled O-Ring featuring new artwork and a double-sided foldout poster featuring new and classic poster art.

Kai-Ming Lai's The Blue Jean Monster is in the latter part of a trend to supernatural Hong Kong 70's - 90's films like The Mr. Vampire series, The Oily Maniac, Bewitched, Black Magic, Black Magic 2, The Bride From Hell, The Enchanting Ghost, The Ghost Lovers, HEX, The Seeding of a Ghost, Magic Cop etc.. The Blue Jean Monster is listed as a 'Hong Kong Category III film' - for 18-years of age and older - but there is some visible blood injuries and cold-blooded murder early in the film but no nudity. Like many of this genre there is always a humorous edge keeping much of the film light - occasionally silly. I have come to appreciate this genre - they are not great films but never seem to take themselves too seriously. You can enjoy this one for the crime element, the supernatural or the cute demonstrative characters. The 88 Films Blu-ray has done an admirable job of this less-discussed film - probably better than The Blue Jean Monster will ever get on digital. To each his own.

Gary Tooze