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ADDITION: Criterion Region 'A' - Blu-ray - March 2017: This is from a "New 4K digital restoration" and makes the old SD transfer look sick by comparison. The contrast (brighter whites, deeper blacks), richer colors and overall darker look make this a revelation after the interlaced, faded, dull DVDs of over a decade ago. Gone are the haze and digital artifacts and we get a dynamically attractive and impressive Blu-ray image. It has exceed my expectations - there is plenty of depth, skin tones warm, fine grain - it's fabulous.

Criterion use an authentic liner PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Japanese. There are comedic effects but most of the audio-joy comes from It's a lively, fun, score from Kunihiko Murai - known for his work on Zatoichi and Lone Wolf and Cub films. It has a very western-theme to the music - lots of ragtime-like piano - it's boisterous and toe-tapping-ly crisp in the uncompressed transfer. There are optional English subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is region 'A'-locked.

Criterion add a massive amount of extras. The Making of “Tampopo” is a ninety-minute documentary from 1986, narrated by director Juzo Itami with behind the scenes footage shot during the production. There is a new interview with actor Nobuko Miyamoto where she talks about playing the title role, working with, her husband, Juzo Itami. It runs over 11-minutes and was recorded by Criterion in 2016. There is also a new interview with food stylist Seiko Ogawa who talks about details of her work on Tampopo for 16-minutes. We get new interviews with ramen scholar Hiroshi Oosaki and chefs Sam White, Rayneil De Guzman, Jerry Jaksich for 22-minutes - it is entitled The Perfect Bowl. Rubber Band Pistol (Gomudeppou) is Itami’s 1962 debut short film running over 1/2 an hour. I enjoyed the new 10-minute video essay by filmmakers Tony Zhou and Taylor Ramos on the film’s themes of self-improvement and mastery of a craft entitled The Amateur and the Craftsperson. Lastly included is a, new, restoration, trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by food and culture writer Willy Blackmore.

Absolutely, the most loveable, foodie, film I've ever seen. It's so watchable and something you can throw on anytime. Criterion's Blu-ray is at their lofty standards and fans will greatly appreciate the 4K restored video, uncompressed audio and many extras. What a treat! Our highest recommendation!

***

ON THE DVD: This is one of those unfortunate circumstances where the screen captures, with one resized and the other native resolution, don't really do justice to the superior release. The Fox Lorber has a lot of deficiencies; non-anamorphic and non-progressive, it has boosted contrast, has frame shifting combing, artifacts, edge enhancements, cropped on the side edges and is completely weak next to the Geneon edition.

The Japanese release looks better if faded and dull, where the Fox/Lorber... looks like a Fox/Lorber DVD. If you are a fan of this film we suggest buying the Geneon, but if the Fox/Lorber is at a garage sale for $5 - well, that's about what it's worth. It does have removable subtitles and is moderately acceptable on a small tube. The Geneon is obviously much closer to Tampopo's theatrical presentation if still appearing somewhat sub-standard. 

 - Gary Tooze