I would
definitely recommend this DVD. Even if you aren't sure about getting this,
pick it up. The visuals are amazing and I don't think you will find a better
version anywhere else. The import is a different transfer that isn't as
good so it's not worth getting when you can get this version.
If you
are new to Hong Kong movies, BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR is probably one of the
movies that everybody will recommend that you see. The movie is visually
stunning and has a great story. The story revolves around two characters,
played by Bridget Lin and Leslie Cheung. Leslie Cheung is destined to someday
lead his clan, his skills at fighting are incredible. Since a young child
he is trained in sword fighting and Kung Fu. While trying to save a lamb
from slaughter, he is cornered by wolves. When it appears that these wolves
will surely devour him, a song is heard, played by a little girl on a flute.
The wolves retreat. When he becomes an adult, he continues his good deeds.
The girl, Wolf Girl, becomes an efficient killing machine who fights for
the cult that adopted her as a child. The cult is headed by a man and woman
who are outcasts of the clan. They are joined together by being seared with
fire and then stuck together, back to back.
The
movie is a love story with heavy doses of action. The action is brutal at
times. When Wolf Girl is told that she will be cut in several pieces by
a soldier, she immediately uses her whip to cut him up in several pieces.
This movie will please most action fans who like a bit of fantasy with their
Kung Fu.
When
The Bride With White Hair was released by Tai Seng, it was really just a
tease. Along with Heroic Trio, both looked beautiful. It looked like the
future was going to be bright for Hong Kong DVD's. Unfortunately, instead
of giving movies the star treatment that this one did, DVD's are just imported
and we are left with whatever we can get.
Bride With
White Hair is a fantastic movie. It is beautifully filmed and the DVD really
brings out the rich blues that seem to permeate every scene. Very minor
imperfections are evident but that would be from the film source. This is
probably the best the picture has ever been.
The sound
is also very well done in Dolby Surround. The mixing is good, the music
and sound effects never drown out the dialogue.
The subtitles are easy to read. Some say too easy because they are a little
larger than usual subtitles. This didn't distract me from the movie. They
are well done syntax wise and there aren't any spelling errors.
The
extras are very interesting. Ronny Yu's commentary is pretty sparse but
informative when he is talking. Sometimes I felt like he was talking about
other scenes rather than the ones shown at the time. Sometimes I forgot
the commentary was and then I would here Ronny Yu's voice.
The "Making of " featurette was mostly clips of the movie with
very short interviews. There were some behind-the-scenes footage which was
cool to see.
