It came from nowhere. There tends to be vapour trails for upcoming physical media releases, talks of remasters or rare prints given 4K restorations. For Arrow’s ‘Jackie Chan’s Breakout Hits!’ collection, the only warning was its sudden appearance on my timeline. And as soon as I saw it and read the wonders that were promised within, I parted with the best part of £150 without a second thought. For a parsimonious chap like me, that says something. If you are aware of Jackie Chan’s breakout hits, their history, the issue with rights and the chopped-up international cuts that completely overshadowed the full versions, you will know that this box set was something that most fans wouldn’t have dared dream of. Many of us were trying to find fan-made original versions, work prints and bootlegs to remind ourselves of the films we saw on dank second- and third-generation VHS copies back in the day. To now have them in 4K is something to behold.
I’m pleased to say that, having recently received the box set ahead of time, I can confirm that this is everything you could have hoped for. And so much more. Quite simply, this is an extraordinary collection; it’s certainly not cheap, but what you get for your hard-earned cash is almost too good to be true. It’s also a great chance to revisit some wonderful films from Jackie Chan’s heyday.
DRUNKEN MASTER II – If you haven’t seen ‘Drunken Master II’, do so immediately. Or watch some of the many reaction videos on YouTube of people responding to watching the finale for the first time. A spectacle that is pretty much unmatched, ‘Drunken Master II’ features a finale that has to be seen to be believed. The 4K print is superb, with deep black levels and excellent contrast. The film grain is very evident, something not everyone will appreciate, but I can’t imagine this ever looking better than this. There are two discs, one with the international cut, one with the HK cut – the difference is minor, but fans will rejoice at finally seeing the full version restored in razor-sharp definition.
THUNDERBOLT – If ever a film was stuck in the limbo of film rights, it was ‘Thunderbolt’. I remember paying for a Spanish DVD of this film many years ago as it was the only one available, and things didn’t get better thereafter. Even though it was shown on TV here in the UK, it rarely appeared on physical media. ‘Thunderbolt’ is a fine action film with some decent racing sequences woven in – not exactly the car chase in ‘Ronin’ but definitely not to be sniffed at. The fight scenes are excellent, especially the fight in a Pachinko parlour that I remember being quite controversial on release; Sammo Hung debuted a flashier filming style for the action and while it had its detractors, it proved well ahead of its time.
MR. NICE GUY – It might be the weakest film in the set, but it’s enormous fun and the construction site fight scene is unforgettable – if you needed confirmation of Chan’s genius, this would do the trick. The print looks gorgeous and the HDR makes the bright Australian landscapes shine beautifully. Colours pop, detail is king. Once again, two cuts are available with the international one cutting out some of the filler scenes that Chan fans will definitely want to see again.
RUMBLE IN THE BRONX – THE Jackie Chan breakout film. I watched the full print on VHS and wondered if it would break the US market, especially after a concerted push by distributors (and an MTV Lifetime Achievement Award). It did. Yes, it’s clearly not the Bronx though to the likes of me it’s not glaringly obvious. A rougher, grittier film than some of Chan’s earlier work, but it translated well and it still holds up very well. Once again, the print is superb, especially the night-time scenes which are stunning. The HK cut adds a few nice character scenes that make the overall story more effective and it’s remarkable seeing it again outside of rejigged fan cuts that have floated around online.*
WHO AM I? – My first ever DVD! I remember seeing this for the first time on my old CRT monitor, 480p in all of its glory (it was a US disc) and I couldn’t believe how good the quality was. How could media ever get better than this? Nearly thirty years later and I am watching a divine 4K print of this excellent action thriller and I can barely believe my eyes. I have, occasionally, been underwhelmed by 4K Blu-rays, not noticing a big upgrade on the 1080p version I previously had. ‘Who Am I?’ is a reminder of how good the format can be with exceptional detail during the Namibia scenes and sharp greys and blues in the cityscape of Rotterdam. The HK cut gives more incidental scenes that do add to the character development, especially during Jackie Chan’s stay in Africa.
FIRST STRIKE – Probably the most butchered Jackie Chan film and the most eagerly anticipated for this restored version (the international version is also included). I watched this on VHS when it came out and was shocked by the amount that was missing when I caught up with the international cut. The international cut feels very rushed and of course it is, so the full version is like a cold glass of water on a hot day (I type this on the hottest day of the year so my mind is wandering). Again, the HDR makes the colours pop while investing the snowy scenes at the beginning with texture and brilliance. The colours really become evident in the Australian scenes that make up the second half of the film.
*Can I take a moment to say how much I and many others have appreciated the remarkable work of a community of fans who have kept these films alive? While the original cuts were often airbrushed out of history, fans were splicing things together, retrieving work prints and demanding the most complete versions. Unpaid and often unrecognised, fans with the skill to rebuild what many thought was lost is extraordinary. This box set might not have existed if fans hadn’t demanded more than the international cuts we were served up. And that is another reason I enjoy supporting these releases while also recognising the great work of unheralded individuals and teams of aficionados. Bravo to you all.
The prints themselves are extraordinary – I cannot sing their praises enough. Add to that some excellent audio options and, for the films alone, you have a package that is astonishing. And there are plenty of extras on top too, with copious amounts of trailers, making-of shorts and interviews. Then there’s a wonderful 160-page booklet that is full of great articles and high-quality, thoughtful writing, a fitting companion to the wonderful work that has been done on the discs. The set is completed with some high-quality postcards and posters – the cherries on top of this first-class collection. After treating us with the sublime Shawscope sets, I am delighted to say that Arrow have pulled out all of the stops with this once-in-a-lifetime collection. Essential.
