'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' - High-Def Digest Review

[Attebery]

Josh has reviewed the long awaited Blu-ray release of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.' He says it's a great movie, and this Blu-ray does it justice with excellent video and audio. Unfortunately, Sony has made a strange decision by only making this title available in a box set with two previously released titles. Check out his full review to find out if you should buy this one or what your other options might be.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/532/...dendragon.html

[Cochise]

The English translation is noticeably different than and inferior to that used on the Superbit DVD (which was in turn carried over from the theatrical release). The new subtitles may be coherent, but overuse slang and contractions that feel very inappropriate to the formal settings and types of conversation in the movie. Considering that the film was originally written in English by screenwriter James Schamus, and that he and director Ang Lee approved the theatrical subtitles and presumably know how they wanted the dialogue to come across, I have a hard time understanding why Sony commissioned another translation at all. The subtitles aren't so bad as to make the movie unwatchable, but needlessly lose much of the poetry in the dialogue.

I have the Steelbook on the way from the UK. Disappointing about the subtitles, but otherwise sounds like an excellent addition to the collection.

[Demolition Man]

Wow... looks like I might have to suffice with the SuperBit DVD for now. Bundling it with two other movies isn't bad right now since that bundle is $39 on Amazon. The subtitles however is the deal breaker for me. Sorry but there is no excuse as to why Sony needed to have a new translation done let alone one that sounds like it ruins the film.

[Emoney7]

Great review Josh.
This has been one of my favorites for years and one of my most anticipated. It really really bugs me how this movie is being distributed. Sony is oe my shitlist.

Hopefully they will realize the disservice soon and release it individually.

[JAWoOKIE]

Very nice review. I am having a hard time not just giving in and buying the set. I have been awaiting this release since the original announcement. I will try and remain strong.

[Ace_of_Sevens]

Subtitles are a deal-breaker, if the packing it with one crappy Blu-ray and one I already own weren't already.

[shaolinpunks]

I just got the uk steelbook in the mail today.
About 20 mins into the film (during the jumping accross rooftops scene) it seems blurry.

Is there there anything like PAL speed up on Blu-rays?

edit:
So the internet tells me there is no PAL speed up on Blu-ray.
The action just seems off to me. I have quite a few kung fu action films and haven't noticed this before.
I'm a bit disappointed. I haven't seen it in years so maybe I just remember it looking better....

[Nut Bunnies]

It's also worth mentioning (and it probably isn't noticeable without a direct comparison) that the Blu-Ray is a little cropped and has contrast turned up. Whites looked really blown out in comparisons I've seen.

[typ44q]

I have been waiting for this for a while, guess I will wait a little longer till I can get it solo.
Sucks to hear about the suttitles

[D_Strasse]

" The subtitles aren't so bad as to make the movie unwatchable, but needlessly lose much of the poetry in the dialogue."

This is a dealbreaker for me as well. I very much enjoed this movie with subtitles and always loved that "poetry of the dialogue". I already felt that much of the movies luster was lost with the english dubbing so that is a no go option as well.

A shame really as Sony had the wherewithall ot include the Mandarin version in True HD.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by shaolinpunks

I just got the uk steelbook in the mail today.
About 20 mins into the film (during the jumping accross rooftops scene) it seems blurry.

Is there there anything like PAL speed up on Blu-rays?

edit:
So the internet tells me there is no PAL speed up on Blu-ray.
The action just seems off to me. I have quite a few kung fu action films and haven't noticed this before.
I'm a bit disappointed. I haven't seen it in years so maybe I just remember it looking better....

If your TV is a 120 Hz model and has a feature called "TruMotion", "PureMotion", "MotionFlow", "Auto Motion Plus", or anything similar, turn it off.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Nut Bunnies

It's also worth mentioning (and it probably isn't noticeable without a direct comparison) that the Blu-Ray is a little cropped and has contrast turned up. Whites looked really blown out in comparisons I've seen.

If there's any cropping, it's not noticeable during playback. I mentioned the contrast tweaking in the review. This is most evident in some crushed blacks. I didn't see any problem with blown out whites, however.

[crazzeto]

Originally Posted by Cochise

I have the Steelbook on the way from the UK. Disappointing about the subtitles, but otherwise sounds like an excellent addition to the collection.

how are the subtitles in the UK import? Might be worth picking up that edition assuming no region codes.

[Philnerd]

I still can't believe they took the time and money to create a different translation for the subs. Why in the world would you take *extra* effort to poo poo subtitles that were specifically and carefully approved by the director? Honestly, I'd like to have seen the meeting where that was decided. Sounds like more boob head overpaid executives fiddling in areas they know absolutely nothing about.

[shaolinpunks]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

If your TV is a 120 Hz model and has a feature called "TruMotion", "PureMotion", "MotionFlow", "Auto Motion Plus", or anything similar, turn it off.

Thanks for the reply. I don't have a 120 hz tv. That's crazy about motion plus on 120 hz tvs. Had no idea.

Originally Posted by crazzeto

how are the subtitles in the UK import? Might be worth picking up that edition assuming no region codes.

I just skimmed and watched some action scenes last night.
You have examples of the differences?
When I get off work I can check and tell you what mine says.
Theres something like 13 subtitle tracks (all diffrent languages) I know I have at least 2 English subtitle tracks (I think one might be closed captioned).
Does your version seem "choppy" during fighting scenes?