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The Movie:
"Crime Story" is one of Jackie Chan's more serious pictures. Usually, his charming personality plays action scenes from most of his films for humor, but here, he does quite well playing a more serious and dramatic role. Chan plays a Hong Kong police detective who hunts down the corrupt officers who kidnapped a wealthy real estate developer.
The film doesn't contain quite as many fights as some other Chan films, but the chases and fights the film does contain are well staged and exciting. Chan's amazing stuntwork is on display again here, and it never fails to amaze.
I liked to see this kind of work from Chan, who shows here that he's as able to do humor as he is drama. The film's plot is also not terribly complex, but it's decent. Not my favorite Chan film, but certainly entertaining enough.
The DVD
VIDEO: This is unfortunately another non-anamorphic title from Dimension, but as non-anamorphic titles go, it's a respectable and clean looking transfer that looks well-defined. The 1.85:1 image is consistently sharp and nicely detailed, with good clarity. A few dim interior sequences look a little murky, but not terribly so.
Colors are solid although not always bold, with some looking a little bit subdued. Colors never show any signs of problems such as bleeding. There are a few minor instances of pixelation and marks/scratches on the print used, but these are only a small distraction. Not quite as good as it could be, but a watchable transfer.
SOUND: The English mono soundtrack is limited, but actually not that bad as mono soundtracks go. Gunfire and action is presented well, and there is no distortion or hiss. The musical score sounds pretty solid. Certainly nothing too remarkable, but enjoyable.
MENUS:: Basic, non-animated main menus with film-themed art.
EXTRAS: Nothing.
Final Thoughts: A good film, and a fine performance from Jackie Chan.
Film Grade
The Film B
DVD Grades
Video 85/B = (340/400 possible points)
Audio: 79/C+ = (316/400 possible points)
Extras: 0/F = (0/300 possible points)
Menus: 70/C- = (140/200 possible points)
Value: 77/C = (231/300 possible points)
TOTAL POINTS:1027/1600
DVD GRADE:D/64%
FILM GRADE: B
DVD GRADE: D
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