This Bruce Li flick has been released on DVD an amazing three times by three different companies (Digital Gold, Platinum Disc, Front Row Entertainment, Inc.). This release actually presents a nice print (for a Bruce Li flick anyways) and proves to be one of the better Bruce Li DVDs out there right now (which ain't saying much).

Picture quality

Another Bruce Li film makes it to DVD full frame! It should come as no surprise seeing as kung fu flicks have been the bastard stepchildren of cinema since the heyday of VCRs. They are always treated poorly and never given the proper care and treatment. With that said, this release isn't too bad actually. The print used (which lacks opening credits) is incredibly clear with no scratches. The shades are a bit discolored but it is very easy to watch. The only problem is a bit of "trailing" that occurs, especially evident in the night scenes. Characters will move but the outline of their image stays behind, sort of like when a computer screen gets fried.

Sound quality

Presented in glorious Dolby Mono 2.0 with no discernable audio problems.

The Film

Great little Bruce Li flick that contains all the proper ingredients, with those being fights and lots of them. Having Bruce team up with another cop to bust a group of counterfeiters is cool, making it more of a buddy picture. As always, Li is on top of his game and the film features zero "Bruce-mugs." The rest of the cast is great with Dana providing lots of nudity and Bolo Yeung hamming it up as a Japanese (!) counterfeiter. Fights are plentiful and incredibly well choreographed with Bruce always taking on several opponents (including an entire Karate school). The last 20 minutes are non-stop as Bruce and his partner take on the lead counterfeiter and his son. They even bust out some wrestling moves.

Extras

The disc features an interactive menu with 12 chapter stops. Supplements include a brief essay about kung fu. Also promised is an essay about Bruce Li but when I clicked on it on my player, it jumped to the previous essay about kung fu.

Packaging

Man, Front Row Entertainment dropped the ball here. The cover features these really bad frame grabs of the characters, as does the bad cover. A cheap looking cover that will no doubt lead people to think the film is cheap too. But at least they got the actors right. The Platinum Disc has a picture of Bruce Lee and some other random Chinese guy who is definitely not Bruce Li.

RATINGS

Film 8/10
Picture Quality 6/10
Sound Quality 6/10
Packaging 4/10
Overall Disc Score 6/10

Review by William.