DISCLAIMER
Well I don't know if I should be reviewing DVDs because I don't have a fancy home theatre. I don't have a large TV. I don't have a surround sound system. I watch movies on a 27" TV and the sound comes the TV and a plain old desk top stereo. That was just my disclaimer.
Intro
I read on another site that Secret Ninja, Roaring Tiger was cut by the BBFC by 1 minute and 37 seconds. What's with those UK guys and cutting out footage? I just don't get it. I'm sure the movie would've been better with the footage left in because if the footage was boring they wouldn't have cut it! It was good a good flick and you can read my review for it here.
Picture Quality
Like almost all old school kung fu movies Secret Ninja, Roaring Tiger is presented full screen. This doesn't distract from the movie and the fights are framed well. The occasional scene has some characters getting cut off, but all in all it's not bad. The colors look a little wacky or as I read on some fancy talking DVD site "oversaturated". I dunno what that means, but it does almost make me seem like I know what I'm talking about. The night scenes are super dark and it's impossible to tell what's happening. Still when compared to other budget DVDs like Front Row, Platinum, Ground Zero, Beverly Whilshire, there is nothing wrong with Secret Ninja, Roaring Tiger.
Sound Quality
Read the disclaimer, it all sounded fine to me.
Extras
The back of the case lists the special features as scene selections. Since when did scene selections become a special feature? Next they'll be telling us that the color artwork is an extra.
Menus/Screens/Other Crap
The cover of the disc is pretty good featuring a painted picture of Dragon Lee posing over a defeated enemy. The back features several pictures which may or most likely may not be from the film. The main menu features the same cover image with the classic kung fu-y music playing in the background. The scene selection menu features static images representing the 12 chapters. You think since scene selections were listed as a special feature they could've gone with some animated chapter icons.
Overall
It's really a bare bones disc, with the only stand out being the cover which looks nicer than most budget discs. As far I as know the Hollywood UK DVD of Secret Ninja, Roaring Tiger is the only official release of the movie. Despite the cuts to the movie I still enjoyed it and I'm glad I picked up this disc. If you can play PAL DVDs and are a Dragon Lee and Hwang Jang Lee fan then pick this up.
Reviewed by Keith.