Gorgeous   Starring Jackie Chan Shu Kei

Jackie Chan's New Year movie for 1999, and an interesting change of direction for Hong Kong's biggest living star.   The Cast Jackie is backed up by a very talented supporting cast, with Tony Leung especially on superb form. Ken Lo is also very funny in his role as one of the 'heavies'. He's shaved his head too. The little guy who fights Jackie is a superb fighter too and also unfortunately shows how age is catching up with Jackie. Shu Kei is perfectly cast as the tom-boy but sexy county girl. Jackie, hmm, well it's different and the film doesn't rely on the slapstick comedy, which has become familiar to 'Jackie Chan' movie. Still kudos to him for trying something new.   Trivia As Jackie says in an interview segment on the DVD, Shu Kei was not his original choice for the role of the girl. In fact he disapproved of her casting because of her Cat III past (supposedly this statement brought Shu Kei to tears). Jackie then changed his mind and she was reinstated in the role. Lucky for Jackie if you ask me.... Strange how art reflects life isn't it? In Gorgeous we have a millionaire who gets together with a girl half his age. In the real world we have Jackie Chan, a millionaire who cheats on his wife with a beauty queen half his age. Funny old world eh? Don't get me wrong I love Jackie Chan, his movies at least. Obviously I don't know about his personal life or his relationship with his estranged wife, or son for that matter, I just have a problem with someone who tries to keep a 'butter wouldn't melt in his mouth' image when clearly he's as immoral as the next person. Besides I like Shu Kei and didn't appreciate his 'moral' tirade.   Sorry about that little 'moral' crusade. I got caught up my own ass for a minute there.   The DVD Released by Universe. Region All - NTSC Audio Cantonese DD 5.1 Mandarin DD 5.1 Extras Behind the scenes vignette Interviews with Jackie and the director. Two music videos Picture Superb picture quality, which it should be for a film only made a year ago. No scratches or nicks that have become familiar with HK movie prints. Digitally mastered very well, though I guess they didn't really need to clear up the print much if at all. The layer change is noticeable but occurs at a minor (sickly) point in the movie (when Jackie and Shu swim with a dolphin - ahhhh..)   Audio It's good, the 5.1 mix is very good by HK standards. As as a comedy/drama, I don't really see (or hear) the need for dynamic sound for this movie. It's in synch, it's clear and that's about it. Oh and the film was shot in synch sound, on the Cantonese track anyway Extras The extras are pretty good and you certainly get more here then you do on the older titles released by Universe. However the interviews are a bit annoying since they are separated into little scenes - a question pops up on the screen and then the interviewee answers it. A lot of button pushing. The two music videos are the same as are the songs! The only difference is the song is sung in Mandarin in one video and Cantonese in the other. It's a very syrupy ballad which I found as appealing as watching Three swordsmen again.   Overall Not bad. Sure it's a change of pace for Jackie but it's quite appealing. Hell there's even some fight scenes to appease pure Jackie Chan fans. The DVD compliments the film. Jackie fans - Get it if you're feeling adventurous.   Click here to go home