• Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1
• Video Codec: AVC MPEG-4
• Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
• Audio Codec: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (Crime Story)
• Subtitles: English, Cantonese
• Subtitles Color: N/A
• Region: A (Region-Locked)
• Rating: Not Rated (Crime Story) & R (The Protector)
• Run Time: 103/95 Mins.
• Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
• Digital Copies: N/A
• Studio: Shout! Factory
• Blu-ray Release Date: January 15th, 2013
• List Price: $19.93

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Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:3.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]

The Film

[Rating:3.5/5]

In this double feature of Jackie Chan films, we’re given Crime Story and The Protector. Both films find Chan playing detectives involving in the rescuing of a kidnapped person. Specifically, Story sees Chan playing a special agent named Eddie Chan. Assigned to protect a wealthy business magnate, he soon finds himself racing against time shortly after the billionaire is taken in a daring ambush. Forced to work with a person he suspects just may be behind the crime, Chan must now put everything aside in hopes of saving this man. The film itself is one of the more serious roles Chan has ever played, particularly due to the film being a darker movie than what we’re used to from Chan. With that said, Crime Story is a swift, entertaining Chan film mixed in with all the high-flying action we’ve come to know Chan for.

The Protector finds Chan playing Billy Wong, an NYC cop who is sent to Hong Kong with his partner Danny Garoni (Danny Aiello) after a drug lord kidnaps the daughter of a former associate. This drug lord, named Mr. Ko (Roy Chiao), is known throughout Hong Kong for his ruthless tactics, something of which Billy and Danny will have to overcome. Like Crime Story, The Protector is yet another old school Jackie Chan film that is quite entertaining to watch. The film itself may not be the absolutely BEST (quality wise), but I always love to see what kind of tricks Chan is going to pull off.

Video Quality

[Rating:3/5]

Each film arrives with a 1:85:1 framed, AVC MPEG-4 encoded transfer. The film’s both have a somewhat darker palette, focusing more on natural light versus artificial lighting. While this does help the films have a realistic look and feel to them, detail can tend to suffer. Detail is soft throughout with no real notice of anything that screams hi-def. While this may sound like a big detractor, I will easily admit that (despite this fact), the film’s look fine. There’s no notice of print damage, nor any scratches. There’s a slight layer of film grain as well. All in all, these transfers are the best the films will ever look – short of a full transfer overhaul.

Audio Quality

[Rating:3.5/5]

Audio-wise, both films are given a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless mix available in English (with Crime Story receiving a Cantonese option.) With optional English dubs available on Crime Story, I obviously chose the lossless Cantonese option, as the dubs sounded terrible. For the most part, the lossless mixes are just fine. Dialogue is easy to understand (and read), while a majority of the effects (like gun fire and a few explosions/crashes) are front heavy. While this does result in a lack of surround activity, I didn’t find this to be a major issue. All in all, these mixes get the job done.

Supplemental Materials

[Rating:2/5]

The included features are presented in both Standard Definition and High Definition:

• Interview with Director Kirk Wong (Crime Story) (SD) – This runs just shy of 10 minutes, and finds the Director reminiscing on working with Chan. The feature is in Chinese with English subtitles.
• Deleted Scenes (Crime Story) (SD) – 6:30 worth of deleted scenes are shown.
• From New York to Hong Kong (The Protector) (HD) – This one also runs just shy of 10 minutes, and finds the Director also reminiscing on working with Chan.
• Behind-the-Scenes (The Protector) (SD) – This runs just shy of 5 minutes, featuring a bit of insight into the film’s production. Oddly enough this one is in Chinese only with no English subtitles.
• Chan’s Cut of The Protector – Also included, perhaps making this one move into the own category, is Chan’s Cut of The Protector. Initially Chan was not pleased with the direction Glickenhaus was going for, so he decided to make his own version of the film. Most notably, Chan’s cut has less nudity/profanity and a few different moments. Personally, I found Chan’s cut to be the better of the two.

The Definitive Word

Overall:

[Rating:3.5/5]

For Jackie Chan fans, this double feature pack is a no brainer. Everyone else? I’m going to recommend this one as a strong rental (especially for old school action fans.)

Purchase Jackie Chan Double Feature on Blu-ray at CD Universe

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Purchase Jackie Chan Double Feature on Blu-ray at CD Universe

Shop for more Blu-ray titles on Amazon.com

Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:3.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]