Hong Kong Digital #140: Bangkok Dangerous (UK DVD)

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Issue #140

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December 30th, 2002

Bangkok Dangerous (UK DVD)
(1999; Film Bangkok/BEC-Tero Entertainment)

RATING	10 A Masterpiece	9 Excellent	8 Highly Recommended	7 Very Good	6 Recommended
RATING	5 Marginal Recommendation	4 Not Recommended	3 Poor	2 Definitely Not Recommended	1 Dreadful

I reviewed the disappointing American DVD release of this Thai hit in issue #130. Thankfully, those with all-region capability have an excellent alternative in this British PAL disc, which offers definite improvement in almost every area (for my evaluation of the film itself, click HERE).

Pawalit Mongkolpisit

Premsinee Ratanasopha

Patharawarin Timkul

Pisek Intrakanchit

Above images courtesy Metro Tartan.
Above images have ZOOM links. Click on picture for larger image.

ZOOM
Cover art courtesy Metro Tartan.

DVD SPECS

Metro Tartan #TVD 3378 (UK Label)

Dolby Digital 2.0

Sync Sound Thai Language

16 Chapters (Only Titles are Featured in the Menu)

Optional English Subtitles

Enhanced for 16:9 Displays

Letterboxed (1.85:1)

Coded for ALL Regions

PAL Format

102 Minutes (at 25 frames-per-second)

Contains brutal violence, mild sexual violence, and mild sexuality

DVD menu courtesy Metro Tartan.

FILM BOARD RATINGS AND CONSUMER ADVICE

Great Britain: 18
Netherlands: 16
Singapore (Theatrical): RA
Singapore: (Video): PG [Cut Version]
Sweden: 15
United States: R (Strong Violence and Sexuality)

PRESENTATION

In contrast to the soft, smeary American disc, Tartan's transfer restores the movie's intended appearance and offers removable subtitles. Hues and contrasts are now sharply delineated and the 1.85:1 framing is far more comfortable. The print is very clean, though a small hair can be seen at the right edge of the screen from 31:30 to 34:03. Luckily, it will only be apparent to those whose TVs have absolutely no overscan. The audio is also only 2.0 here but still delivers a satisfying amount of power and dimensionality. First Look offered only the U.S. trailer as an extra but Tartan has delivered more, though not enough for the disc to qualify as a special edition. As neither the directors nor the principal players have amassed very many credits thus far, the filmographies section is very short, and the promotional gallery only consists of three pages. Mark Wyatt offers a succinct four page appraisal of the film's strengths, and a trailer is also included, along with a section offering spots for AUDITION, BATTLE ROYALE, FREEZER (the UK title for FREEZE ME), NOWHERE TO HIDE, and DEAD OR ALIVE. The considerate back cover write-up includes a warning that there is a sequence featuring strobe lights.

BANGKOK DANGEROUS is available at Poker Industries.

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