"In the Mood for Love" Criterion Collection vs. Hong Kong Special Edition
02-06-03, 12:49 PM
#1
Cool New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"In the Mood for Love" Criterion Collection vs. Hong Kong Special Edition
I'm looking to buy a "special edition" version of Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love. I know Criterion has a nice two disc set, but I also hear that there is a nice special edition from a Hong Kong manufacturer.
Does anyone have an opinion have an opinion on which is better? Are they both worth owning?
Does anyone have an opinion have an opinion on which is better? Are they both worth owning?
02-06-03, 04:37 PM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: True North Strong & Free
Posts: 23,217
Received 2,203 Likes
on
1,506 Posts
I only have the Criterion version, so I can't compare it to any other versions, but I'm completely happy with it. Great transfer, and all the extras I could possibly want (except possibly for a directors commentary). As far as I'm concerned, its the definitive DVD of the film, so if you really like the film, you should be completely happy with it.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
02-06-03, 06:39 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another vote for the criterion edition, I paid $28 for my copy (picked it up with Palahniuks' book 'choke') to save on shipping, but yes it is well worth it, nice breakdown of the scenes and soundtrack, plus I don't recall the HK release having english subs on the special.... BUt I do hear that the French release is also good.....
Hell just buy the criterion one and enjoy, you won't be disappointed.
Hell just buy the criterion one and enjoy, you won't be disappointed.
02-06-03, 08:09 PM
#5
DVD Talk Reviewer
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Blu-ray.com
Posts: 10,380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
not only is the French release good but in my opinion has a much better quality as far as picture and transfer are concerned. I was able to observe in detail a French PAL copy in Chicago on a progressive scan 16/9 TV and the picture definitely looked much more solid on the French disc. However I would recommend the Criterion edition for the rather more natural look of the colors (and of course extras). You could compare the extras on the two R1 and R2 versions either by using CINESTORE or DVDFR
For such minor differencies however I believe that the R1 Criterion edition should be considered better if you live in the US/Canada.
For such minor differencies however I believe that the R1 Criterion edition should be considered better if you live in the US/Canada.
02-07-03, 10:18 AM
#6
Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Avoid all of the Hong Kong versions.... poor encoding and color blooms...
The Criterion is the best, followed closely by the French and UK (Tartan's 2nd version) releases.
If you want a cheap alernative that has barely any extras, the Canadian Seville release is very good.
J.T.
The Criterion is the best, followed closely by the French and UK (Tartan's 2nd version) releases.
If you want a cheap alernative that has barely any extras, the Canadian Seville release is very good.
J.T.
02-07-03, 01:26 PM
#7
DVD Talk Reviewer
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Blu-ray.com
Posts: 10,380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
JTKV.....let me say this one more time.....the only reason I placed Criterion as being #1 IS BECAUSE I ASSUME THAT THE GUY LIVES RIGHT HERE IN THE STATES!!
Otherwise....the French disc seems to be much better!!
Otherwise....the French disc seems to be much better!!
02-08-03, 11:39 AM
#8
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 5,919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rewind's opinion:
http://www.dvdcompare.org.uk/compari...e.php?fid=1538
http://www.dvdcompare.org.uk/compari...e.php?fid=1538
OVERALL : Draw - Between the Region 2 Special Editions for the sheer amount of extras (Note - the TFI/French version has the best packaging) or the Region 1 Criterion Edition as it has been confirmed by more than one person to have a noticeably superior picture (the colours, particularly greens seem more vibrant. The image does seem to be slightly zoomed in compared with the R2 but this doesn't affect the composition) & sound quality, although the Region 2 Special Editions do have very nice picture & sound too.
The choice is yours, depending which is higher on your DVD priority List.
All Region 2 Special Editions are the same except for packaging. Of the THREE Special Edition, different versions (TFI, Criterion & Mei Ah) all have different extras so there is no definitive version.
Lastly except for the Mei Ah Special Edition (which reports state doesn't have a very good picture) all other DVD's mentioned here, have the subtitles mentioned above for ALL extras too.
The choice is yours, depending which is higher on your DVD priority List.
All Region 2 Special Editions are the same except for packaging. Of the THREE Special Edition, different versions (TFI, Criterion & Mei Ah) all have different extras so there is no definitive version.
Lastly except for the Mei Ah Special Edition (which reports state doesn't have a very good picture) all other DVD's mentioned here, have the subtitles mentioned above for ALL extras too.
02-08-03, 03:42 PM
#9
DVD Talk Reviewer
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Blu-ray.com
Posts: 10,380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can not disagree more with DVDCOMPARE as I personally had the chance to compare the 2 dvds and the French disc does look a bit better. However I believe that they are correct (as I stated before) that the difference is so tiny that where you live(R?) should determine which disc you will be getiing!
02-09-03, 10:34 AM
#11
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh brother. French disc is not better. Transfer is inferior and the MPEG2 encoding is VASTLY inferior. There is simply no comparison. Any large screen will show the difference. The Criterion is the best.
02-10-03, 08:11 AM
#12
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have both the Criterion and the TF1 French version - best transfer is definitely the Criterion. But TF1's extras are a slight bit more interesting (sans In the Mood for Love 2001).
02-10-03, 03:29 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just out of interest, can anyone report on the quality of the Korean 2 disc release of In the Mood for Love? I am really keen on getting the tin, but not if it means getting an inferior quality transfer.
02-10-03, 04:29 PM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
I haven't seen the Korean version - just the original HK version (suck) and the French version (kicks so much ass) - but Korean DVDs are typically really top-notch quality. Outstanding transfers with amazing sound and nice options... the extras are usually not subtitled in English, but they usually go all out on the packages. In general, I like Korean DVDs more than American ones.
01-23-05, 03:20 PM
#15
Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's the final word on Mei Ah's new remastered version? Is it a port of the French set?
Anyone seen the 2-disc? I already have the Criterion, but I'd like to know if this is worth picking up in addition.
Anyone seen the 2-disc? I already have the Criterion, but I'd like to know if this is worth picking up in addition.
01-24-05, 12:09 AM
#16
DVD Talk Reviewer
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Blu-ray.com
Posts: 10,380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sanjuro:
If you have the Criterion then you do not need anything else....If you are looking for the French transfer (for some reason)...then track down the French disc. Period!!
Regards,
Pro-B
If you have the Criterion then you do not need anything else....If you are looking for the French transfer (for some reason)...then track down the French disc. Period!!
Regards,
Pro-B
01-24-05, 07:58 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I doubt it's important by now but dvdbeaver compared the two sets.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcom...oodforlove.htm
The French DVD seems slightly more detailed, but I prefer the colours on the CC DVD. I have the Criterion and I love it.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcom...oodforlove.htm
The French DVD seems slightly more detailed, but I prefer the colours on the CC DVD. I have the Criterion and I love it.
01-27-05, 05:22 AM
#18
Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: At the 2.20 Aspect Ratio
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the UK Tartan disc, image quality is extremely strong. I made the chice over Criterion, because of the info I saw/analyzed on DVDBeaver (which I don't know is still operating).
The colors are very vibrant in the UK release. I don't think the 2-disc TF1 is available (at least easily).
I believe that Criterion might have better compression, but the colors (per an interview with Christopher Doyle) are supposed to be "extra."
So take your pick on what the film makers intended -- that's probably always best.
The colors are very vibrant in the UK release. I don't think the 2-disc TF1 is available (at least easily).
I believe that Criterion might have better compression, but the colors (per an interview with Christopher Doyle) are supposed to be "extra."
So take your pick on what the film makers intended -- that's probably always best.
