This rocks. Just a month after people were disappointed to find the DTS SHIRI from Hong Kong was region 3 encoded, the company that released the high quality 16x9 Korean version two years ago has now released a 2 disc special edition, this one subtitled in English and region 0! I watched my copy, which I purchased from http://www.dvdasian.com just last night and was mighty impressed.

First, the sound: DD5.1 and DTS tracks are included and both are exceptional and slightly better than the two Hong Kong releases from Edko (Region 0 DD5.1 & Region 3 DTS). These are impressive tracks and easily the best foreign soundtracks I have ever heard. Not quite Hollywood grade, but still very engrossing.

Subtitles are near perfect, featuring the same translation as the Edko releases. The font is the perfect size and easy to read. These are not the normal Hong Kong subs translated by a grade school kid with a dictionary. They are professionally done.

The 16x9 transfer is 1.85:1, where the 4:3 Edko transfers were 1.66:1. The SE's picture quality is more detailed and vibrant, especially when played using a 16x9 capable monitor. Compression artifacts are minor, so while this release is miles ahead of the the average or even the best Hong Kong releases, it is not quite as perfect as most A grade U.S. releases.

There is one scene cut, which is presented on disc 2. It's a shot of very graphic violence and one that was somewhat confusing every time I saw it. The explanation as to why this was cut is in Korean, so I do not know why. But this disc is director supervised and approved.

Extras include interviews and a making of, in Korean.
But there are two trailers, a Japanese commercial and filmographies in English. There are also some unsubtitled deleted scenes.

Columbia TriStar has purchased the distribution rights to this film, but they are going to release it theatrically to art houses and I do not see how they can do so without major cuts to get an R from the MPAA. This film's opening sequence would have to be almost completely cut out to avoid the dreaded NC-17, so do yourself a favor and get the Korean SE. I highly recommend it.

Cost me $32 shipped.

Thanks for the info... personally I'm going to wait to see what Columbia does first. $32 is a bit steep for a single DVD (even a double set) of an unknown movie.

It will be cut. Probably by quite a bit. I pray not, but the MPAA is God.

I don't think it'll be cut that much.Shiri is only a "12"certificate here...If it is cut it will probably be by the video company to reduce the running time (a la Jackie Chan movies)although the story is quite Americanised for a Korean picture so maybe they'll leave it alone likd CTHD......

No offense, but you do not know what you are talking about. SHIRI is one of the most bloody, graphic "good" films I have ever seen, filled with blood spirting violence and scenes of killing that will never pass through the MPAA.

Plus, the MPAA is very hard on foreign films when it comes to ratings. It has been debated that they are racist, but I don't think so. It comes down to money. A big studio film can be submitted over and over again until the MPAA is worn down and just gives in and grants the R or PG13 (like with Wild Wild West & Starship Troopers).

But a low budget or foreign film does not have that kind of support and Columbia will not submit it two dozen times to protect the integrity of the film. They will simply cut what the MPAA wants them to cut. The classic film THE WILD BUNCH was shelved by Warner Bros. Back in the early 90's after the MPAA slapped an NC-17 on it and it was only when someone found that the cut submitted was the same "R" rated version from way back in 1969 that the MPAA said OK and the film was released. Otherwise Warner would have dumped it.

With SHIRI, the cuts will include much of the opening sequence. I do not know how this prologue can pass without being sliced to bits. Then later on many of the gun hits are terribly bloody. The MPAA is trying to reduce "Gun violence on screen", so today blood spirting wounds are nowhere to be found in Hollywood productions. THE MATRIX had tons of bullets, but almost no blood at all.

DIE HARD would get an NC-17 were it re-submitted today.

By the way, LIONS GATE had the film for a short time and did not submit it to the MPAA after they learned talk was the film hads already been thought of as too bloody for an R. They let their license lapse and Columbia came in, thinking, "Hey, look at what CROUCHING TIGER did for us!"


[Edited by Matt Stevens on 05-15-01 at 09:57 AM]

If they aren't going for mass release then Columbia may not really care and leave it uncut. Of course nothing stops them putting the uncut version on DVD.

Columbia cannot release unrated films to theaters, per policy and agreements with the MPAA. Complicated, but true.

But there's no stipulation about them releasing a NC17 right? Esp if it's meant for "art house" theather and not the megaplexes. Also, since I very rarely see movies in the theater any more anyway, the important thing is what they do w/ the DVD

Columbia has never released an NC-17 picture and never will. Same for Warner, Paramount, Universal, Fox, Disney and every other major. They do not want the controversy.

NC-17 = kiss of death. That simple.

The "NC-17 = kiss of death" issue is sad, but true. I recently sat in on a discussion with filmmaker Philip Kaufman, whose movie Henry & June created the NC-17 rating. The original intention of the rating was to be for serious films that were just strictly for adults and inappropriate for children. It was a way to differentiate serious films from X-rated porno trash. However, it seems that the NC-17 rating has for the most part been given such a negative connotation that people don't see NC-17 any differently than they do X.

Matt, obviously you are at the point in this argument where you actually want Columbia to cut the movie, but there's no reason to be so adamant about something that hasn't been determined yet. Unless you are just trying to justify spending $32 on the DVD.

For what it's worth, Columbia just released the equally gun-happy (if less gory) TIME AND TIDE to US theaters without any cuts.

That's good news Unfortunately I checked and the only place local to me that is playing it is charging $7.75/ticket At that price I might as well wait for the DVD

Sartana, come on. That's an absurd statement. I would jump for joy if Columbia released it uncut. But having friends that work at Columbia and an agent who has contacts there, I can tell you for sure, they are anticipating the MPAA will slap an NC-17 on it. They are preparing for it. This is good, because they will argue their case, but if the MPAA says, "Sorry", cuts will be made.

Columbia doesn't like controversy. They actually dropped a completed 2 hour documentary from DOGMA because Disney was upset and it was "controversial." Pathetic.

you can find the special edition at pokerindustries.com for around $23. i haven't seen the movie yet though but really want it now.

Wow...this sort of just popped up. I was disappointed I missed the (flawed) first R0 disc. Now I'm glad.

Plus there is a coupon for pokerindustries in the Bargain forum so it's a great deal!

Shawn

Does anyone know if this is a limited release set or is it going to be around for awhile?

It should be around for a while.

Maybe. Maybe not. Hong Kong releases are known to disappear quickly. If there is demand it will be released again, like Tai Chi Master. But maybe not...like Drunken Master II (though I guess enough are still floating around that at least Pokerindustries still has some copies).

Personally if I want a HK release I jump on it. Though I pick up most of what I want since I like lesser known stuff that is more likely to go OOP.

Shawn