Dragons Forever, also known as Cyclone Z, is the final “three brothers” film but what a high note these three titans of Hong Kong Cinema - Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao - go out on! They play against type - with Chan as the sleazeball lawyer, Hung as the Con Artist, and Biao as the accidental thief - and it all works so well that you won’t be bothered by the role reversals as a unique court case with a whole lot of chemicals killing the wildlife ends with fists and feet flowing every which way as the various stunt teams involved in the making of the movie try to one-up each other . . . without killing the stars.
To put it bluntly, Dragons Forever is a whole lot of chop socky fun. Featuring furious takedowns on catwalks and a ruthless brawl between friends on the street, the film doesn’t pull any of its punches or kicks. While it might be slowed down by some hilariously cheesy romantic montages, the action more than makes up for the lagging moments!
Directed by Sammo Hung and Corey Yuen, this action/comedy is all sorts of footloose fun as fish owned by Miss Yip (Deannie Yip) are being poisoned by a chemical company that’s really a front for a drug ring. She, along with her cousin Wen (Pauline Yeung), are trying to bring charges against the powerful company but nothing is sticking . . . until a hotshot lawyer, who hires his friend Wong (Hung) to spy on Yip and tells his other friend Tung (Biao) to bug her apartment, ;eaves the women alone for once and gets involved. He wants Yip to settle out of court but, as these things happen, he soon discovers that he and his friends are on the wrong side.
Because the chemical company is a front for a drug ring which shows no sign of ceasing their supply and demand chain.
After a course correction and a couple of unexpected romances, the three friends find themselves in a warehouse full of thugs as ruthless gangster Hua (Yuen Wah) and his right-hand man (Benny Urquidez) take matters into the own hands and push back against the trio with epic fight sequences that will leave your jaw on the floor and render you completely dazed and confused.
The action is that fast and furious. Blink and you’ll miss some of the fast action beats as Chan wipes the floor with Urquidez and Biao takes on the cigar-chomping antics of Wah.
But that’s what Chan, Hung, and Biao do so well. And, acting together for what is probably the last time, they definitely deliver an all star brawl of sheer delight.
Dragons Forever is now available in a fine 4K Ultra HD release from 88 Films.
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray
Home Video Distributor: 88 Films
Available on Blu-ray - January 10, 2023
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English; English SDH
Video: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Audio: Cantonese: Dolby Atmos; Cantonese: Dolby TrueHD 7.1; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: 4K UHD; Blu-ray Disc; two disc set
Region Encoding: Region-free Playback
Hotshot lawyer Jackie Lung (Jackie Chan) is hired to defend the owner of a factory which, unbeknownst to him, is the center of a clandestine narcotics syndicate. He enlists resourceful acquaintances Wong Fei-Hung (Sammo Hung) and Dung Dak-Biu (Yuen Biao) to assist in the case, but loyalties begin to falter when romance blossoms between both sides.
Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, Dragons Forever is beautifully presented on 1080p from Shout Factory. Interiors are strong. Colors pop throughout, but it is the blood effects - burning bright in the transfer - which seal the deal on this one. It’s full of great atmosphere thanks to the quick-footed script and looks visually eye-popping due to the 1080- upgrade. Black levels are strong throughout, bringing out nice details in both the loud and quiet moments of this epic adventure. The tracking shots are glorious to behold in 1080p. Blacks are solid and shadows maintain their lines. Even the costumes are noted stitch by stitch.
Audio
Audio is offered for all three versions in Cantonese Dolby Atmos (7.1 Dolby TrueHD compatible), Cantonese 2.0 Mono, and English Mono Hybrid, with the latter two DTS-HD Master Audio tracks. Also included is the 2002 English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio remix created by Fortune Star for the Hong Kong cut only, as well as subtitle options for all three versions in English and English SDH.
Supplements:
Get ready to rumble with these supplemental items!
Commentary:
- See Special Features for the breakdown.
Special Features:
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the Hong Kong Version [94 mins] in original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
- Cantonese-language options in Dolby Atmos and mono with newly translated subtitles and SDH
- English Mono Hybrid Dub
- 2002 Remixed English 5.1
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the CYCLONE Z Version [98 mins] [Produced exclusively for the Japanese market, this Cantonese-language version includes two extra scenes and an ending with outtakes]
- Cantonese language options in Dolby Atmos and mono with newly translated subtitles and SDH
- English Mono Hybrid Dub
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) ofthe International Version [94 mins] [Commissioned by Golden Harvest for international audiences outside Asia] with the English Dub and optional English SDH
- [New] Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng and FJ DeSanto [Japanese Cut]
- Audio Commentary with Mike Leeder and Arne Venema [Hong Kong Cut]
- [New] Elite Stuntman: Interview with Chin Kar-Lok
- [New] Writing for the Dragons: Interview with Szeto Cheuk-Hon
- Benny Forever: Interview with Benny “The Jet” Urquidez
- Discussing Dragons Forever: Interview with David Desser
- Hong Kong Cinema Forever: Interview with Mike Leeder
- Working with the Dragons: Interview with Jude Poyer
- The Legacy of Dragons Forever Featurette with today’s actors & martial artists including Troy Sandford, Chris Jones, Ross Boyask, Maria Tran, Mike Leeder, Jean-Paul Ly, Mark Strange, Mike Moeller, George Clarke, Jude Poyer & Steve Lawson
- Double Jeopardy: An Interview with Brad Allen
- Beyond Gravity: An Interview with Joe Eigo
- Thai Breaker: An Interview with Billy Chow
- Kick Fighter: An Interview with Andy Cheng
- Out-takes & Behind the Scenes [HD]
- English Trailer (HD)
- Hong Kong Trailer (HD)
- Music Video (English) & (Cantonese)
- [NEW] Additional Cantonese Dialogue
- Double-sided artwork featuring new art by Sean Longmore & original Hong Kong poster
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: TV-14.
Runtime: 102 mins
Director: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung; Corey Yuen
Writer: Gordon Chan; Yiu-Ming Leung; Cheuk-Hon Szeto
Cast: Jackie Chan; Sammo Kam-Bo Hung; Biao Yuen
Genre: Action | Comedy
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Theatrical Distributor: Golden Harvest Company
Official Site: https://88-films.myshopify.com/products/dragons-forever-uhd-blu-ray
Release Date: Februay 11, 1988
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: January 10, 1988
Synopsis: Three successful Hong Kong lawyers are hired by a chemical company of questionable ethics and must eventually make a difficult decision when their employer's motives become clear.
