Customer Rating:      Summary: Sony Chiba Collection Comment: Hey the real find in this collection is the full international release of the 1980's Apocalyptic survival tale " Virus " released in the USA in a edited confusing edition, and never released here in a official unedited version that restores the complex and exciting tale of survival. Well if that bothered you, then here it is, a pretty decent print to boot and no goofy overseas sub-titles to distract. Two other films are thrown in as a bonus " Golgo 13" and " Bullet Train " both very entertaining. A must have collection for " Virus " fans and those who admire Sonny Chiba's cool martial arts vibe.
Customer Rating:      Summary: The full-length version of Virus Comment: Yes, the version of 'Virus' on disc 1 of this 3-disc set IS the full-length Japanese version, presented in an excellent widescreen print. The picture quality is WAY better than any previous DVD release - although that's not difficult when previous editions have looked more like worn-out rental VHS tapes than professional DVD releases! :)
The Japanese-language scenes have removable English subtitles and, as with most director's cuts, the story feels far more complete in this long version. Those who are familiar with the shorter, strictly chronological 'international' cut may be quite surprised when this version opens with the submarine approaching dead Tokyo ... before flashing back several years to explain how the entire world came to be a graveyard. The long version of 'Virus' is a quite different, ultimately much more powerful cut of a film you may think you already know.
If, like me, you were seeking the full-length 155 minute version of 'Virus' then look no further - here it is.
Hey, as a bonus, you get two other films too!
'Golgo 13' is the 1977 Japanese film 'Golgo 13 : Kowloon Assignment' and is presented in 2.35:1 with a choice of either the original Japanese soundtrack plus English subtitles ... or a so-bad-it's-almost-funny dubbed English soundtrack.
'Bullet Train' (1975) is, as many people have pointed out, blatantly where 'Speed' (1994) stole its plot from. It's in 2.35:1 and is the US theatrical version with a run-time of 115 minutes. Your only audio option is English-dubbed, but luckily the dub-job is far better than on 'Golgo 13' - in fact, even dubbed into a foreign language, the Japanese actors manage to be less wooden than Keanu Reeves was in the unofficial remake. The original Japanese cut of 'Bullet Train' ran for 152 minutes but, in contrast to 'Virus', the concensus of opinion seems to be that the shorter run-time here is merciful rather than regrettable.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Meh.. Comment: Three flicks, and one with Sonny Chiba in the main role. Golgo 13 (the aforementioned main role) was rockin' and worth a watch. In Virus Chiba is in a supporting role but surprisingly the movie overall isn't that bad. The worst of the bunch was Bullet Train, in which he goes from supporting role to a token role, and I didn't care for it at all. If you're a real Chiba fan and already own Golgo 13 I'd not mess with this unless you're the type of person who must have a complete collection of each and every single title in which Chiba had a role.
|