Classic martial arts mayhem on DVD

Asian action stars highlight new DVD releases

By Patrick Sauriol     July 25, 2003
Source: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Released this week to retail stores are the first five DVD titles in 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Fortune Star's "Martial Arts Promotion". The two companies have selected five legendary martial arts movies starring some of the world's most well-known Asian action actors such as Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat and Sammo Hung. Each of the five films has been remastered and restored and delivered in 5.1 Dolby Digital audio. As well, viewers can select between English and Chinese subtitles. Add to that cool bonus features including brand-new interviews with the film's stars, music videos, theatrical trailers and never-before-seen footage and for $14.98 for each film on DVD ($16.98 CDN), you have a pretty good deal.

The five titles in the first wave of DVD releases are:

CITY HUNTER: Ryu (Jackie Chan) is hired by a wealthy businessman to find his beautiful runaway daughter Shizuko. Tracking her to a cruise ship, Ryu tries to honor his business deal and win the heart of the lovely lady but his plans run afoul when a gang of criminals hijack the ship and demand ransom money for the passengers! Can Ryu stop the bad guys and steal the heart of Shizuko?

HONG KONG 1941: Chow Yun Fat stars in this searing drama that's set during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong between 1941-1945.

MAGNIFICENT BUTCHER: Sammo Hung plays Sai-wing, a likeable butcher who moonlights at a martial arts academy. When Sai-wing rescues the son of his rival, he uncovers a nefarious plot to smash his reputation and frame him for a murder. Skulls subsequently get busted.

MAGNIFICENT WARRIORS: Michelle Yeoh plays Ming-Ming, a soldier-for-hire in 1938 China. Sent to a remote mountain village to rescue a Chinese spy with important information, Ming-Ming finds herself involved in the villagers rise against an approaching hostile army.

NAKED KILLER: On the run after being framed for her father's killing, Kitty is taken in by an assassin known as Sister Cindy. After training in the art of death and given a new identity, Kitty begins a new life as a hitwoman. Her new line of work attracts the attention of a handsome detective and Kitty finds herself drawn to him. But when a hit is taken out on Kitty by one of Sister Cindy's ex-students, will she be able to survive?

Fox has also provided us with links to download some of the bonus materials from the DVDs. Choose from the following:

-- Jackie Chan talks about CITY HUNTER

-- Jackie Chan's cartoon fight in drag

-- Michelle Yeoh looks back at the filming of MAGNIFICENT WARRIORS

-- A look at the fight between female assassins in NAKED KILLER

All five DVDs in the first wave of Fox/Fortune Star's Martial Arts Promotion are now in stores.


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