MOVIE

9/10

Having been reading reviews of this for the past 10 years and never wanting to buy the crappy Pan and Scan, Dubbed version available at HMV, I finally decided to get it on DVD.
Well, the wait was worth it... I have to say I'm slightly biased - I'll watch anything with Sammo, and I've always regarded him as the one of the greatest Hong Kong Directors ever - but I love this movie!

The plot concerns Sammo's attempt, along with a plethora of Hong Kong actors, to stop the Shanghai Express for his own monetary gain. Traveling on board are hundreds of wealthy men and women, who Sammo believes will resurrect the declining economic state of his hometown, Hanshui.
Leaving the plot aside, this film is primarily played for laughs, and all the better for it (if you expect Eastern Condors, you'll be desperately disappointed), and features a huge cast of actors from the Hong Kong Film community of the late 80's. It's great fun trying to name all the cast and remembering what you've seen them in before. Off the top of my head I can give you Meng Hoi, Richard Ng, Kenny Bee, Yuen Kwai, Rosamund Kwan, Shek Kin, Richard Norton, Lam Ching Ying, Cynthia Rothrock...the list goes on.

PICTURE

8/10

Considering this was made in 1986 the print's in excellent condition. I didn't notice any speckles or scratches and the only times it looked its age were few and far between. The colours and detail were superb and Universe should give themselves a pat on the back.

SOUND

9/10

The sound is also excellent: The 5.1 remix is the best I've heard so far and adds a lot to the film - HEARING the train rumbling from right to left across the screen, and feeling a part of what you're watching really improves the viewing experience to no end. When remixes are this good, I don't see why they shouldn't be done to all Mono films - yes, it's THAT good.

SUBTITLES

10/10

The Subtitles are clear, containing no spelling errors or grammatical problems through out. Universe have done a great job translating the dialogue and you rarely, if ever, miss a joke.

EXTRAS

3/10

The extras are fairly routine - theatrical trailer, trailers for Eastern Condors, Prodigal Son, Winners And Sinners and Heart Of Dragon. - but the style the disc is presented in is very professional. Biographies for Sammo and Yuen Biao, animated chapter stops and the usual Subs. and Soundtrack menus are here - again presented very smartly.

CONCLUSION

9/10

If you're looking for a fast paced Comedy with a bone crunching finale and aren't too concerned about quantity of fights over quality - get this.
In my opinion this wipes the flaw with all the Lucky Stars films put together and proves that when Sammo's at the helm you can't go wrong!

MOVIE		9/10
PICTURE		8/10
SOUND		9/10
SUBTITLES		10/10
EXTRAS		3/10
MENUS		8/10
PACKAGING		6/10
OVERALL		9/10