Jackie Chan: Emergence of a Superstar | Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2023

Criterion is set to release a six-movie set titled “Jackie Chan: Emergence of a Superstar” on November 7, 2023. The collection will feature six films, including “Half a Loaf of Kung Fu” (1978), “Spiritual Kung Fu” (1978), “The Fearless Hyena” (1979), “The Fearless Hyena II” (1983), “The Young Master” (1980), and “My Lucky Stars” (1985).

Official details:

Initially seen as a possible replacement for Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, a talented martial artist from Hong Kong, quickly developed his own distinct on-screen identity. This involved a mix of humorous physical comedy and impressive martial arts skills, resulting in impressive displays of athleticism. These six early-career highlights showcase Chan’s evolution from rising star to accomplished filmmaker, as he continues to embody the lovable and mischievous persona that made him a worldwide sensation.

The icon took on more responsibility for his projects, becoming the choreographer of his own martial arts and eventually a writer-director who revolutionized the genre of action comedy.

Features:

• The movies Spiritual Kung Fu, The Fearless Hyena, Fearless Hyena II, The Young Master, and My Lucky Stars have all been digitally restored in 2K resolution. Additionally, Half a Loaf of Kung Fu has received a high-definition digital restoration and features uncompressed monaural sound.

• Alternate Cantonese soundtracks in both stereo and 5.1 surround.

• English-dubbed versions of Half a Loaf of Kung Fu, Spiritual Kung Fu, The Fearless Hyena, and Fearless Hyena II, as well as an alternative English-dubbed track for Fearless Hyena II, and modern English-dubbed versions of The Young Master and My Lucky Stars.

• Revised: Hong Kong cinema expert and producer Frank Djeng (known for “Enter the Clones of Bruce”) provides new audio commentaries for “The Fearless Hyena” and “The Young Master.”

• Conversation with writer Grady Hendrix (This Hands Smash Stones) about performer-filmmaker Jackie Chan.

• Interviews from the past with Chan, filmmaker-actor Sammo Hung, performers Michiko Nishiwaki and Hwang In-shik, and others.

• The Young Master promo reel from the 1980 Cannes Film Festival and deleted scenes from the film

• In 2005, Hong Kong cinema expert Paul Fonoroff was interviewed about the work of producer-director Lo Wei.

• NG shots from The Young Master and My Lucky Stars
• Trailers
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  New translations for subtitles in English:

• Additionally, included is an essay written by critic Alex Pappademas.