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Yuen Biao
Cynthia Rothrock
Melvin Wong
Yuen Kwai
Wu Ma
Karen Shepard |
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Yuen Kwai
Yuen Biao
Meng Hoi |
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Szeto Cheuk
Barry Wong |
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Yuen Biao
Yuen Kwai |
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Yuen Kwai |
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| Righting Wrongs |
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| AKA : Above The Law |
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| Year : 1986 Reviewer : Tony Ryan |
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As mentioned in my review for 'Armour of God', Cynthia Rothrock turned down a part opposite Jackie Chan to play a larger role in this Yuen Biao action thriller. Biao plays a lawyer who takes the law into his own hands when the bad guys shoot a good friend of his outside the courthouse (hence the UK title 'Above The Law'). Rothrock plays an almost identical role to that of the earlier genre classic 'Yes, Madam'. Corey Yuen Kwai takes the action a step further than that in 'Yes, Madam', making Biao and Rothrock look better then ever in a number of impressive action sequences.
Biao's acrobatic talents are showcased magnificently as he flips, kicks, abseils and uses all available weapons (vases, axes and dead bodies!) in an attempt to punish the crimes of otherss.
This is the definitive Hong Kong action flick of the 80's, easily on a par with 'Police Story' and should take pride of place in any fan's collection. Also, if possible, get the 'Universe' DVD (see link on right) as this contains both versions of the film and the original language. |
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| Distributor : Universe |
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| Region : 0 (NTSC) |
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| Running Time : 96 mins |
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| Video : |
| This disc has two versions of the film split between the two sides. Side A contains the Cantonese version and side B has the Mandarin version. Both are letterboxed at 1.85:1 and are transferred exceptionally well. The usual damage is present on the print (most notably occurring in sections on the Cantonese version) but nothing distracting so this truly is the best way to own the film/s. |
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| Audio : |
| Side A contains Cantonese DD 5.1 surround sound with removable Chinese (traditional & simplified) and English subtitles. Side B contains Mandarin DD 5.1 surround sound with removable Chinese (traditional & simplified), English, Japanese, Bahasa (Indonesia & Malaysia), Thai, Korean and Vietnamese subtitles. |
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| Extras : |
- Talent files for Yuen Biao and Yuen Kwai are present on both sides
- The trailer for the film itself as well as previews for 'The Heroic Trio', 'Executioners' and 'The Young Master' |
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| Notes : |
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The Mandarin or international cut of the film runs at 1 hour 34 minutes whereas the Cantonese runs at 1 hour 32 minutes with several minor scene alterations between the two. The ending is perhaps the biggest difference as the Mandarin wraps things up Hollywood style whilst the Cantonese offers a more shocking conclusion. Both are worth watching though if only to see what the film makers felt would be more pleasing on the worldwide market alongside what the director originally intended. |
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