View Full Version : So Close (Korean R3)
So Close - Korean (R3)
Picture - 1.85: 1 Anamorphic - Excellent clean print
Sound - Chinese Cantonese & Mandarin http://www.iam.ono.btinternet.co.uk/dvdforums/dd.gif - excellent use of surround sound.
English Subtitles - Perfect - made for the Western market.
Menus - In English - functional but stylish
Special Features - Theatrical Trailers for the film, Charlies Angels 1 & 2 and another HK film.
Although this is the Korean Disc I pretty much guarantee that the HK (R3) and the eventual USA (R1) will be identical to this DVD. It is a Columbia Tristar disc and has all the production values of their USA releases.
Summary
Shu Qui and Vicki Zhao-Wei play sisters who are also assassins hired by an evil corporate type to kill various opponents who stand in his way. They use high tech satellite technology to always put them one step ahead of the opposition until, of course, they come up against Karen Mok who plays the talented rookie cop who tracks them down.
Things go wrong for the sisters when Shu Qui decides to give up the day job and marry her boyfriend. Their employer is not happy and decides that it is time the hunters became the hunted.
The film is full of great set pieces including the fantastic opening hit where Shu Qui takes on a whole bunch of henchmen to the strains of Close to You by the Carpenters. (Very similar to the Over the Rainbow scene from Face Off). The fights are generally well done and it is always fun to see some good looking chicks kick ass. :norty:
Director Corey Yuen has also included a bit of female bonding between the sisters and, dare I say it, strong indication of Lesbianism towards the later half of the film! :eek: This film is pretty much action all the way and the absolutely gorgeous Vicki (see below) along with Google favourite Shu Qui make this film sooooo easy on the eye. The constant use of vests and hot pants adds immensely in pepping up the duller bits. :norty:
Verdict
The web buzz on this film has been very good and I can see why. It is emminetly watchable no brainer stuff which is both stylish and surprising in parts. I have no hesitation in recommending this film to, not only fans of the HK Chick Flix like Naked Killer but also to anyone looking for a solid piece of entertainment from the Far East.
Ono gives it 7 out of 10 - possibly destined to become a cult classic :thumbs:
http://www.iam.ono.btinternet.co.uk/dvdforums/soclose1.jpg
Shu Qui - the girl loves to show her body
http://www.iam.ono.btinternet.co.uk/dvdforums/soclose2.jpg
Vicki in peril
http://www.iam.ono.btinternet.co.uk/dvdforums/soclose3.jpg
Vicki - no longer in peril
Ono's Babe watch
Vicki Zhao Wei has always been a favourite of mine and she looks absolutely stunning in parts of this film. The only other film I have with her in is Shaolin Soccer where she is either covered with makeup or a slaphead! This film has put her up a few notches in Ono's Top 10 Babes list. She gets 8.5 out of 10.
Shu Qui. Well, what can I add about Shu Qui that you haven't heard or seen before?! :norty: She's pretty and has one of the fittest bodies around but having seen so much of her, some would say, the hole of her, in the past :suspect: I find it difficult to get excited about her these days. Still, I wouldn't say "No" .6 out of 10
Karen Mok - Ugly. Nuff said. 2 out of 10.
bruce-leroy
21-02-2003, 01:02
Nice review Ono. :thumbs: I didn't enjoy it as much as you, but I still want to get the dvd at some point.
I thought the plot was weak as hell - nothing about it ever felt believable, and the wire assisted "Matrix-esque", slo mo choreography, doesn't work as well in a non fantasy or period film. Some of the hi-tech computer scenes also seemed much too far fetched. However, this is coming from someone who loved Charlies Angels! :D I thought the sword fight at the end was pretty cool, and its nice to see Yusaki Kuruta (the man must be immortal as he doesn't seem to get old) in the movie. The fact that Shi Qui and Zhao Wei look so damn hot throughout the movie outweighs the flaws, and that is why I am still going to buy the dvd. :norty:
Finally, can you tell if the Cantonese track sounded post dubbed (especially with regards to Shi Qui and Vicky)? I have the vcd, and it is post dubbed. I expect the track on the dvd to be the same, but just wanted to check out of curiousity. :)
Originally posted by bruce-leroy
Finally, can you tell if the Cantonese track sounded post dubbed (especially with regards to Shi Qui and Vicky)? I have the vcd, and it is post dubbed. I expect the track on the dvd to be the same, but just wanted to check out of curiousity. :)
I was going to mention this. Shu Qui and Vicki are both dubbed into Cantonese and it is painfully obvious. In fact, when I first started watching this I wasn't sure which soundtrack was the original one until I heard Karen Mok speak in Cantonese.
AFAIK the two Mainland birds are the only ones dubbed.
wong fei hong
21-02-2003, 01:13
It sounds like a good laugh, and I have the dvd on order - but why the downer on Karen Mok, Ono? She's hardly ugly... :confused:
bruce-leroy
21-02-2003, 01:16
Originally posted by wong fei hong
It sounds like a good laugh, and I have the dvd on order - but why the downer on Karen Mok, Ono? She's hardly ugly... :confused:
On her own, she is not bad. But next to Vicky and Shi Qui, she's not in the same league. :p :D
Originally posted by wong fei hong
Karen Mok, Ono? She's hardly ugly... :confused:
I find her *very* ugly (not as bad as her turn in God of Cookery though) - but she does have some very stiff competition in the film. :norty:
wong fei hong
21-02-2003, 01:19
You dirty lech, Ono. :nono:
:lol:
bruce-leroy
21-02-2003, 01:21
was going to mention this. Shu Qui and Vicki are both dubbed into Cantonese and it is painfully obvious. In fact, when I first started watching this I wasn't sure which soundtrack was the original one until I heard Karen Mok speak in Cantonese.
AFAIK the two Mainland birds are the only ones dubbed.
The Korean actor (Shi Qui's fella) is also dubbed. I'm not sure if Yusaki Kuruta is dubbed or not. I am suprised about Shi Qui as her Cantonese has improved a lot these days.
bruce-leroy
21-02-2003, 01:23
Karen Mok looked alright in King of Comedy and Black Mask, but in So Close she does tend to resemble a distant relation of Ruud Van Nistelroy.
Erm, Ono, she was supposed to be ugly in God of Cookery. :lol:
Originally posted by bruce-leroy
The Korean actor (Shi Qui's fella) is also dubbed. I'm not sure if Yusaki Kuruta is dubbed or not. I am suprised about Shi Qui as her Cantonese has improved a lot these days.
Didn't really notice (or care) about the male actors. :D
Shu Qui normally has a high pitched whine (per Gorgeous), here it's a low sexy fluent Cantonese voice. Not hers.
I need to sleep now. Vicki is waiting for me ........... in my dreams.
:norty:
Originally posted by bruce-leroy
Erm, Ono, she was supposed to be ugly in God of Cookery. :lol:
I know that, but the makeup peeps had an easy time of it though. :noid:
bruce-leroy
21-02-2003, 01:28
Shu Qui. Well, what can I add about Shu Qui that you haven't heard or seen before?! :norty: She's pretty and has one of the fittest bodies around but having seen so much of her, some would say the hole of her, in the past :suspect: I find it difficult to get excited about her these days. Still, I wouldn't say "No" .6 out of 10
:norty: I still get very excited. :norty: 10 out of 10
bruce-leroy
21-02-2003, 01:32
Originally posted by Ono
Didn't really notice (or care) about the male actors. :D
Shu Qui normally has a high pitched whine (per Gorgeous), here it's a low sexy fluent Cantonese voice. Not hers.
Not anymore she doesn't. Her Cantonese is good now.
I think she could have pulled it off (well I wouldn't mind :norty: )
Having slept on it, I have now revised my score for the movie along with my views on Vicki.
:noid:
Splinter
21-02-2003, 11:27
Thanks for the review Ono, I managed to see a bit of the fight between Mok and Qui when they're hadcuffed and I'm not sure if I my type of action movie - thought it was a tad cheesy. But this coming from someone who despises Charlies Angels so I guess that didn't help.
Anyway I still may look into it on DVD as I hear the first action scene is good- I've just got to stock up on all the korean recommendations in the other thread first!
trickydicky2
21-02-2003, 14:45
I agree with Wong Fei Hong ....
You are a dirty letch Ono......:D
Originally posted by trickydicky2
I agree with Wong Fei Hong ....
You are a dirty letch Ono......:D
:norty: :norty: :norty:
Cirrus888
21-02-2003, 14:52
Shu Kei is from Taiwan whereas Vicki is from the mainland. Vicki doesn't know cantonese at all and Shu kei's canto is still heavily accented.
I'm surprise the HK DVD isn't out yet ...
I agree I could never understand why anyone would think Karen Mok is attractive ... in anyway ... Shu Kei and Vicki on the otherhand :norty:
dysfunction
21-02-2003, 14:52
Originally posted by trickydicky2
You are a dirty letch Ono......
That goes without saying...
:D
Cirrus888
21-02-2003, 15:02
http://members.tripod.co.uk/cirrus888/Babes3/cm23.jpg
http://members.lycos.co.uk/cirrus888/Movies/vicki_003_1024sm.jpg
LOL Cirrus.
How about posting some of Shu Qui's more notorious pictures then? :norty: :D
unrealnils
21-02-2003, 20:58
Originally posted by Ono
[b]http://www.ono.barrysworld.net/forums/soclose1.jpg
Looks like the Smallville chick in that pic ,
either way very :norty:
Originally posted by unrealnils
Looks like the Smallville chick in that pic ,
No way! Kirsten Kreuk is waaaaaaayyyyy better than Shu Qui.
unrealnils
21-02-2003, 22:31
Yes she is , i rate her as one of the top 5 but in that pic it does look like Kirsten Kreuk :|
unrealnils
21-02-2003, 22:32
Or maybe i just wanna see Kirsten Kreuk :norty: :clap: :dork:
bruce-leroy
22-02-2003, 01:41
Originally posted by Cirrus888
I'm surprise the HK DVD isn't out yet ...
The HK dvd came out 20th February. Its available to order at dddhouse.
bruce-leroy
06-03-2003, 00:29
For anyone who is interested, if you want to hear Shi Qui and Vicky Zhao undubbed and in synch sound, watch the movie with the Mandarin track and English subs. Apparently, it is better than the Cantonese track, as Shi Qui and Vicky deliver their lines with their real voices in Mandarin (for added authenticity).
Here is a review from Under the Brooklyn Bridge site:
http://brns.com/pages4/hsu27.html
2 out of 10 indeed.
But she is very ugly though. :| :D
wong fei hong
18-03-2003, 02:42
I watched this the other night and while I enjoyed it, it is one of the most spectacularly empty films I've ever seen - and as a fan of Hong Kong films, that's saying something.
It has virtually no plot, the 'character' scenes with Shu Qi and her long-lost fella were hollow and tiresome, and some of the effects were laughable (several cgi shots of breaking glass fail miserably).
And yet...
The action is thick and fast, it's exciting, some special effects are really amazing and all three leading ladies are excellent. The ending battle with Yasuaki Kurata is absolutely fantastic, with some of the best and most inventive choreography I've seen for ages. Corey Yuen does great with the action, but the rest of the film is suspect at best.
See it for the purty laydeez, see it for the scraps, but don't see it for the screenplay or the plot - even by action film standards, they are awful.
bruce-leroy
18-03-2003, 10:24
Originally posted by wong fei hong
I watched this the other night and while I enjoyed it, it is one of the most spectacularly empty films I've ever seen - and as a fan of Hong Kong films, that's saying something.
It has virtually no plot, the 'character' scenes with Shu Qi and her long-lost fella were hollow and tiresome, and some of the effects were laughable (several cgi shots of breaking glass fail miserably).
And yet...
The action is thick and fast, it's exciting, some special effects are really amazing and all three leading ladies are excellent. The ending battle with Yasuaki Kurata is absolutely fantastic, with some of the best and most inventive choreography I've seen for ages. Corey Yuen does great with the action, but the rest of the film is suspect at best.
See it for the purty laydeez, see it for the scraps, but don't see it for the screenplay or the plot - even by action film standards, they are awful.
I think that sums it up.
Why don't they use normal fake glass? It's probably cheaper than cgi, and looks better!
megatron
21-03-2003, 01:34
Vicky Zhao = :thumbs:
Shu Qi = :norty:
Karen Mok = :gag:
Originally posted by megatron
Vicky Zhao = :thumbs:
Shu Qi = :norty:
Karen Mok = :gag:
:D
dysfunction
21-03-2003, 09:03
Originally posted by Ono
:D
You should be on your way to work!!!
megatron
21-03-2003, 20:55
dysfunction, are you ono's boss?
Well...............i saw this the other night and i thought the swordfight at the end was one of the best fight coreographed (sp) scenes i have ever seen........so real:eek: all in all a very good film with well fit Ladies:D
Originally posted by megatron
dysfunction, are you ono's boss?
No way hosay.
megatron
08-04-2003, 12:28
I'm no hosay, gringo.
Whats the best way for me to get my hands on this film then?
Splinter
08-04-2003, 17:40
Best place is from CD-Wow for £12.99. DDDhouse are out of stock.
Hmm, £12.99 , is that the cheapest around then. I take it, its only out on Region 3?
Splinter
08-04-2003, 19:14
It's a pretty good price really as if you buy it from various other HK retailers you're adding on postage. Order it from the CD-Wow HK site and it's the best price you're gonna find.
VCD is also available at half that price. It's in fullscreen though, so it's not ideal but it's the cheapest way to see the film.
It has also been released in Australia! :)
Even has Swedish subs (woho!)
Language: Cantonese (5.1), English (5.1), Russian (5.1)
Screen Format: Widescreen (1.85:1/16:9 enhanced)
Subtiltes: English, English Caption, Greek, Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Swedish, Turkish
angel_eyes
09-04-2003, 17:09
Does anyone else think Karen Mok looked pretty hot as one of the handsome dragons in Shaolin Soccer (no jokes about lady boys please :D )
Vicki on the other hand is nice, but the bridge on her nose is really wide and reminds me of Star Trek sharacter :lol:
Just noticed that Corey Yuen also directed recent hit The Transporter also starring Shu Qui - which is a pretty good film :dork:
Originally posted by Ono
Just noticed that Corey Yuen also directed recent hit The Transporter also starring Shu Qui - which is a pretty good film :dork:
Corey does a lot of stuff, especially with Jet Li. He choreographed the action in Kiss Of The Dragon which I thought was a damn fine film, apart from the really crappily edited fight scenes :mad:
bruce-leroy
29-04-2003, 19:18
Having first watched So Close on vcd, I have today watched (well half so far) the dvd. Superb quality, esp. the 5.1 sound. :thumbs: The Mandarin track is sooooo much better than the Cantonese one too! :)
Originally posted by bruce-leroy
The Mandarin track is sooooo much better than the Cantonese one too! :)
Is it? I may have to revisit the film in Mandarin then. :D
bruce-leroy
29-04-2003, 19:45
Originally posted by Ono
Is it?
Its not a crap Cantonese dub for Shi Qui and Vicky Zhao (the Mandarin dub features their real voices as far as I can tell). Any excuse to revist the film. :norty:
rumbletum
30-04-2003, 20:57
Yeah, I've seen the movie in both Cantonese and Mandarin, and the mandarin soundtrack sounded so much better to my (untrained) ears.
But, to be honest, it could be dubbed in russian in mono and I wouldn't care if I was watching those two young ladies on screen :norty:
unrealnils
20-05-2003, 17:34
Warning rude picsof Shi Qui................
Ono will be pleased
:norty:
http://www.starfigures.com/chineseidols/shuqi/shuqi007.jpg
http://www.starfigures.com/chineseidols/shuqi/shuqi030.jpg
Hmmm, Nils mate - I dunno if they are within the boundaries of the T&Cs.
Maybe just. :norty:
bruce-leroy
20-05-2003, 17:47
Cue Nils banning. :lol: :norty:
unrealnils
20-05-2003, 17:48
what warning rude pics then hyperlinking should be okay right ??:suspect:
It depends on whether or not they are seen as pr0n or not. (I don't think they are).
Anyway - I've seen far <s>worse</s> better of Shu Qui. :nuts:
jonathan.e
21-05-2003, 07:54
Arse!:nuts:
Cheeky! :lol:
I bought this film on Ono's recommendation and I'm glad I did. :thumbs: I wasn't overly keen on Charlie's Angels or even The Transporter but while the plot was absolute cobblers the choreography was amazing and another :thumbs: for the final sword sequence!
Erm, the bit where Karen Mok lets her hair down: was that a stylistic touch or to hide the fact that it was a double in the swordfight?
charlie angel
27-05-2003, 08:28
Watched last night - very enjoyable romp I thought; some fab set-pieces & the sisters are very easy on the eye (always helps).
Other than being an action flick with female leads, it didn't remind me of Charlie's Angels at all (despite numerous comparisons being made) - it was infinitely more fun for a start :)
This is getting a R2 release on 19th January if anyone is interested. :D
bruce-leroy
03-01-2004, 00:56
Someone on another forum said the English dub/audio track on the R1 version is quite decent. What's more, it is apparently a better 5.1 track than the Mandarin and Cantonese 5.1 tracks on the R3 versions.
I would have huge problems watching an English dub of this film.
bruce-leroy
03-01-2004, 01:17
Maybe the R2 version will be a straight port of the R1?
City Hunter
04-01-2004, 18:22
The R2UK DVD will have no Mandarin dub iirc.
Hunter. :)
richardp
05-02-2004, 12:35
I've just received the HK version of this today, I'm looking forward to watching it now :) I've gone on a bit of a Vicky Zhao spending spree in recent times :luv:
SheepDip
05-02-2004, 20:21
You know it makes sense:)
Hot chicks kicking ass.
richardp
06-02-2004, 00:43
Well that was entertaining :) I found myself flicking between the Cantonese and Mandarin track a lot though, Vicki and Shu Qi sounded so much better without the dub. I think you lot are been a little harsh on Karen Mok though, fair enough her face might not all that but her body was the right shape, I bet most of you wouldn't kick her out of the bed :nuts:
I agree with the general consenus on this film it was very entertaining if not the best film I've ever seen, I can't bring myself to get rid of any Vicky Zhao films at the moment but maybe I'll shift this on in the future. I just wish Shu Qui had lasted a little longer in it :lol:
Plot 2/10 :suspect:
Entertainment 8/10 :thumbs:
Hot looking Chicks 9.5/10 :luv: :norty: :nono: :p
bruce-leroy
06-02-2004, 12:16
Originally posted by richardp
Plot 2/10 :suspect:
Entertainment 8/10 :thumbs:
Hot looking Chicks 9.5/10 :luv: :norty: :nono: :p
Are you Ono in disguise? :lol: ;)
Just saw this and liked it quite a bit. My interest waned though when Qi Shu dropped out of the picture. My god she is hot. What else has she been in that is good? (definition of good being either a film that is good, or her with not much on :))
Aardvark_DK
19-06-2005, 07:56
What else has she been in that is good? (definition of good being either a film that is good, or her with not much on :))
I enjoyed the Jackie Chan flick Gorgeous. It's very silly though.
The Black Sheep Affair (aka. Another Meltdown) had some good fights.
Shu Qi looked fantastic in both, of course.
Moving to World Cinema & DVD Forum
Jimmyboy
19-06-2005, 13:38
Just saw this and liked it quite a bit. My interest waned though when Qi Shu dropped out of the picture. My god she is hot. What else has she been in that is good? (definition of good being either a film that is good, or her with not much on :))
The Eye 2
Viva Erotica
Beijing Rocks
Millennium Mambo
The Foliage
Sex and Zen 2
Gorgeous
All worth checking out.
Thanks.
I had a look at her filmography on IMDB but hardly any of them were available on DVD. Are they out on R3/6/0? Any good suppliers? Anyone selling? :)
Jimmyboy
19-06-2005, 13:48
Thanks.
I had a look at her filmography on IMDB but hardly any of them were available on DVD. Are they out on R3/6/0? Any good suppliers? Anyone selling? :)
Yes Asia sells all of the films I've listed on R3.
Thanks.
I had a look at her filmography on IMDB but hardly any of them were available on DVD. Are they out on R3/6/0? Any good suppliers? Anyone selling? :)
http://www.layoyo.com.hk/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?style=1&prrfnbr=3243955&prmenbr=152&CGRY_NUM=251&LANGUAGE=1&Supplier=&curr=USD
http://www.layoyo.com.hk/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?style=1&prrfnbr=627&prmenbr=152&CGRY_NUM=251&LANGUAGE=1&Supplier=&curr=USD
http://www.layoyo.com.hk/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?style=1&prrfnbr=685060&prmenbr=152&CGRY_NUM=251&LANGUAGE=1&Supplier=&curr=USD
http://www.layoyo.com.hk/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?style=1&prrfnbr=906270&prmenbr=152&CGRY_NUM=251&LANGUAGE=1&Supplier=&curr=USD
http://www.layoyo.com.hk/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?style=1&prrfnbr=3166902&prmenbr=152&CGRY_NUM=251&LANGUAGE=1&Supplier=&curr=USD
http://www.dddhouse.com/dddhouse/en/index.jsp?action=productDetail&productID=527
Jimmyboy
19-06-2005, 14:09
Not much on today Woo? ;)
Not much on today Woo? ;)
Just trying to be a helpful soul (and the animated batman film isnt on tv until 4pm :D )
And you were very helpful mr woo, thank you. I take it that is a reasonable supplier? Any trouble with customs if I order the lot?
[Edit - the DVD prices are great but the shipping is going to cost more than the DVDs!]
And you were very helpful mr woo, thank you. I take it that is a reasonable supplier? Any trouble with customs if I order the lot?
[Edit - the DVD prices are great but the shipping is going to cost more than the DVDs!]
That is admittedly the only sticking point, as even if the price of the dvds are cheaper customs might take a notion and charge you anyway.
As a supplier they are great, ordered many times and never had any problems. It might be worth taking a look at yesasia and see how there overall price compares, as you get free shipping if you were to order them all in one go and they are customs friendly.
vBulletin® v3.7.0, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.