Ping Pong and Shaolin Soccer - which versions?

[SithLordSi]

I'd like to pick up the Japanese movie Ping Pong, but there are two versions available at YesAsia.com: a Hong Kong version and a Japanese 2-Disc release. Has anyone seen either release, and would care to comment on the quality? I'm pretty sure that the Japanese would be the one to go for, but just thought I'd check before splashing out.

Also, I already have the R3 DTS release of Shaolin Soccer, but I'm unhappy with a number of things, namely: the icons that appear throughout the film; the overcropping on all sides, which fequently cuts off the tops of people's heads; and, while they are amusing, the dodgy subtitles. I hear that the Korean release is identical in every way, but rectifies the icon problem. Furthermore, there appears to be a Japanese release, but it probably doesn't have english subtitles. The French R2 looks fantastic (the PQ looks far better) but does anyone know if it has english subtitles? Finally, the VCD appears to contain the correct framing (and doesn't feature the icons), but does anyone know what the PQ and subtitles are like?

If anyone could post screenshots from any of the versions listed above, I would be very grateful!

[Randal_Graves]

From the Ping Pong R3 Release, which is my brothers and I haven't watched so can't really comment.

http://www.btinternet.com/~crapwebpages/chris/pingpong1.jpg

http://www.btinternet.com/~crapwebpages/chris/pingpong2.jpg

http://www.btinternet.com/~crapwebpages/chris/pingpong3.jpg

http://www.btinternet.com/~crapwebpages/chris/pingpong4.jpg

http://www.btinternet.com/~crapwebpages/chris/pingpong5.jpg

[KeyserSoze]

i have the HK release of Ping Pong and the quality is excellent !!

the picture anamorphic and looks very crisp.

also has DTS sound, but i dont have HC, so i cant comment.

[Paul490]

Originally posted by SithLordSi
Also, I already have the R3 DTS release of Shaolin Soccer, but I'm unhappy with a number of things, namely: the icons that appear throughout the film; the overcropping on all sides, which fequently cuts off the tops of people's heads; and, while they are amusing, the dodgy subtitles. I hear that the Korean release is identical in every way, but rectifies the icon problem.

Here's information I picked up -

The South Korean release doesn't have English subtitles for the extra scenes and I believe you have to press the Enter button every time the extra scenes become available. I think the South Korean release has one or two extra features over the Universe Hong Kong release.

The French release has far superior video quality but has forced French subtitles.

So the Hong Kong release of Shaolin Soccer is still the best way to go.

"You just look like a dog right" :nuts:

[Jimmyboy]

Originally posted by KeyserSoze
i have the HK release of Ping Pong and the quality is excellent !!

the picture anamorphic and looks very crisp.

also has DTS sound, but i dont have HC, so i cant comment. You sure it's anamorphic ?

[zantarous]

About Ping Pong on CD-WOW

If you liked shoalin soccer you'll love this

I wanna see this now. But they have it listed as non-anamorphic and it can be a problem zooming in with a film that has subs. Can anyone confirm this?

[megatron]

If you go in thinking it's like Shaolin Soccer, you'll be severly dissapointed. It's a far slower paced film, and concentrates more on the development of the characters.

[spoonman2]

Just phoned cd-wow, and the website is deffo` wrong, and it should say anamorphic. :)


Spoony.

[zantarous]

Is it a comedy at all? More importantly is it any good? I have started to get in to asian cinema of late, loved Shaolin, Infernal Affairs, Hero and Naked Weapon. Only downer has been So Close which I must get round to flogging.

[megatron]

zantarous - I wouldn't exactly call it a comedy. It's more of a drama IMO that has the odd bit of humour. Don't get me wrong, it's a pretty good film, but just don't go in thinking it's a laugh a minute action/comedy in the same vein as SS. BTW I'm interested in So Close if your thinking of selling/trading it. :)

[Solidstate]

I loved Shaolin Soccer
I disliked Ping Pong

Make of that what you will.

Shaolin Soccer is very much a Hong Kong Film
& Ping Pong is very much a Japanese film. Both are very much representative of their respective origin countries philosophies and cultures.

They are as different as chalk and crayons.

[megatron]

You mean chalk and cheese?;)

[KeyserSoze]

Originally posted by Jimmyboy
You sure it's anamorphic ?

yes DEFINATELY anamorphic :thumbs:

[Dagada]

Ping Pong is ace, and so is Shaolin Soccer. But - They are totally different films. PP has much more depth.....

[Jimmyboy]

Originally posted by KeyserSoze
yes DEFINATELY anamorphic :thumbs:

Doh!,
I've put off buying it ever since it's release coz I thought it was 2.35:1 letterboxed. :brickwall

;)

[KeyserSoze]

Ping Pong is ok

very entertaining, funny, moving

but comparing to others, its your typical todays-japanese/asian movie.

[zantarous]

Megatron email me, I am interested in a trade for So Close. Let me know what you are getting rid off. Bear in mind I have the Australian R4 version.

[megatron]

Originally posted by zantarous
Megatron email me, I am interested in a trade for So Close. Let me know what you are getting rid off. Bear in mind I have the Australian R4 version.

Does the R4 have the Mandarin track?

[zantarous]

Does the R4 have the Mandarin track?

No it has a 5.1 Cantonies and Russian mix

[megatron]

I'll give it a miss then.:)

[Barry Evil]

Originally posted by KeyserSoze
yes DEFINATELY anamorphic :thumbs:

I hate to contradict, but those grabs posted by Randal_Graves clearly show that the HK R3 release is NOT anamorphic. If the image was anamorphic, then at an image height of 480 pixels the image would appear elongated. The large black bars at the top and bottom in particular give the game away - the film OAR is 1.85:1, NOT 2.35:1.

Here's a grab from the Japanese R2 (which is anamorphic) for comparison (note, the image had to be re-sized vertically to this height to get it to display correctly, no borders were cropped)

<img src="http://www.aoth70.dsl.pipex.com/pingpong.jpg">

[KeyserSoze]

right i dont have the disc with me to test.


but i am pretty certain it is anamorphic !

ill get someone to test it.


EDIT:

i just got my bro to check it, it is definately anamorphic. But...

he was the one who bought it, and he says its a fake and is from mainland china !! :eek:

hmm so maybe mine is fake anamorphic or could be a copy of the japanese disc, but i doubt it the menus are in chinese and looked exactly like the menu shot on the 1st page. The picture looked damn fine though :confused:

sorry if i mislead you peeps, jimmyboy, hope u havent ordered yet.

[SithLordSi]

I agree with Barry Evil. Those screenshots from the R3 look non-anamorphic to me. Plus, the picture looks a bit soft and lacking in detail, the contrast appears a little harsh, and the subtitles look a bit dodgy (not to mention poorly translated). This all compared to that Japanese R2 screenshot. I think I'll get the 2-disc release of Ping Pong, and stick with my R3 Hong Kong release of Shaolin Soccre for now. Cheers for the info!

[toot]

i have the legit R3 of Ping Pong, from CD-Wow. it's definatley not anamorphic, but the letter boxed picture is pretty good.

and from what i remember the subtitles weren't bad atall, and they stayed inside the picture, so you can zoom it in, if you see what i mean..

[zantarous]

Finally getting around to ordering this (along with My Sassy girl) does anyone know if this version is anamorphic http://global.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/pid-1002525905/did-0/code-j/section-videos/ ?

[Joober]

Moving to the World Cinema forum...

[Njål]

Finally getting around to ordering this (along with My Sassy girl) does anyone know if this version is anamorphic http://global.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/pid-1002525905/did-0/code-j/section-videos/ ?
No, the R3HK-release is not anamorphic.

[Mattvert11]

Thought I would bump this up to the top considering all the interest in Stephen Chows new movie ''Kung Fu Hustle''.

My question is as follows... Has anyone bought the new R3 Korean Ultimate Edition Shaolin Soccer?

I can't stand dodgy english subs, so I will not buy the HK R0. The American R1 has dubtitles, so that's also out of the question. I was wondering if this new R3 Korean version had decent english subs?
:help:
Anyone?

Cheers all. :thumbs:

[Moldiver]

The Japanese version of Ping Pong looks and sounds stunning. It wins hands down.
As for Shaolin Soccer get the HK release for the DTS but the Miramax version wins easy for picture quality and has a very good 5.1 mix.

[Mattvert11]

The Japanese version of Ping Pong looks and sounds stunning. It wins hands down.
As for Shaolin Soccer get the HK release for the DTS but the Miramax version wins easy for picture quality and has a very good 5.1 mix.
No news on the R3 Korean Ultimate Edition?
:?:

[padayachy3000]

Shaolin Soccer...

HK release
+Very cheap
+Has DTS
-Has mildly annoying icons that pop up in the corner (about 3 times) where you can press a button and view the scenes cut out of the theatrical release.
-Awful English subtitles

US (Miramax) release
+ All extra features have English subtitles (if there are any, can't remember)
+ Extra scenes are integrated into the main movie
- Only 5.1 surround sound
- Miramax added their cut of the movie on the same side of the DVD as the HK cut, so picture quality isn't as good as it could be.
- Subtitles are missing for some dialogue in the extended scenes.
- Have heard that the subtitles are infact dubtitles.

I guess we still have to wait for a definitive release with English subtitles :(

[Mattvert11]

You are all mentioning details already known.

Is there any news on wether the english subtitles on the new R3 Korean Ultimate edition are better, worse or the same as the HK R0 DTS release?

Perhaps one of you guys and gals has bought the release blind?

[Shingster]

Keep an eye on this thread (http://p088.ezboard.com/fhongkongdvdsreviews.showMessage?topicID=3500.topic) Matt, someone there has the r3k release and will post details on the set soon.

[Mattvert11]

Keep an eye on this thread (http://p088.ezboard.com/fhongkongdvdsreviews.showMessage?topicID=3500.topic) Matt, someone there has the r3k release and will post details on the set soon.
Cheers Shingster. Will do. :thumbs:

[Mattvert11]

Any news on wether the english subs on the UE Korean DVD are better then the old HK R0 disc?
Cd-wow have the UE for £11.99