Review: Running Out Of Time Collection (1999- 2001) {Arrow Video Blu-ray}

To the American film fan Johnnie To is a name they would have no clue about. But he has been making crime dramas ever since the 1990s. Many film fans consider his films as great pieces of cinema, even though for Americans they are foreign films.

In 1999 he brought the world one of his best films entitled, Running out of Time. Because of that films success he would bring the world the sequel Running out of Time 2. Now Arrow Video is giving this double feature a deluxe Blu-ray release.

Our Rating System:
****=Don’t Miss it!
***=Worth a look.
**=An OK way to spend an evening.
*=You haven’t missed anything.

Running Out Of Time (1999) Police inspector Ho Sheung-Sang finds himself in a 72 hour game by a criminal suffering with cancer, who is out for vengeance on Hong Kong's crime Syndicates. ***

Running Out Of Time 2 (2001) Ho Sheung Sang gets wrapped up in another cat-and-mouse game, this time against a tricky magician. **

Johnnie To's double feature has all the action and all the drama that crime film fans desire. But as a little bonus there is a little bit of humor sprinkled in to give it a good balance. For some having to read the subtitles are a problem. Well, these two films have been dubbed in English. These dubs have been included on this Blu-ray set.

These two films have been transferred in High Definition in 1080p. Both films have been scanned and restored in 2K. The soundtrack options are the original lossless Cantonese and Mandarin 5.1 audio options, plus lossless English mono (Running Out of Time) and lossless English 5.1 (Running Out of Time 2). Finally there is the option for English subtitles, newly revised for this release.

These new 2K scans look and sound amazing. But the best part for me is the English dubs. I enjoy the old Godzilla movies with the dubs. And it is cool to see these type of dubs here.

Now in addition to newly restored films on Blu-ray This Blu-ray includes a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Lucas Peverill. And for the FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing on the films by David West. Than there is a boatload of on disc bonuses take a look at what is included.

DISC 1 - RUNNING OUT OF TIME

* Brand new audio commentary by Hong Kong film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)

* Audio commentary by writers Laurent Cortiaud and Julien Carbon, moderated by Hong Kong film expert Stefan Hammond

* Archival interview with screenwriters Julien Carbon and Laurent Courtiaud

* Archival interview with director Johnnie To

* Archival interview with star Lau Ching-wan

* Archival interview with composer Raymond Wong

* The Director's Overview of Carbon and Courtiaud, an archive featurette

* Theatrical trailer

* Image gallery

DISC 2 - RUNNING OUT OF TIME 2

* Brand new audio commentary by Hong Kong film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)

* The Making of 'Running Out of Time 2', an archive featurette

* Hong Kong Stories, a 52-minute documentary from 2003 by director Yves Montmayeur about Hong Kong cinema mythology via Julien Carbon and Laurent Courtiaud's experience as writers in the HK film industry, working for Wong Kar-wai, Tsui Hark and Johnnie To

* Theatrical trailer

* Image gallery

So as you can see Arrow Video really went above and beyond for this set. From the audio commentaries filled with great information, to the great documentaries and featurettes, this set will keep the viewer entertained for days.

If you are a fan of crime dramas this new Arrow Video 2 disc Blu-ray set of Running Out of Time 1 and 2 is one you are going to want to add to your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Arrow Videos Blu-ray release of Running Out Of Time Collection receives...