WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Year Of The Dragon
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 12 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Mickey Rourke, John Lone, Tracey Tzu.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 3
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MGM Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): ML105115
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $$49.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 136
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1985
(LD Release Date): 12/1/94
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Michael Cimino
(Screenplay/Written By): Oliver Stone & Michael Cimino
(Story): NA
(Music): David Mansfield
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Wolf Kroeger
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Francoise Bonnot
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Dino De Laurentiis

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): J-D-C Scope
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A & 70mm 6 Track Dolby
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Year Of The Dragon is based on the novel by Robert Daley and stars Mickey Rourke in an explosive performance as police detective Captain Stanley White who is determined to clean up the streets of New York’s Chinatown. The criminal organization Triad, who runs the underground there, has been taken over by a ruthless new godfather, Joey Tai, (John Lone) intent on taking over the lucrative drug trade. In the ensuing battle the streets run red with the blood of his enemies. Captain White, with the help of a beautiful news reporter (Tracy Tzu), wages his own private battle with Tai which culminates in a final confrontation.

LaserDisc Picture:
The 2.35:1 anamorphic scope frame has been preserved with excellent full saturated color and contrast. There was a 70mm blowup. Blacks are deep and the overall quality is sharp and detailed, however the picture is marred by apparent artifacts, grain and noise.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
This is a rather conventional soundtrack wanting in dynamics and fidelity. Essentially it is a monaural presence punctuated by the stereo music score and the occasional directional sound effect.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: