Search - Year of the Dragon on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity Movie Release: 1985 DVD Release: 05/31/2005 Format: DVD - Letterbox for TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 14 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Action, Crime, Action Thriller, Police Detective Film

Best known for his 1978 film The Deer Hunter or perhaps the less-successful Heaven's Gate, director Michael Cimino turned to this fast-paced actioner set in an authentic (back lot) Chinatown. This thriller stars a rogue Polish-American cop (Mickey Rourke) out to not only keep Chinatown safe for the local consumers, but to dismantle its deep-rooted crime and drug cartels as well. No one backs the crusading cop in the latter objective, and as he faces a suave and wily crime boss (John Lone of The Last Emperor) and a libidinous newscaster (Ariane), he may be taking on more than he can handle. At least his wife thinks so, and the guys at City Hall think so -- but mayhem and murder will strew the streets with corpses before the smoke clears and the dust settles, and a vague, unresolved future sets in. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Mickey Rourke - Stanley White
John Lone - Joey Tai
Ariane - Tracy Tzu
Leonard Termo - Angelo Rizzo
Ray Barry - Louis Bukowski

Michael Cimino's Year of the Dragon finally makes its way to DVD in this fine edition from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. Highlighted by a commentary track from the reclusive director, the disc also boasts a new remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack along with the original theatrical trailer. Presented with an anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen picture, the film's grain has been kept intact, though seasoned home theater critics might fault the disc with some shimmering issues in the otherwise acceptable picture transfer. Cimino's commentary is a treat as he pours through stories of dancing in Chinatown clubs with co-writer Oliver Stone to being wined and dined by actual members of the Triad gangs. Through it all, the director presents an informative take on the production and of himself, delving into his particular style of filmmaking that unfortunately was taken through the ringer after the debacle of Heaven's Gate. Though it's not packed full of extras with some kind of splashy holographic cover, this release of Year of the Dragon is still a quality DVD that's worth picking up. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide