Fallen Angels

Finally arriving on U.S. video three years after its completion, Wong Kar-wai's earlier picture has got energy in spades: frame for vivid frame, this is the most visually arresting picture of the year, and maybe last year, and probably next. Shot almost entirely with wide-angle lenses, and employing jump cuts far more creatively than most Godard wannabes, it's a dazzling, vertiginous, freewheeling affair--a cinematic roller-coaster ride that doesn't feel the least bit mechanical. A pity, then, that its characters and situations are so familiar; turns out that its story was originally intended for inclusion in Wong's terrific Chungking Express (1994), but was cut during production because he decided that the movie was getting too long. Fallen Angels, which features more lovelorn urban misfits and obstinately stoic yearning, might have worked as a third part of a Chungking triptych, but on its own is both disappointingly slight and absurdly bloated. Paradoxically, however, it's both redundant and essential: if you've seen Chungking, you've basically already seen it--but you've gotta see it again. (Barely) recommended. (M. D'Angelo)[DVD Review—Mar. 17, 2009—Kino, 96 min., in Cantonese w/English subtitles, not rated, $29.95—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1995's Fallen Angels features a great transfer and 5.1 surround sound. DVD extras include three behind-the-scenes featurettes: “Only You,” “Whom You Miss,” and “A Beautiful Evening” (16 min. total), as well as an interview with cinematographer Christopher Doyle (8 min.), a stills gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a solid Wong film.][Blu-ray Review—Feb. 16, 2010—Kino, 96 min., in Cantonese w/English subtitles, not rated, $29.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1995's Fallen Angels features a nice transfer and a 5.1 DTS-HD soundtrack. Blu-ray extras are identical to those on the standard DVD release, including three behind-the-scenes featurettes: “Only You,” “Whom You Miss,” and “A Beautiful Evening” (16 min. total), as well as an interview with cinematographer Christopher Doyle (8 min.), a stills gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray debut for this popular Wong film.]