Sonny Chiba Action Pack (DVD, 2006, 3-Disc Set)

This DVD includes nice-quality dual layer discs of VIRUS, GOLGO 13, and BULLET TRAIN. VIRUS is flawless - the full Japanese version, in beautiful quality which finally allows one to appreciate the expensive Antarctic location photography. An excellent, if uneven post-apocalyptic film, which is by turns staggeringly depressing and tearfully uplifting. Great cast too (though Chiba is in a very minor role as a random scientist). Not really an action movie - but a very good, arresting, and semi-plausable end of the world drama.

BULLET TRAIN is what SPEED was a remake of, with a bomb on a Japanese train set to go off if the train goes under 80 Kph. Some good suspense, but the bad guys actually come across as more sympathetic than the heroes. This DVD version is unfortunately cut by 20 minutes... and the English dubbing is horrible. Chiba's barely in the film either.

GOLGO 13 actually has Chiba in an action part, but the film is low-budget, silly, and often quite dull. The English dubbed version is in horrible audio quality and (very) out of sync, making the dubbing sound even worse than it already did! However, it is nicely uncut and in good picture quality (though not as good as the other two).

The only extras included are trailers (mostly of the STREET FIGHTER series) for other Chiba action movies spread out over the 3 DVD's. Overall a good bang for the buck.