The tenth film co-directed by Johnnie To (Running Out of Time) and Wai Ka-fai (Peace Hotel) following a string of collaborations that included comedies, romances, action films and historical epics, Running on Karma is a crime thriller with a distinctly Buddhist flare starring a titan of Hong Kong cinema in Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs).
Big (Lau) was once a devoutly religious man, but turned away from his vocation as a Buddhist monk when he could no longer bear the weight of his unusual gift: the ability to see people’s past lives and predict the impact of karma upon their present and future. Having found a new life as a bodybuilder, he is drawn to use his sixth sense for good after meeting Lee Fung-yee (Cecilia Cheung, The Legend of Zu), a cop investigating a homicide. But as the two grow closer and work together to catch a murderer, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Big can see Lee’s past lives, too…
A film that balances genre thrills with deep philosophical questions on the nature of spirituality and faith, Running on Karma stands with Mad Detective as one of the most interesting and unique collaborations between Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time outside of Asia.
For thoughts on Running On Karma, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:
Video Quality
Running On Karma arrives on Blu-Ray via Eureka Entertainment with a 1080p master in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio derived from a brand new 2K restoration that looks quite nice. This film is a couple of decades more recent than a lot of the films from this label, and that reveals itself in the virtually pristine appearance free of nicks, scratches, and other forms of wear and tear. The presentation avoids issues of compression artifacts, banding, and other digital anomalies. The transfer is overall a bit soft which likely links back to the qualities of the source elements, yet there is still plenty of detail to be found in the makeup, costumes, and production design. The transfer looks natural throughout without filtering or DNR ruining the appearance. The grain resolves consistently with design elements and lighting choices. Black levels are a touchy raised yet reveal fine detail, and highlights hold firm. Eureka has treated this well.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray presents the film with an LPCM 2.0 stereo track in the original Cantonese with optional English subtitles. There is a good balance between the action-driven sequences and the more subdued investigative and character-driven moments. The film comes alive when it needs to land a punch. Dialogue is typically clear and easy to discern. The score does a great job of setting the tone of the narrative, and it comes through with excellent fidelity. There are no major signs of source deficiencies such as damage or audio dropouts. Eureka has provided a consistent sonic experience for fans.
Special Features
- Audio Commentaries: Two commentary tracks from film historians are provided in which they discuss the place of this film in Hong Kong action cinema, the careers of the talent involved, the cinematography of the film, the spiritual themes explored, the shooting locations, and more.
- Audio Commentary #1: East Asian film experts Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and F.J. DeSanto
- Audio Commentary #2: East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
- Reap The Whirlwind – Interview with Gary Bettinson: A new 25-minute interview with Gary Bettinson, editor-in-chief of Asian Cinema journal, in which he discusses the journey to this film, how it fits into the careers of the creative figures, the playful tone of the film, and more.
- Making Running On Karma: A 19-minute archival featurette from 2003 in which the cast and creative team discuss the production of the film.
- Trailer (1:18)
- Booklet: This release provides a 20-page bound booklet featuring the essay “The Burden of Hope: Untangling the Stylistic and Moral Knots of Running On Karma” by film historian David West.
Final Thoughts
Running On Karma is an equally bizarre and compelling outing from Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai and Andy Lau. Just when you think this might be somewhat conventional, you see Andy Lau and realize this movie is much more absurd than expected. There is a fun mix of action and spirituality that allows it to stand apart from many of its contemporaries. Eureka Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray featuring a worthwhile A/V presentation and a couple of supplements. Fans of Hong Kong cinema should have this on their list. Recommended
Running On Karma will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray on January 28, 2025.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Eureka Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
