47 Ronin Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "47 Ronin" on Blu-ray primarily benefits from a remarkable 1080p/AVC-encoded 2D image that vividly brings to life director Rinsch and cinematographer Mathieson's natural, earthy visual palette. Primarily leaning towards darker color schemes and grittier textures, this approach enhances the film’s atmospheric storytelling. The Blu-ray exhibits stable contrast with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. This allows for gradationally satisfying scenes with well-defined whites and dynamic highlights. Images are characterized by intricate and definitive detail, adding appreciable dimension and texture, although a few soft instances can be noted.

In terms of 3D presentation, the 1080p/MVC MPEG-4 encode offers an inconsistent experience. While some action sequences are depicted with depth, smooth layering, and natural dimensionality, other scenes lack sufficient 3D pop, falling into a flat, layered "pop-up" look that barely justifies wearing glasses. Establishing shots of castles, forests, and vistas showcase the best of the 3D efforts, yet rapid action sequences often become muddled and confusing in this format.

Despite the 3D shortcomings, the overall video integrity remains high. Skin tones are realistic, colors—particularly in costuming and lighting—are vibrant, and black levels maintain a rich depth without crushing. The detail in clothing, facial features, sets, make-up, and CG elements is impressively rendered. Notably, no significant issues such as artifacting or banding are present. The video quality achieves a crisp, clean clarity that bolsters the visual storytelling even if the film’s narrative may not entirely align with the cinematic fidelity presented.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in "47 Ronin" offers an exceptional audio experience characterized by dynamic range and clarity. This soundtrack excels at utilizing the entire surround sound platform to drive the film's elements. The integration of the music score with both discrete and ambient sound effects plays a crucial role in creating an immersive auditory environment. Notably, the detection of subtle background sounds, off-camera cues, and the spatial dimension within the room's acoustic environment is impeccably executed. Low-frequency effects are robust, with the subwoofer dynamically conveying rich bass and impact during action sequences. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-balanced within the front soundstage, ensuring voices and effects are rendered with distinction.

The surround track delights in delivering a fully immersive soundfield, complete with complex directional cues and smooth pans. From the bold LFE output that enhances battles and chases to the nuanced environmental effects like bird chirping and rain pattering on various surfaces, the audio presentation is meticulously crafted. Rear speakers contribute to an all-encompassing experience with flying arrows, rising flames, and distant fights, effectively adding depth to the scenes. The dynamics of the audio are breathtaking, making each moment, whether serene or intense, come alive with vividness.

Ilan Eshkeri’s score furthers this effect with its grand composition and dynamic mixing, achieving true epic status that perfectly aligns with the film’s ambition. Despite the loud and fantastic music and effects, the vocal mix remains clean and discernible throughout. The overall effect is a masterful blend of sounds that ensures an engaging experience from start to finish.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "47 Ronin" offer a diverse and insightful look into the film's creation, though some features are more cursory than others. The content covers various aspects from character arcs, action sequences, and special effects to the historical context and modern adaptations in the filmmaking process. Keanu Reeves and director Carl Rinsch lead several discussions, providing valuable, albeit brief, perspectives on the movie's intricate elements. However, deleted scenes do not significantly contribute to the film’s narrative depth or character development.

Extras included on this disc:

• Keanu & Kai: Reeves and Rinsch discuss Kai’s character arc.
• Steel & Fury: The Fights of 47 Ronin: Focuses on training, swordplay, and battles.
• Myths, Magic & Monsters: Features on the fantastical beasts in the film.
• Re-Forging the Legend: Explains the historical story and its cinematic adaptation.
• Deleted Scenes: Four scenes cut from the main film.

"47 Ronin," starring Keanu Reeves, combines action-adventure with mythic fantasy. Set during Edo-era Japan, the plot follows 47 samurai avenging their master's dishonor, involving magical elements and epic battles. Despite a promising premise and significant production investments, including a $170 million budget and shooting in both English and Japanese, the film's execution falters. The script by Chris Morgan and Hossein Amini fails to coalesce into a coherent narrative, resulting in a fragmented film that struggles to balance its historical roots with fantastical elements. Mismanaged pacing and disjointed editing exacerbate this issue, making many scenes feel rushed and incoherent.

The film draws heavily from anime influences like "Ninja Scroll" and "Princess Mononoke" but does so inadequately, often rendering the magical encounters anticlimactic. Despite featuring visually stunning sequences—such as an early scene where Kai assists in slaying a giant beast—the film rarely maintains this level of excitement. Characters and action sequences that were prominent in trailers receive disappointingly brief screen time, diminishing their impact. Moreover, fantastical elements, such as the magical weapons, fail to significantly advance the plot, ultimately making their inclusion feel redundant.

Performances by Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, and Rinko Kikuchi are commendable, elevating the thin material they were given. Keanu Reeves brings depth to Kai’s character despite the movie's uneven tone. The cinematography is noteworthy, with vibrant visuals that accentuate the period setting. However, Carl Rinsch’s directorial debut exhibits numerous rookie errors, losing focus on storytelling fundamentals amid the pursuit of visual grandeur. The blend of genres results in a film aspiring for epic status but falling short due to its convoluted screenplay and lack of internal coherence. While visually arresting on occasion, "47 Ronin" ultimately fails to fulfill its lofty ambitions.

"47 Ronin" is an ambitious yet flawed film that, despite its potential, struggles to reach cinematic greatness. The visually rich narrative weaves a fantasy-infused tale based on true events, buoyed by a solid cast and striking style. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. Poor editing choices render the story ponderous, many scenes falling flat under the weight of a tightly confined runtime. Comparisons to ill-fated theatrical releases like "Kingdom of Heaven" spring to mind, where extended director's cuts could potentially unlock the film’s full potential.

Technical aspects of the Blu-ray deserve praise, especially the stellar video and audio performance in the 2D format. The picture quality is crisp and enhances the film’s artistic visuals, while the audio delivery is engaging and immersive. Unfortunately, the 3D experience falls short, suffering from uninspired depth and an overall flat experience. Supplementary features are minimal and lack substance, filling out the package without adding significant value.

In conclusion, "47 Ronin" on Blu-ray is a mixed bag. The film itself is worth a viewing for its stylistic merits and compelling cast. However, it will likely leave viewers contemplating what it could have been rather than appreciating what it is. Universal's Blu-ray presentation excels in 2D but disappoints in 3D and extras. Ultimately, it's a rental at best, with little incentive for permanent collection.