Alien vs. Ninja Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Alien vs. Ninja" by Funimation features a 1080i resolution, employing the AVC codec within a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, and is locked to Region A. Considering its digital production origins, the resulting image quality is commendable in clarity and delineation. Notably, shadow details are surprisingly good, and reds exhibit significant punch. However, these strengths are overshadowed by the overall desaturated and monochromatic color scheme, rendering the visual output almost black and white under certain conditions.

Despite the artistic intentions behind the desaturation, other technical lapses cannot be overlooked. Skin tones display inconsistency, often appearing wan and lifeless under medium light sources, while bleach blonde hair fluctuates unnaturally in hue. Black levels are notably underwhelming, with sharpening and edge enhancement attempts leading to a flat and textureless image. Consequently, fine detail gets lost into muddiness, and noise becomes apparent, particularly during close-ups where fine lines exhibit shimmering artifacts. Although some brightness in sunny scenes reveals more detail, these moments are fleeting and insufficient to elevate the overall subpar presentation.

From a broader perspective, the video output of "Alien vs. Ninja" is clean, clear, and sharp, aligning with its high-definition digital source. However, the gray-heavy color palette results in an oddly pallid presentation that detracts from the viewing experience. Flesh tones shift towards a sickly gray appearance, forest scenes lack green vibrancy, and depth of field is minimal, contributing to an overall flat visual quality devoid of texture. In sum, while some aspects like certain close-ups and motion handling are handled reasonably well, the Blu-ray transfer struggles considerably with color fidelity and depth, resulting in an underwhelming visual experience.

The audio presentation of "Alien vs. Ninja" on Blu-ray provides two lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 tracks in both the original Japanese and an English dub. The review focuses mainly on the original Japanese track, which is recommended over the dub, especially for those comfortable with subtitles. The dialogue here is well-synchronized with lip movements, ensuring clear and crisp delivery. However, it's noted that the center channel does not elevate the vocal depth and timbre, leaving the dialogue somewhat flat though perfectly serviceable.

The strength of this audio presentation lies in its dynamic handling of action sequences—particularly the forest ninja battles. Sound effects such as whooshing swords and ninja throwing stars are frequently rendered through the surrounds, bringing an immersive experience to the audience. The pumping electro-pop score offers a variety of scenes from pounding to more subdued moments; despite some inconsistencies in maintaining levels, it adds a robust layer to the overall audio experience. The LFE channel is also well-utilized, providing a tangible depth to various sound effects.

An additional highlight is the use of rear channels to simulate the whirlwind of combat noises. Despite being somewhat generic and lacking in finesse, these effects successfully create an auditory environment that enhances the action-packed nature of the film. For an otherwise low-budget production, the soundtrack exceeds expectations, offering a robust and engaging audio experience that should satisfy most audiophiles.

The Blu-ray extras for "Alien vs. Ninja" offer a well-rounded look into the production, providing both insightful interviews and ample behind-the-scenes footage. The "Making of Alien vs. Ninja" featurette is a detailed 19-minute dive into the film's genesis, featuring director Seiji Chiba and action director discussing their creative inspirations and special effects techniques. This segment is enriched with on-set clips, adding substantial value for fans interested in the filmmaking process. Additionally, an original trailer is included, along with a preview of upcoming Funimation releases. These extras collectively enhance the viewing experience by offering a deeper understanding of the film's creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alien vs. Ninja – Making of: Insights from director Seiji Chiba and action director, interspersed with on-set footage.
• Original Trailer: Self-explanatory.
• Coming Soon: Preview of eight forthcoming Funimation Blu-ray titles.

"Alien vs. Ninja" is an unapologetically absurd spectacle brimming with outlandish characters, paradoxical humor, and over-the-top gore. From the start, it immerses viewers in a maelstrom of popped heads, catapulted limbs, and flopping entrails, all rendered in a charmingly lo-fi manner. This film is affectionate in its embrace of intentionally trashy aesthetics, embodying a chaotic thrill ride that intersects humor with relentless splatter. The Region A locked Blu-ray from Funimation does a reasonable job of managing the sometimes bewildering audiovisual landscape, though it mirrors the film's inherent low-budget constraints. The audio design compensates for its lack of subtlety by bombarding listeners with enough action to mask any deficiencies.

Technically, the film's visual execution marries live-action with primitive CGI, resulting in moments that verge on the ludicrously bad. The alien, when appearing in live-action sequences, dons a spandex lizard suit that is both hilarious and endearing. CGI scenes, like the alien's dinosaurian treetop traversal or its climactic blast into space with magically unfolding wings, offer pure, unintentional comedy gold. These elements might not impress CGI purists but provide ample fodder for viewers reveling in the film's cheerfully abysmal production values.

Directed by Seiji Chiba, "Alien vs. Ninja" revels in its absurdity, fully aware of its Grade-Z status and catering precisely to an audience craving such deliberate schlock. The film's self-awareness ensures that it never takes itself seriously—its strength lies in embracing the bounds of lunacy within its plot and execution. Between decapitated heads humorously defiled by crows and clumsy romantic undertones that dissolve into the background noise, this movie carves out a niche in what can best be described as the realm of cult splatter comedy. For fans of this unpretentious genre, the film delivers an enjoyably chaotic experience worthy of communal, maybe even theatrical, viewing.

Alien vs. Ninja presents a paradoxical mix of absurdity and underwhelming execution that could, depending on the viewer's disposition, either delight or disappoint. The film's primary strength lies in its unabashed embrace of its own ridiculousness, with sight gags and special effects that intentionally border on the farcical. The filmmakers intentionally keep the alien—a laughably absurd creature—largely out of frame during fight sequences, creating a surreal atmosphere reminiscent of Ed Wood's best-worst productions. This self-aware humor serves as a double-edged sword, potentially charming viewers who appreciate campy, low-budget cinema while alienating those looking for more cohesive storytelling and competent action choreography.

However, despite its moments of unrestrained goofiness, Alien vs. Ninja often falls short of being consistently entertaining. The film struggles to maintain a delicate balance between over-the-top silliness and genuine engagement, leaving audiences in a limbo state that neither fully commits to gonzo weirdness nor plunges into the territory of a so-bad-it’s-good movie. This indecisiveness dilutes its impact and detracts from the viewer's overall experience, particularly when one considers the potential promise of an epic showdown between ninjas and extraterrestrials—a concept that remains disappointingly underdeveloped.

Ultimately, Alien vs. Ninja is a film that knows exactly how absurd it is and revels in that knowledge. The alien designs and choreographed fights are delightfully over-the-top, but the lack of a committed direction can be a significant hurdle for its enjoyment. It's best experienced with a group of friends as an interactive viewing experience, possibly incorporating a drinking game to enhance the social interaction. If you're in the mood for something avant-garde and unpolished, this film might just be your cup of chamomile tea.