Revenge of the Ninja Blu-ray Review

The AVC-encoded image presentation of "Revenge of the Ninja" (1.85:1 aspect ratio) reflects its low-budget origins and cinematographic limitations, similar to those observed in "Enter the Ninja." The overall picture exhibits a persistent softness with detail mostly emerging during close-ups. Texture consistency is moderate, breaking through sporadically amid the pervasive haze. Grain presence is noticeable and sometimes chunky, but the filmic quality is retained despite sections of noisy patches. Source material imperfections, such as speckling and scratches, are evident but do not significantly detract from the viewing experience.

Colors tend to be muted, although elements like period costuming and neon signage bring occasional vibrancy. The outdoor scenes present a dull and murky appearance, while brightly lit indoor sequences display a surprising level of clarity and colorfulness. These indoor scenes particularly shine during combat sequences, enhancing the viewing experience with vivid imagery. Despite evidence of minor print damage such as brief vertical black lines, the picture remains clean and clear without substantial digital artifacts, indicating meticulous mastering efforts.

Overall, while "Revenge of the Ninja" shows its age and budget constraints through its video presentation, it manages to deliver a reasonably satisfactory viewing experience with moments of detailed clarity and engaging colors in specific scenes.

The audio presentation of the "Revenge of the Ninja" Blu-ray features a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track that, unfortunately, falls short of expectations. The stereo sound mix demands frequent adjustments to the volume knob to find a comfortable listening level due to its generally quiet nature. The dynamic range and fidelity are notably limited, especially concerning the synthesized music, clanging metal effects, and sword swooshes. Clarity is compromised, with the audio track plagued by a muddy quality touched by intermittent hiss and pops. This affects dialogue exchanges which are often muffled by ambient sounds, though they occasionally come through with passable force.

Moreover, the sound effects and scoring lack vigor, delivering a rather simplistic and barely energetic auditory experience. When dialogue is isolated from other sound elements, it becomes moderately clearer but still not ideal. Experimentation with Dolby Pro-Logic II for a synthesized surround sound effect initially improved dialogue intelligibility but wasn't sufficient to maintain over conventional two-channel listening. Conversely, the audio commentary stands out by being clear and distinct, providing a marked difference in quality compared to the primary track. Overall, while the soundtrack’s commentary is commendable, the core audio mix presents substantial room for improvement in achieving a more engaging and refined listening experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Revenge of the Ninja" offers a robust selection of extras that enhance the viewing experience. Though the packaging lists a Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery, this feature is inexplicably absent. Nevertheless, fans and cinephiles will appreciate the Intro by director Sam Firstenberg, who candidly discusses his entry into the project and its creative lineage. The Commentary by Firstenberg and stunt coordinator Steven Lambert is both informative and engaging, providing valuable insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Lambert's repetitive use of "wonderful" aside, their discussions about character transformations and omitted scenes make the commentary worthwhile. The Theatrical Trailer rounds out the extras, offering a glimpse of action sequences that appear more polished than in the final cut.

Extras included in this disc:

• Intro: Firstenberg discusses his introduction to the project and its creative team.
• Commentary: Director Sam Firstenberg and stunt coordinator Steven Lambert.
• Theatrical Trailer: A revealing preview with additional scenes not in the film.

"Revenge of the Ninja," directed by Sam Firstenberg, embodies Cannon Films' signature take on the martial arts genre, capitalizing on the ninja craze of the early '80s. Transitioning from its precursor "Enter the Ninja," this film retains Sho Kosugi as the lead in a new narrative set in America. Cho, played by Kosugi, relocates to the U.S. after a ruthless attack by rogue ninjas decimates his family in Japan, only to face new challenges in his peaceful life as an art gallery owner. The plot thickens when Cho discovers that his business partner Braden, portrayed by Arthur Roberts, is using the gallery to smuggle heroin in Japanese dolls. Braden's betrayals escalate into a series of violent confrontations, featuring high-octane action scenes and multiethnic adversaries.

In terms of execution, "Revenge of the Ninja" is an archetype of '80s action cinema, characterized by gratuitous violence and absurdly entertaining set pieces. Firstenberg leverages exaggerated stereotypes and infuses an over-the-top tenor into the film, highlighting irrational conflicts set against a backdrop of cultural clichés. Despite lacking any significant continuity with "Enter the Ninja," this sequel compensates with an abundance of combat sequences. Noteworthy moments include a fiery chase through suburban streets and a ludicrously entertaining showdown involving Cho's elderly mother, clad in a kimono yet delivering backflips and employing an array of weaponry.

Despite its numerous fight scenes and explosive spectacles involving throwing stars, blowguns, and unceasing hand-to-hand skirmishes, "Revenge of the Ninja" is punctuated by inconsistencies. Character actions frequently lack coherence, with continuity errors undermining the film's attempts at maintaining a streamlined narrative. Performances are universally flat, with Kosugi delivering a particularly stoic portrayal of Cho, even amidst personal tragedy and escalating conflicts. Yet, amid its technical flaws and cheese-laden dialogue, the film achieves a nostalgic charm. Its captivating absurdity and relentless, if not flawlessly executed, action provide sufficient entertainment value, especially for audiences seeking an escape into the kitsch realm of '80s martial arts movies.

"Revenge of the Ninja" on Blu-ray is an intriguing entry into the 1980s action genre. Coming from Cannon Films, known for their exploitation cinema, the film is an entertaining mix of martial arts and campy action sequences. The high definition transfer does justice to the period-specific aesthetics, showcasing some vivid and sharp imagery despite the inherent graininess that comes with older films. The audio track is competent, delivering clear dialogue and effectively amplifying the energetic score that underscores the action scenes. The climax of the film, reminiscent of "Die Hard" with its office building showdown, is a peculiar highlight, though the execution feels lackluster in terms of performance and choreography.

Despite its ambitious stunts, "Revenge of the Ninja" falters in maintaining narrative consistency and technical prowess. The plot meanders with uneven pacing, often leaning heavily on nostalgia to mask its deficiencies. The performances are limited, which might detract from the viewing experience for those expecting more polished acting. However, for fans of niche exploitation cinema, the film's shortcomings might actually enhance its charm, transforming it into an unintentional comedy that can be quite enjoyable in its absurdity.

In conclusion, while "Revenge of the Ninja" may not meet high artistic standards or modern expectations for action films, it excels as a nostalgic piece of entertainment. The Blu-ray release is commendable for its presentation quality and will likely appeal to genre enthusiasts. As a part of Cannon Films' legacy, it marks a step back in terms of technical finesse but stands tall as a cult classic that revels in its own eccentricities. For viewers seeking pure nostalgia or a glimpse into 80s exploitation action, this release is a noteworthy addition to their collection.