One Percenter Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "One Percenter" delivers a compelling audio experience through its Japanese and English DTS-HD Master Audio lossless tracks. Both tracks maintain sonic parity except for the English dubbing's variation in voice actors. The mixes are robust, with an emphasis on surround sound that elevates scenes such as Toshiro's dynamic fight sequences amidst the metal refinery. The bass is pronounced and immerses the viewer fully into the scene, enhancing the impact of these sequences. However, the audio presentation does exhibit a front-heavy orientation in the film's first act, with limited activity from the surround channels and an understated low end. This improves significantly as the narrative progresses, particularly in scenes set within the island factory.

Visually, the Blu-ray is characterized by its AVC-encoded 1080p transfer presented in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. While specific details about the filming equipment remain elusive, possibly including Alexas, the visual capture is meticulous despite some instances of noise in low-light conditions—these increase as the storyline unfolds. Detail levels shine particularly in extreme close-ups that reveal nuanced expressions and textures, adding depth to cinematic moments. The grading and lighting are artistically applied, offering a range of hues from teal to green in interiors and culminating in a striking orange tint during a climactic showdown. Such choices enrich the aesthetic and offer viewers an engaging visual spectacle that complements the film's intense sequences.

The audio presentation of the "One Percenter" Blu Ray features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks available in both Japanese and English languages. Both audio tracks perform evenly in terms of amplitude and mix, offering an immersive listening experience. The clear distinction in these tracks relies on language preference rather than technical superiority, enabling the viewer to choose based on subtitle preferences. The Japanese track is particularly engaging, retaining clean and clear dialogue throughout the playback.

The sound design is notably more pronounced during fight scenes, delivering an immersive surround activity that captures attention effectively. The transition to island settings enhances the auditory experience with a more aggressive sound design, utilizing discrete channelization for individual sound effects. This is complemented by a compelling ambient environmental background wash during outdoor sequences, providing depth and enhancing the spatial awareness within these scenes.

Overall, the audio performance supports the cinematic experience through its implementation of rich soundscapes and precise dialogue delivery. The choice between languages primarily hinges on viewer preference for subtitles as both tracks maintain high-quality acoustic environments consistently throughout the film. Optional English subtitles are provided to accommodate the viewing experience further.

The Blu-ray extras for "One Percenter" offer a comprehensive look into the film's behind-the-scenes aspects, maintaining a high level of professionalism typical of Well Go USA releases. The "Making Of" feature provides an engaging, in-depth exploration, notable for its meta elements and interviews with key cast members, bringing added insight to the film's production. The disc is user-friendly, designed to autoplay additional content seamlessly, creating an uninterrupted viewing experience. Packaged with a slipcover, the presentation is both stylish and functional. While the inclusion of the primary trailer enhances context, automatic previews for other Well Go USA offerings may be less appealing to those seeking focused content on the primary film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Of: An in-depth and engaging behind-the-scenes feature.
• Trailer: Official trailer showcasing the film.
• Well Go USA Previews: Auto-playing trailers for other releases.

"One Percenter" cleverly intertwines meta-commentary and action, though it occasionally struggles to balance the two. The film's outset brilliantly reunites director Yudai Yamaguchi with martial arts icon Tak Sakaguchi, offering a meta-narrative that feels both satirical and deeply personal. Sakaguchi plays Takuma Toshiro, an action star past his prime, longing for authentic martial arts cinema instead of orchestrated choreography. Initially, the film delights with its biting wit and self-referential humor, poking fun at the nostalgia and ego of both aging action stars and the industry as a whole. Toshiro's journey and his disdain for "fake" action set a promising stage.

As Toshiro embarks on creating his own action spectacle, alongside his student Akira, the narrative shifts to an island refuge scene. Here, the storyline transitions into action-driven content featuring visceral combat sequences reminiscent of classic ex-commando thrillers. While these sequences showcase Sakaguchi's prowess, complete with innovative martial arts choreography, the initial meta-satirical foundation is somewhat overshadowed. The exploration of a yakuza-dominated island provides ample opportunity for dynamic combat scenes, although these tend to dominate over thematic depth as the film progresses.

Ultimately, "One Percenter" veers towards traditional tropes of one-man armies facing innumerable foes, reserving its meta approach for the bookends rather than weaving it throughout. This leaves the ending—a sudden reveal—in need of more grounded narrative support. While it attempts to shock and surprise, its impact is somewhat diluted by its abruptness and lack of coherence upon further scrutiny. Despite these hiccups, the film remains noteworthy for fans of character-driven martial arts films looking for fresh commentary on age-old cinematic traditions.

The Blu-ray release of "One Percenter" presents a captivating blend of action, martial arts, and layers of meta-narrative. Directed by Yudai Yamaguchi, the film features standout performances by Tak Sakaguchi and Sho Aoyagi. It opens with intriguing concepts reminiscent of Charlie Kaufman's complex storytelling, though it transitions into more conventional action territory as the plot progresses. The initial setup heralds a satirical examination of action movies, which unfortunately takes a backseat as the film veers towards straightforward sequences. Yet, this evolution does maintain engaging elements like intense fight scenes and splashes of dark humor.

Technically, the Blu-ray proves satisfactory. The video quality, presented in a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio, is commendable for a Japanese production. Audio options include both Japanese and English DTS-HD MA 5.1, enhancing the viewing experience with robust soundscapes. However, the extras provided by Well Go USA are characteristically minimal. Despite this, the feature's technical prowess supports its action-packed narrative, particularly highlighting the thrilling combat choreography.

In conclusion, while the film's thematic execution may falter as it progresses, "One Percenter" compensates with its exceptional fight scenes, notably between Sakaguchi and the Jeet Kune Do grand master Togo Ishi. The film stands as an intriguing counterpoint to Jackie Chan’s offerings, offering a darker exploration of similar themes. This Blu-ray release will likely appeal to a niche audience appreciative of martial arts films with unconventional twists. The solid technical foundation makes this an interesting watch for action enthusiasts seeking a unique experience.