[US Blu-ray] Sword of the Stranger

[Chris Beveridge]

http://www.mania.com/content_pics/000004/33/48/b38cacc4baa52530_thumb.jpgReview by Chris Beveridge (http://www.mania.com/sword-stranger_article_113728.html)

Mania Grade: B+
* Audio Rating: A-
* Video Rating: A
* Packaging Rating: B
* Menus Rating: B
* Extras Rating: A-
* Age Rating: 13 and Up
* Region: A - N. America, S. America, East Asia
* Released By: Bandai Entertainment
* MSRP: 39.98
* Running time: 102
* Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen
* Disc Resolution: 1080p
* Disc Encoding: H.264/AVC
* Series: Sword of the Stranger


In Summary:
Sword of the Stranger delivered exactly what I was looking for from it; a high quality visual treat involved swordsmen. I didn’t go into the feature expecting an amazing story and the one I got was what I figured it would be just from the trailer and promotional material, but it’s done in such a slick and solidly entertaining package that it overcomes its predictability. Sword of the Stranger is just a whole lot of fun, engaging enough to keep you drawn to it and beautiful enough in its execution and design to make you smile throughout it. Add in the right amount of violence and it’s a manly mans movie that will also appeal to women. No Name is your ideal Japanese ronin hero and the story that surrounds him allows it to be proven. The story may not be memorable over time, but the experience itself certainly is, especially in this high definition presentation.

No region coding is listed on the back cover which is why we're listing it just as a US BD release instead of the region it can be played back in.

[Kaikou]

Review got me to go and preorder a copy. It'll be nice to have an action anime movie to take in and enjoy in HD no less.

[Leon_Belmont]

It's pretty kickass, but the obligatory annoying little kid will keep it from taking Ninja Scroll's crown of potentially capturing mainstreamers.

[Avatar]

I saw this on the one night it was in theaters and found it quite enjoyable. My Blu-Ray copy arrived this week so now I can try it in the original language!

[Hakaisha]

I saw this in the theater and agree with pretty much everything Chris said in his review.

Unfortunately the screen was dark when I saw it and now I wish I had a blu-ray player to see it again. Oh well, someday.

[hissatsu]

I got my copy today and I can say that it looks very good. Comparing it directly to the Japanese blu-ray, I can't really tell the difference after looking at several scenes one after the other. I think directly comparing screenshots would be the only way to see a difference, if there is one. One could even say it's superior in one way: there are no hardsubs for the Chinese dialogue. I'd prefer the original Japanese credits with separate English credits, but I can live without them.

On the other hand, the packaging is doodoo, which was to be expected. The Japanese release has a nice thick chipboard box, with 2 black blu-ray cases inside (Movie disc and extras disc.), and booklet. I'm keeping the US Blu-ray with the Japanese copy. Why is it just about no releases in the US get anything but blue blu-ray cases? It really clashes with a lot of cover art. I guess they're certain you wouldn't be able to identify a blu-ray release without the glowing blue case.

The trailers on the disc don't bode well. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Code Geass R2, and GitS: Solid State Society. Three titles with Japanese Blu-ray releases, presented in artifact ridden, SD mpeg2 glory. They really do look awful. Doesn't look like a US Blu-ray release for these titles is on the horizon for the near future.

[ArcticMech]

Review got me to go and preorder a copy.

Same here. Ordered my copy within hours of reading the review. Can't wait to get the disc and pop it in the PS3.