Psycho-Pass: Providence Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Psycho-Pass: Providence Blu-ray Movie Review

Psycho-Pass Providence is an exciting feature-film in the anime franchise. The action-adventure sci-fi thriller is entertaining and engaging. From the original story written by Gen Urobuchi, Psycho-Pass Providence features original character designs by Akira Amano.

Produced by Akitoshi Mori (Samurai Flamenco, Silver Spoon), Fumi Morihiro (Moriarty the Patriot, Kuroko's Basketball), and Masaya Saitō (FLCL Alternative, FLCL Progressive), Psycho-Pass Providence features theme song performances by Ling Tosite Sigure (opening) and EGOIST (ending). Psycho-Pass Providence also features animation from Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion). Psycho-Pass Providence also features voice performances by Kana Hanazawa and Tomokazu Seki.

The Peacebreakers are terrorists causing chaos across Japan – both attacking coastal ships and infiltrating the Sibyl System. The Sibyl System provides control over the entire justice system and with terrorists in the field overtaking the system and breaking it down, it is up to a few individuals to try and combat these terrorists: Akane Tsunemori (Kana Hanazawa) and Shinya Kōgami (Tomokazu Seki). Akane and Shinya must now go on a new mission to uncover the truth behind the brutal murder of a professor who was investigating the Sibyl System. The Peacebreakers can even survive bullets and are far more deadly than anyone expected. Can Akane and Shinya work together to stop the Peacebreakers and resolve the chaos in Japan before it is too late?

The characters are a huge part of the production. The lead protagonists are essential to the storytelling and filmmaking. Akane and Shinya are great leading characters. These wonderful lead characters add energy and excitement to the feature. The duality between the characters and their journey working together is something that adds more exciting energy to the film, too.

One of the key visual highlights is found in the character designs. Psycho-Pass Providence features worthwhile character designs by Naoyuki Onda (Ergo Proxy, Gantz). Psycho-Pass Providence has tremendous strength in the character art work and designs. The design aesthetics add much to everything – creating more immersive storytelling. The character designs work well for the darker and far grittier visual aesthetic elements achieved by the series. The end result? Character designs that are memorable and engaging.

The mecha designs are impressive. There is a lot of visual finesse in the mecha designs and their role in the filmmaking. The mecha designs by Kenji Teraoka (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and Shinobu Tsuneki (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, GaoGaiGar: King of the Braves) deliver in spades. There are a lot of sequences with high octane action showcasing the mecha elements. The mecha aspects are front-and-center in many scenes. The mecha animation adds so much to the production and to the sci-fi filmmaking.

Psycho-Pass Providence features storyboards by Atsushi Takeuchi (Sakura Wars: The Movie, Harlock: Space Pirate), Naoki Arakawa (Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Moriarty the Patriot), Naoyoshi Shiotani (Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror, Le Chevalier D'Eon), and Toshiyuki Kono (Immortal Grand Prix, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex). The storyboards played a big role in the development of animation for the feature-film. The storyboards have translated well into high spectacle – the epic animation and production values on display in spades.

Psycho-Pass Providence features top-notch animation. Indeed, the animation is one of the most visually rewarding elements of the film. The feature showcases superb art direction by Shūichi Kusamori (Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, Lupin the 3rd: The Hemingway Papers). The animation style is robust and the engaging aesthetic adds so much to the filmmaking. Psycho-Pass Providence also features wonderful chief animation direction by Naoyuki Onda (Ergo Proxy, Witch Hunter Robin). The team of animators involved with the feature-film production deliver something special. From the mecha animation to futuristic landscapes, the artwork is something essential to the gritty sci-fi actioner. The futuristic spectacle feels true to the world of Blade Runner and takes inspiration from some of the greatest science-fiction spectacles in anime and live-action filmmaking.

The cinematography by Eiji Arai (The Fire Hunter, Blood-C) is well-done and there is much to appreciate about the visuals. The cinematography by Arai is top-notch and delivers on so many levels. The visuals amaze with beautiful finesse and detail. The cinematography is often robust and bleak at the same time. There is a balance between the visual dynamics – the light and dark aesthetic qualities – that brings so much spectacle to the production. The green and blue hues of the cinematography also help create a sense of dystopia in the filmmaking that is compelling. The aesthetic works wonders for the film and helps it to be all the more engaging.

The score composed by Yūgo Kanno (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Gundam Reconguista in G) is engaging throughout the sci-fi feature-film. The music score by Kanno is top-notch and adds a lot to the science-fiction filmmaking. The score is a lot of fun and manages to imbue so much energy and life into the production on every level. There is much to appreciate about Psycho-Pass Providence when one considers the score and the soundtrack. The score amazes with a sense of energy that is essential to the storytelling.

Written by Makoto Fukami (Blade of the Immortal, Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall) and Tow Ubukata (Ghost in the Shell: Arise, RWBY: Ice Queendom), Psycho-Pass Providence is well-done. The script is somewhat convoluted at times but the sense of ambition and scale is well handled. The script is an impressive accomplishment in action staging and spectacle. The script provides plenty of moments for the characters to be carried away by adventure. These aspects of the scriptwriting translate into a more entertaining sci-fi spectacle.

Directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani (Tokyo Marble Chocolate, Star Wars: Visions), Psycho-Pass Providence is worthwhile and a must-see for fans of the anime franchise. The anime is dark and gritty – far more so than most anime series. The sense of scale is enormous at times. The production values immensely satisfactory. Director Shiotani brings a lot of action to the table and the high-octane energy of the sequences brings the storytelling to life. From a visual standpoint alone, Psycho-Pass Providence is impressive and well worthwhile for anime fans.

Psycho-Pass: Providence Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Crunchyroll, Psycho-Pass Providence is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The presentation pleases in spades. The high-definition video quality is top-notch on the release. The visual quality is fantastic throughout. The cinematography is well reproduced – the bold and engaging colors are superbly reproduced. The background animation, line art, character art, and mecha designs are given an impressive chance to shine throughout the high-definition presentation.

One of the best qualities of the release is the high bit-rate encoding. One of the staples of physical media is the excellent encoding quality achievable. Physical media fans can depend on a nice and pleasing presentation with good depth and detail. Streaming video services sometimes provide audiences a lower video bit-rate by comparison and other variables can sometimes interfere – from internet connection speeds, data plans, streaming service plans, number of connected users, and other variables – such as the weather.

Psycho-Pass: Providence Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options including: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (with English subtitles). The release reproduces the sound direction by Yoshikazu Iwanami (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Sword Art Online) well. The sound design is a huge part of the release. The 5.1 surround sound mixing is excellent and there are a lot of moments throughout the film where the surround soundstage is engaging fun. The sound mixing is often creative and a few of the tensest action scenes are especially impacted by the sound design – enhancing the film and creating a more immersive experience.

Lossless audio encoding is a staple hallmark of the Blu-ray disc format. Lossless audio provides theater quality sound – with no resolution loss for enthusiasts. Audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts will appreciate these audio quality merits. Streaming video services are limited to lossy (non-lossless) audio quality and there is more compression by comparison. For those wanting the best possible audio quality available, the physical format offers those advantageous gains. The end result is a more immersive audio experience.

Psycho-Pass: Providence Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The limited-edition version includes a deluxe chipboard art-box. The art-box features a compelling box design with some spot textures to the title fonts and character line art. The artwork features sketch versions of the main characters on the front of the box and full-color character art on the back of the box art. The premium chipboard art box was designed to match the aesthetic quality of previous box sets in the Psycho-Pass anime franchise. For those collecting the full run of these sets, the limited set is something that will look beautiful on the shelf beside the other sets.

The release also includes the standard edition inside of the limited-edition packaging. The standard edition comes with a nicely designed o-card slipcover. The slipcover features unique key art. Upon taking off the slipcover, the artwork underneath the slipcover is also unique. The effect between the outer collector's art box, slipcover, and standard cover is a "triple cover art" effect that is quite nice for enthusiasts and collectors alike. The packaging looks wonderful overall – the only possible nitpick the lack of a clear case for the standard case (with interior artwork that one has to remove from the case to get a better impression).

The box-set also includes an impressive 60-page booklet. The nice booklet includes character profiles, key visuals, interviews, setting art, and line art. Fans will appreciate the extensive booklet and the various sections included within the book. The booklet includes interviews with director Naoyoshi Shiotani, character designer Naoyuki Onda, and art director Shuichi Kusamori. Fans will be quite impressed and pleased with the effort put into the collectable booklet.

On disc supplements include:

Promo Video: The Story So Far (HD, 9:56)

Trailers (HD, 2:40)

Textless Opening Song (HD, 1:38)

Unfortunately, the release lacks a substantial on-disc bonus features assortment. The release could have used some more on-disc bonus features. The set could have benefited from some audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes, making-of documentaries, cast/crew interview, art galleries, photo galleries, and much more. Alas, the release is almost barebones on-disc in regards to extras. However, the gorgeous packaging combined with the nice booklet add substantial value to the release as a collectable edition.

Psycho-Pass: Providence Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Psycho-Pass Providence: Collectors Edition is a must-own for die-hard fans of the anime franchise. The feature-film is entertaining and offers high-octane sci-fi action. The spectacle of the feature-film is a good enough reason to see the action anime. The production values are outstanding.

The Blu-ray is fantastic with top-notch video quality, lossless audio, and collectable packaging – including a nice booklet featuring 60 pages of content. The release is well-rounded overall (even though it could use more on-disc extras). Fans of the Psycho-Pass anime series will want to consider a potential purchase. Recommended.