Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Black Jack: The Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Black Jack: The Movie is an action-drama with a compelling storyline. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the feature-film showcases animation by Madhouse (Trigun, Cardcaptor Sakura) and Production I.G. (FLCL, Ghost in the Shell). Produced by Kazuyoshi Okuyama (The Dog of Flanders, Mobile Suit Gundam F91), Minoru Kotoku (Push, They Were 11), Takayuki Matsutani (Blue Blink, Legend of the Forest), Yasuo Ishida, and Yoshihiro Shimizu (Symphonic Poem: Jungle Emperor Leo, Kumi to Tulip), Black Jack: The Movie is an impressive series-to-film anime production. The theme music is performed by Mai Yamane. Featuring a lead voice-performance by Akio Ōtsuka. Additional voice-performances are provided by Mayo Suzukaze and Yuko Mizutani. While Black Jack: The Movie might not appeal as much to series newcomers, established fans may find is especially worthwhile.

Black Jack (Akio Ōtsuka) is an accomplished surgeon. As a successful doctor, Black Jack has immense abilities in his forte and few others can compare to him. Some consider his skills so grand that most other surgeons are incapable of performing the same kind of tasks as Black Jack. Most of the great surgeons fail to even come close to the capabilities of Black Jack during surgery. Despite the great successes as a doctor, Black Jack also works on the side running secret ops and charging a pretty penny – something in the realm of millions to those who can afford to hire him.

With Black Jack facing his biggest mission to date, Black Jack must rely on his medical expertise to solve the mystery behind a new form of superhumans with incredible athletic abilities outperforming all other human beings. What could be the cause of their newformed athletic abilities? Seeking out the truth to resolve the mystery of these super human beings, Black Jack uses his surgical brain to uncover the truth once more. Despite conspiracies, dangers, and unusual events, Black Jack will do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the superhumans.

The character designs by Akio Sugino (Aim for the Ace!, Ashita no Joe) and Osamu Tezuka (The New Adventures of Kimba The White Lion, A Time Slip of 10000 Years: Prime Rose) add a lot to Black Jack: The Movie and its production. The designs are true to the style of the original creator (with the manga style an important element of the production). The design work for the film is certainly notable for staying true to the style of the manga. The mecha designs by Masaharu Tomoda (Angel Cop, Seiren) and Nobuyasu Moriki add a nice touch to the feature-film production as well.

The animation for Black Jack: The Movie is excellent and it is well-stylized. The aesthetic of the film feels true to the style of Tezuka. The art direction by Jirou Kouno (Amnesia, Sacred Seven) is creative while the animation direction by Fumihiro Yoshimura helps to create the sense of authenticity to the production. A great work all around.

The cinematography by Hajime Noguchi (Lupin the 3rd: The Hemingway Papers, Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight) and Hirokata Takahashi (Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, Space Adventure Cobra) feels well- stylized to the genre and tone of the film. The aesthetic is darker in comparison to a more light-hearted series and this is exactly what one would expect for the film (especially given the concept).

The score composed by Eiji Kawamura (Kamen Rider BLACK, Kamen Rider BLACK RX) adds some energy and excitement to the film as well. The score does a good job of providing solid background music to events. The score imbues a sense of mystery and intrigue to the main character.

Directed by Osamu Dezaki (Space Adventure Cobra, Lupin the 3rd: From Siberia with Love), who co-wrote the screenplay with Eto Mori (Black Jack, Hakugei: Legend of the Moby Dick), Black Jack: The Movie is going to appeal first and foremost to fans of the established series. Newcomers may feel it doesn’t provide the best starting point. The film may not work as well for newcomers as a result. Even so, the film has some creative elements that will appeal to all audiences, and the film is a reasonably fun time. Though Black Jack: The Movie doesn’t rival the best works of Dezaki it is still a compelling anime production and one that is worth seeing.

Black Jack: The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media, Black Jack: The Movie is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The Blu-ray release provides an impressive high-definition presentation. The high-definition encode provides the feature-film animation with nice color reproduction. The colors look true to the aesthetic of the production. Darker and grittier than most modern productions, the filmic style is well retained on the release. Encoding is excellent by Discotek. A quality presentation.

Black Jack: The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo and Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The lossless audio sounds crisp and engaging on the release. Dialogue is well reproduced. The sound direction by Hiroshi Sakonjo is well reproduced. The score and soundstage is capably reproduced.

Black Jack: The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes with a nicely designed o-card slipcover. The slipcover features unique key art (and the sleeve underneath can display alternative artwork).

English Credits (HD, 6:50)

Manga Video Release Promo (SD, 1:14)

Japanese Trailers (SD, 3:36)

Black Jack: The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Black Jack: The Movie isn't the greatest starting point for newcomers to the franchise but established series fans may love the film for its rewarding stylistic flourishes. The film is entertaining, regardless. Offering a nice storyline and compelling production elements. The lead character is quite mysterious. Discotek Media provides an impressive video and audio presentation. The release doesn't come with as many supplemental features – at least, there's a nice slipcover as well. Recommended.