Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Danger Pays Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 30, 2016

Note: This film is available as part of Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Volume 2.

It’s kind of interesting that around the same time Hollywood studios were forsaking their old “contract star” system, at least with regard to feature films, the Japanese studio Nikkatsu was building up its roster of performers “bound” to the corporation. When television started making in roads on audience numbers, and anti-monopoly efforts divested studios of their theaters, suddenly a lot of American actors (or at least actors attempting to work in America) found themselves “free agents”, as it were. Some, like Burt Lancaster, rather easily made the transition to managing their own careers outside of studio supervision, while others weren’t quite able to make the jump into unmonitored waters (so to speak). Nikkatsu may not have spent tons of money on its so-called “Diamond” line of action-adventure (ish) films, but it managed to keep a stable of beloved performers regularly employed for several years. This second volume of Nikkatsu Diamond features from Arrow (Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Vol 1 appeared a few months ago) offers three lightweight but generally enjoyable films that are often bright and breezy if not especially memorable.

Danger Pays plies more traditional action-adventure elements than Tokyo Mighty Guy, though they’re often couched in a comedic tone that keeps things relatively light and “safe” feeling. Jo Shishido is on hand as a petty criminal named “Glass Hearted” Joji Kondo, a guy who gets mixed up in a huge counterfeiting scheme and who tries to outwit some mobster types who turn out to be smarter (and more deadly) than they initially appear. In a way Danger Pays reminded me of the 1967 American farce Who's Minding the Mint?, albeit with a more violent denouement. Shishido is his typically (almost?) lovable raffish self, and the film is generally brisk if actually hit or miss in the comedy department.

Danger Pays Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

All three films in Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Volume 2 are presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 2.42:1 (for Danger Pays and Murder Unincorporated) and 2.50:1 (for Tokyo Mighty Guy). Frankly all three of these films could be graded across the general 3.0 — 3.5 spectrum, but I've given Tokyo Mighty Guy a 3.0 and the other two a 3.5 to differentiate some subtle but noticeable differences between them. Because a contrast and compare is probably the best way to describe these, I recommend those interested to parse all of the screenshots of the three film reviews as well as the set review. Tokyo Mighty Guy is the least pleasing of the three transfers, with faded elements that tip toward the brown side of things, and rather shallow densities at times that tend to keep the palette from popping very vividly. Some long day for night sequences feature actually pretty commendable shadow detail but are subtly skewed toward blue, something that also attends some similar sequences in Murder Unincorporated. Danger Pays actually shows a slight bluish tint through large swaths of the film, though it's notable that a long sequence bathed in red light doesn't really tip very drastically toward purple as might be expected. Murder Unincorporated also suffers from some noticeable horizontal wobble. Elements in all three films show various signs of age related wear and tear, but all three are certainly watchable given reasonable expectations. Grain, while somewhat heavy at times, resolves naturally across all three films, and even with all three placed on one BD-50, there are no noticeable compression artifacts at play.

Danger Pays Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

All three films in this set feature LPCM mono tracks in the original Japanese, and unfortunately all three suffer from at least some distortion. It's worst on Tokyo Mighty Guy, where the opening fanfare and jaunty credits tune are hobbled by not just typical distortion but regular crackling. This abates somewhat after the opening few minutes, but is still noticeable throughout the presentation, especially during music cues or when higher frequencies are being utilized. Danger Pays and Murder Unincorporated also offer slight distortion, especially in the opening moments, but overall sound at least incrementally better. Danger Pays can sound a bit brittle on the high end, and dialogue is occasionally boxy. Murder Unincorporated is the best sounding of the three, and it features one of the most winning scores, a kind of quasi-jazzy affair with walking bass lines and lots of snare drums. It appears that at least parts of the films were post-looped, and so there are occasional sync issues with regard to lip movements and what's actually being spoken.

Danger Pays Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All three films included in Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Volume 2 are on one Blu-ray disc, along with supplements. A complete list of supplements is included in the Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Volume 2 Blu-ray review. Supplements directly related to this film are:

• Trailer (1080p; 3:51)


• Gallery (1080p)

Danger Pays Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Danger Pays never quite manages to build much momentum, and it seems to perch precariously between comedy and more traditional caper elements at times, but it's generally breezy enough and offers Shishido one of the patented roles that helped to define this part of his career. Technical merits have occasional issues for those considering a purchase.