5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.8 |
The absorbing martial arts film that exposes Ninjutsu, the lethal, little-known "Art of Invisibility"... which includes the use of hypnotism, explosives and super-human fighting skills.
Starring: Franco Nero, Susan George, Shô Kosugi, Christopher George, Will HareMartial arts | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Menahem Golan's "Enter the Ninja" (1981) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by critics Mike Leeder and Arne Venema and vintage trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Enter the Ninja arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
This release is sourced from the same older MGM master that has been licensed to various boutique labels around the world. (For example, this Region-B release from Eureka Entertainment was sourced from it as well). Kino Lorber's original release from 2015 was sourced from it as well.
So, what is different now? This time, the encode has properly set gamma levels and a higher bitrate. (This release uses a dual-layer disc, the previous release uses a single-layer disc). Unfortunately, the master is quite weak and the adjustments do not produce any meaningful improvements in quality. Indeed, the entire film still looks quite soft and flat. Contrast is routinely very underwhelming as well. In wider shots, like this, there is simply not enough proper detail, so on a larger screen various areas of the film do not have a convincing organic appearance. Color reproduction is average at best. While some primaries are acceptable, supporting nuances are disappointing. Darker areas where shadow nuances are important can be especially problematic. Finally, it is very easy to spot various tiny nicks, blemishes, and stains. All in all, Enter the Ninja needs to be properly remastered at least in 2K so that it looks as it should on Blu-ray. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
While there are no serious anomalies to report, I feel that a brand new remastering job would make it stronger. Why? There are some areas with quite a bit of action that sound a bit anemic, which is how it becomes easy to tell that the current master was prepared some years ago. If you turn up the volume enough, you will probably notice that the upper register is not quite as solid as it could be. Again, there is nothing that may negatively affect your viewing experience, but the audio can be healthier and more attractive.
Kino Lorber's reissue of Enter the Ninja offers a different but still underwhelming technical presentation of the film because it is sourced from the same weak old master that was used to produce the original release in 2015. However, there is a predictably good new audio commentary on it from critics Mike Leeder and Arne Venema. If you decide to pick it up, it will have to be for the audio commentary.
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