Hurricane Polymar Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Hurricane Polymar Blu-ray Movie Review

Hurricane Polymar is an action-packed Tokusatsu genre superhero film. Created by Tatsuo Yoshida, Hurricane Polymar is a power-rush of adrenaline-packed action. Produced by Daiji Horiuchi (Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul, Haruchika – Haruta & Chika), Hirokuni Maeyama (Strike Witches, Kikaider Reboot), Jungo Maruta (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Last Order Final Fantasy VII), Mikihiko Hirata (Shadow), Shunpei Yamada, Yasushi Minatoya, and Yosuke Ozawa (Reign: The Conqueror), Hurricane Polymar is a live-action experience – adapting the original anime style for live-action filmmaking.

Executive produced by Daiji Horiuchi (Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon, Bloom Into You), Hirokuni Maeyama (Date A Live, Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman), Mikihiko Hirata (Shadow), Yosuke Ozawa (Reign: The Conqueror, Beatless), and Yuzo Kuwabara (The Apothecary Diaries, My Hero Academia: You're Next), Hurricane Polymar isn’t breaking new ground but it offers a fun dive into the fan-favorite franchise. For fans of the franchise, Hurricane Polymar is well worth seeing. Featuring performances by Junpei Mizobata, Yurina Yanagi, Hatsunori Hasegawa, Mikie Hara, Satoshi Jinbo, and Yuki Yamada. Created to commemorate the 55th anniversary of Tatsunoko Productions, Hurricane Polymar is a showcase for the long-established franchise through the live-action Tokusatsu action-genre.

Takeshi Yoroi (Junpei Mizobata) is a private eye with a mission at hand. Takeshi discovers several high-tech mobile suits are stolen. A secret team of violent terrorists stole the suits in order to cause some chaos in their thirst for world domination. Takeshi must take on the mantle of Hurricane Polymar.

Takeshi embarks on a whole new journey as he suits up and gets ready to fight the villains and their illegally obtained mecha suits. With the help of fellow detective Teru Nanba (Yurina Yanagi), Takeshi ascends the obstacles set forth and battles on. With a high-tech red suit, can the villains be stopped in their tracks?

Junpei Mizobata does a solid job in the central role. The performance is decent and works well for the genre. The role doesn’t showcase a wide range for the actor but provides a solid enough foray into action filmmaking. Yurina Yanagi is charming and upbeat in her supporting role. The cast has fun – providing energy and enthusiasm for the production.

The production features a number of impressive elements. Hurricane Polymar features production design by Tomoyuki Maruo (Princess Blade, Lupin III: Live Action). The feature also highlights art direction by Tomoyuki Maruo (Princess Blade, Lupin III: Live-Action). The aesthetic of the film is impressive and well realized.

The Hurricane Polymar feature has a live-action Power Rangers style that is perfect for the genre sensibilities. The scope and scale might feel more along the lines of live-action television than theatrical features usually feel but the results are effective with considerations in mind. This is not a huge budget feature-film and it is obvious that some elements are on-par with television production. As a result, audiences should keep those expectations in check, and Hurricane Polymar will be more enjoyable.

The action is front and center. The action filmmaking is highlighted by action director Akihiro Noguchi (Devilman, The Guyver 2). Hurricane Polymar also features stunts by Tom Constantine and Chuck Johnson. The action elements are essential to the filmmaking. The results are impressive. The Tokusatsu genre action builds and the mecha elements keep things entertaining for action fans.

The cinematography by Shu G. Momose (Wingman) is a decent part of the Tokusatsu feature-film. The visuals are sleek and modern. The digital cinematography looks crisp during the feature and the style certainly works for the genre expectations. The cinematography feels less creative and ambitious compared to the best works but for solid, no-frills sleek photography this is something that works.

The score composed by Go Sakabe (Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls, Chronicles of the Going Home Club) is a decent backdrop to the action scenes. Sakabe is not a top-tier composer but a solid one. The score isn’t going to impress as much as the best music does but it is a decent-enough effort. The score has a sensibility that works for the genre.

Written by Shinsuke Ōnishi (Ultraman Cosmos, Darker Than Black), Hurricane Polymar is a decent at best script. The script simply isn’t that good. Dialogue is average. The characters and their sensibilities seem paper-thin. The writing doesn’t inspire. There is not much to say about the average quality of the film scripting. Despite the somewhat mediocre writing, the writing suits the Tokusatsu genre adventure – emphasis on the action.

Directed by Kōichi Sakamoto (Power Rangers Turbo, Kamen Rider Geats), Hurricane Polymar is decent entertainment. Hurricane Polymar isn’t great by any stretch of the imagination but it is solid fun and worth watching. The filmmaking feels mediocre at times but is more passably entertaining than one expects. The genre elements keep Hurricane Polymar engaging. Hurricane Polymar won’t win any noteworthy awards with audiences but it is a solid distraction for action fans.

Hurricane Polymar Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media, Hurricane Polymar is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The high-definition video is well-done. The crisp and colorful cinematography is a highlight on the release. The aesthetics add to the presentation.

The cinematography for Hurricane Polymar has an all-digital sheen and has no film grain or more old-school traditional aesthetics. For those of you who prefer all-digital looking films, Hurricane Polymar provides that type of visual aesthetic in spades. It isn't going to appeal as much to grain lovers.

The Blu-ray release is well encoded. There were no notable issues with banding or other video-based deficiencies to distract. The encoding was handled with good bit-rates and solid compression by Discotek Media.

Hurricane Polymar Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: Hurricane Polymar is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. English subtitles are provided. The English subtitles are well-done and are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors. The Blu-ray release does not include an English dubbed option. The lossless encoding is solid and a nice element of the release.

The score and soundstage are well highlighted on the release. The score adds some energy to action scenes and is crisply reproduced. The surround option is dynamic and provides a reasonably engaging surround sound mix. The surround soundstage isn't the most creative – it feels somewhat average and unremarkable – but it is active and engaging.

One of the strengths of physical media is lossless audio encoding. Streaming video services only provide lossy (non-lossless) audio quality. For home theater enthusiasts wanting the best out of their gear and audiophiles seeking the purest audio experience, the physical format offers some distinct advantages.

Hurricane Polymar Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The first print run of the release includes a nice o-card slipcover. The o-card slipcover features unique key artwork. The slipcover artwork is different from the artwork featured underneath the slipcover. Getting additional key artwork on the under-slip artwork adds to the quality of the package design. Featuring reverse-side interior artwork, too – the full color art adding to the visual aesthetics of the package. Discotek Media continues to produce some of the best looking slipcovers – especially for boutique anime and Tokusatsu distribution in North America.

On disc supplements include:

Teaser (HD, 00:36)

Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:37)

Promo (HD, 3:53)

Making of Hurricane Polymar (HD, 37:23)

Early Advance Screening Intro (HD, 21:43)

Opening Day Q&A (HD, 15:22)

Hurricane Kenpo for Beginners with Director Koichi Sakamoto (HD, 17:42)

Hurricane Polymar Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hurricane Polymar is an entertaining action-adventure even if it is somewhat forgettable and not too deep. The filmmaking is bland in many respects. There are a lot of average qualities to the production. Even so, Tokusatsu fans will find Hurricane Polymar enjoyable. It is directed by a chief director on many Power Rangers productions. Hurricane Polymar feels so much like another Power Rangers episode but in theatrical form. It is decent entertainment and will appeal to genre fans wanting something fun to chill and relax to.

The Blu-ray release provides a quality high-definition presentation and lossless audio. The release also includes a nice assortment of supplemental features. The first print run includes a stunning o-card slipcover. Recommended.