7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Police investigators investigate the link between a serial killer's machinations and a young man who committed suicide under murky circumstances.
Starring: Makoto Satô (I), Chieko Baishô, Sanae Nakahara, Ranfan Ou, Kin SugaiForeign | 100% |
Drama | 47% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.41:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Japanese: LPCM 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
On a supplement included on this disc Tom Mes makes the perhaps unexpected case that serial killers have been a staple of Japanese cinema since the dawn of Japanese cinema. Mes offers a laundry list of films understandably spanning several decades (considering how early the first examples are that Mes shows of films about serial killers), all of which may offer a slightly subversive take on a society that we Westerners often almost inherently think of as being "polite". Any notions of "polite" Japanese may be instantly disabused by the absolutely shocking opening vignette of I, the Executioner, which in its own way brings to mind a similarly disturbing "POV" look at victims in Michael Powell's legendary Peeping Tom. The camera in this opening moment is the executioner, and the stunned look on the face of his first female victim sets the tone for this unsettling piece, which offers a really florid style that can arguably kind of hover somewhere between noir and giallo.
I, the Executioner is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Radiance Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.41:1. Radiance sent a check disc for purposes of this review, and so I'm not privy to any information about the transfer that is in their insert booklet, but their website offers a generic "high definition digital transfer", for whatever that's worth. This is a really appealing looking presentation for a film that intentionally toys with the imagery, including some near psychedelic effects with image reversals and pushed contrast. Those stylistic quirks aside, the "normal" sections of this presentation offer really engaging detail levels with consistent contrast supporting both beautifully deep blacks and some nicely modulated gray scale. There is some very minor but visible lateral image instability from time to time. Grain resolves without any issues.
I, the Executioner features LPCM 2.0 Mono audio in the original Japanese. There's just the slightest hint of distortion in some of the rather appealing female vocalese moments, but otherwise this track offers secure support for a film that does feature some sound effects, but is more often than not more simply dialogue driven, without a lot of sonic "bells and whistles". All spoken material is delivered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
In a way, it may actually not be entirely "accurate" to define Shima as a "real" serial killer, since it becomes apparent he's actually a man on a quest for vengeance, as questionable as the screenplay may let that vengeance be. One way or the other, though, this is a disturbingly dark and depressing story that nonetheless packs considerable emotional punch and delivers some really interesting stylistic adornments along the way. Technical merits are generally solid and the on disc supplements very enjoyable. Recommended.
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