Iron Girl: Final Wars Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.0

Iron Girl: Final Wars Blu-ray Movie Review

The third feature-film in the Iron Girl franchise.

Iron Girl: Final Wars is the third feature-film produced in the Iron Girl trilogy. The Japanese action film is produced by Riku Sumida (Grave of Love), and Yusuke Suzuki (Tokyo Dragon Chef) alongside associate producer Konomi Sasaki. The film showcases high-octane action with the star-of-the-franchise, Asuka Kirara, returning to her role. Fans of the series will want to find out what happens next.

Iron Girl (Asuka Kirara) is a cyborg fighting for her past memories to return. Having survived a near apocalypse, Iron Girl returns to her heroic ways – and away from her quiet life as “Chris” (while she fights for the future of the planet and the salvation of civilization). Iron Girl soon meets resistance-fighter Joe (Aoyagi Kazuya) and the journey becomes even more action-packed. As the duo begin working alongside one another, Iron Girl learns of the development of an artificial intelligence code-named JUDA which has been trying to have cyborgs sent out to kill her.

Meanwhile, a mysterious girl with a unique role in resolving the mystery of JUDA, Sarah (Amaki Jun) is discovered – and she has been having dreams of meeting Joe (despite the two never having met in the real-world). What role does Sarah have in unraveling the mystery of the artificial intelligence system, JUDA? Can Iron Girl survive her cyborg assassins and save the world once more?

An over-the-top action feature, Iron Girl: Final Wars is far from being some kind of cinematic classic. The performances are average- at-best and mundane from beginning to end. Asuka Kirara delivers a decidedly mediocre performance as Iron Girl and never manages to showcase any range at all as an actress. Co-star Aoyagi Kazuya is similarly average and never brings any depth to the performance. The actors are about as impressive as what one would expect to find on a soap opera.

The production is similarly average-at-best and never shines as well as a higher-budget production may have. The production design by Chris Ryo Kaihara (Erotibot, Shura no onna) is underwhelming and is no more impressive than a standard-episode of a low-budget television production. The sets and CGI were never remarkable or particularly noteworthy. An average effort that never shines.

Time to kick some butt.

The cinematography by Tetsuro Imai (Dragon Emperor, Step Up Love Story: Triple Love and Love Forever) is polished but absurdist throughout. The visual style is decent-enough but it never shines: everything about it seems average throughout. The visuals have a digital aesthetic that feels hollow. Though the argument between film and digital has some positive attributes on both sides of the fence, a film with cinematography like this one – shows how film easily wins in a landslide still.

The score composed by Ippei Yogo (Sex Adventure: Wonder Eros, Dragon Black) is yet-another odd and lackluster effort. The music never manages to imbue the filmmaking with any sense of depth or wonder. The score is merely adequate background music and nothing more. There are no character themes to shine and feel connected to. A lackluster score.

The editing by Rui Ishii (Busjack Returns, Ukiyoe Artist) never makes a solid impression. The production seems poorly paced. The cut is underwhelming and the editing could certainly have been better. Even from the opening sequence, the scenes flow poorly and lack a sense of cohesion. Many minutes could have easily been cut from the run-time with no impact whatsoever to the plot. Truly absurd.

If there is one positive to the production, it is that some of the action sequences directed by Takanori Shibahara (Flower and Snake, Black Angel: Volume 1) are decent-enough. Though the action is far from extraordinary, there is some nice staging and it is clear Shibahara put in some real effort. If someone wants to see the film for the action alone, Iron Girl: Final Wars has some OK scenes.

The screenplay by Yasutoshi Murakawa (Jaws in Japan, Happy Mail) is arguably the worst thing about the film. Iron Girl: Final Wars is about as imaginative as paint drying. The script has terrible dialogue and wooden characterization. The plot-line is absurdist and never makes a big impression. Though no one probably watches a movie like Iron Girl: Final Wars for the script, the results are still lackluster.

Ken'ichi Fujiwara (Lady Ninja: A Blue Shadow, Iron Girl: Ultimate Weapon) directs. Iron Girl: Final Wars is a showcase for the mediocrity of Fujiwara. The director relies heavily on showcasing actress Asuka Kirara in sexy outfits and action-poses. It is as though Fujiwara has no other idea of how to direct a film – and the results are unexpectedly mediocre as a result. Unless one is a big fan of the franchise: skip it.

Iron Girl: Final Wars Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Switchblade Pictures, Iron Girl: Final Wars is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The film has exceptional picture-quality for a lower-budget genre production and the encode on the release is top-notch from start to finish. However, Iron Girl: Final Wars is often somewhat underwhelming – looking like a cheap made- for-television film from a production standpoint – it doesn't have first-rate color or contrast but these elements are partly due to cinematographic decisions.

Iron Girl: Final Wars Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound mix is surprisingly robust throughout the presentation: loud and bombastic. The lossless audio quality is certainly superb and dynamic. Even so, the audio track lacks imagination and creativity but the clarity present throughout the mix is worthy. The entire sound mix sounds like something one would expect from a low-budget genre production. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and easy to understand. English subtitles are provided.

Iron Girl: Final Wars Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There are no supplemental features provided on the release – not even a theatrical trailer or trailers to promote other releases available from the distributor.

Iron Girl: Final Wars Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Iron Girl: Final Wars is a boring and trite science-fiction action film. The third film produced in the franchise, Iron Girl: Final Wars lacks imagination. The production is average-at-best and is largely underwhelming to behold. Aside from a few decent action scenes staged by choreographer Takanori Shibahara (Flower and Snake) and the abundant sexiness of leading actress Asuka Kirara, Iron Girl: Final Wars fails majestically. Only for fans of the franchise looking to see the third installment. Skip It.