Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Revenge Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 26, 2024

Note: This film is available on Blu-ray as part of Radiance's Shinobi set.

Years ago FUNimation, a label almost exclusively associated with anime, kind of unexpectedly released a live action film (albeit one steeped in an intentionally cartoonish ambience) and I began my Goemon Blu-ray review of that release by kind of joking about the many different cinematic versions of Robin Hood (kind of hilariously, that link points to a version that came out after my Goemon review). I guess I could start this review of Radiance's release of the first three so-called Shinobi films by kind of joking about the many different cinematic versions of Goemon there are, since these three films do indeed center on that legendary Japanese character, who, maybe just a bit like Robin Hood, seems to have been culled from both historical and fictional elements. There's still considerable scholarly debate about how "real" Robin Hood may or may not have been, but there's little question that there was indeed a 16th century ninja named Ishikawa Goemon (Raizô Ichikawa), who really rather quite like the behaviors often attributed to Robin Hood and his Merry Men, "stole from the rich and gave to the poor". Rather interestingly, at least within the confines of my review queue, I'm also currently getting through the new Eureka! release of Prison Walls: Abashiri Prison I-III, another trilogy of Japanese films where several of the supplements discuss the incredibly rapid production pace for those particular films, all coming out within a year of each other. Something very similar was at play with regard to these first three Shinobi outings (there were several more to follow, which one assumes Radiance may be bringing out at some point), with all three debuting between December 1962 and December 1963.

If Band of Assassins saw Goemon as a virtual pawn in any number of intrigues, Revenge starts to develop the idea of Goemon slowly taking control of his own destiny, albeit only after fate has dealt him an absolutely devastating blow (which in and of itself kind of reinforces Goemon's initial powerlessness). There's also a none too subtle but still rather resonant subplot of Goemon becoming "another" Nobunaga Oda (Tomisaburô Wakayama) in his attempts to wipe out his nefarious enemy.

This is probably a much more viscerally intense film than its predecessor, especially once the action element kicks in (no ninja pun intended). The personal "stakes" for Goemon give this a decided emotional edge that the first film lacked, but even given that, there seems to have been a deliberate attempt to up the violence, ninja "hijinks", and general sense of mayhem.

Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shinobi: Revenge is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Radiance Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.43:1. Radiance's insert booklet only offers some generic verbiage in its transfer notes, as follows:

Each film in the Shinobi series was transferred in high definition by the Kadokawa Corporation and supplied to Radiance Films as high definition digital masters.

This is another very appealing looking transfer, one that offers secure contrast (if, again as with the first film, an arguably overall slightly dark appearance), and commendable detail levels in at least midrange and (especially) close-up framings. A number of effects sequences, including the horrifying fire at the film's opening, can offer elements like smoke and mist, and again as with the first film, potential compression stumbling blocks are largely avoided. There are some more noticeable anamorphic oddities in this presentation than the first (look at the edges of the frame in screenshot 3 for one example). Minor damage has made it through whatever restoration gauntlet was undertaken, but nothing I'd term overly problematic. Grain resolves naturally throughout.

Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Shinobi: Revenge features DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono in the original Japanese. Once again as with the first film there's noticeable hiss from the get go, though what might initially seem to be crackling distortion like in the first film turns out to be the actual crackling of a fire. That said, t explosions in the same scene have minor distortion and some of the really astringent modern score reveals signs of slight wobbliness as well. Sound effects like galloping horses or ninjas climbing through treetops resonate well, if as with the entire track, a bit on the boxy side. Dialogue is cleanly and clearly presented. Optional English subtitles are available.

Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Radiance has packaged these films with Band of Assassins and Revenge sharing a disc, and Resurrection on its own separate disc, with the following supplements:

Disc One (Band of Assassins / Revenge)

• Shozo Ichiyama (HD; 14:05) is a really interesting piece which features the Program Director of the Tokyo International Film Festival discussing the life and work of director Satsuo Yamamoto, including an emphasis on the Shinobi series. Ichiyami mentions Yamamoto's relatively few period films, but his overall interest in highlighting travails of the so-called "common man". There's some interesting sidebar information about what was going on at various Japanese film studios during the general timeframe of the production of these films. Subtitled in English.

Disc Two (Resurrection)

• A Brief History of Japanese Ninja Films (HD; 18:11) is an indispensable aid by Mance Thompson which helps to explain the context of these films within the history of the Japanese movie industry in general.


• Toshiaki Sato (HD; 14:18) discusses the life and career of Raizo Ichikawa, which is yet another fascinating "tragic life of a movie star" story. Subtitled in English.


• Trailers

  Shinobi: Band of Assassins (HD; 2:19)

  
  

  Shinobi 2: Revenge (HD; 2:19)

  
  

  Shinobi 3: Resurrection (HD; 2:31)

Additionally, Radiance has packaged this release nicely, with a handsome yellow slipbox enclosing two keepcases. One keepcase encloses a very nicely appointed insert booklet with new and archival writing, while the other keepcase encloses six postcards. Radiance includes its Obi strip on the slipbox.

Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's that oft quoted phenomenon called "the sophomore slump", but I think many would be hard pressed to find this second film in the Shinobi series a letdown, and in fact I'd argue pretty strongly that in the emotional department as well as the action side of things, it probably easily outpaces its predecessor. Technical merits are generally solid with a few caveats, and the supplements very enjoyable. Recommended.