Signal: The Movie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Signal: The Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 12, 2022

“Signal: The Movie” is a continuation of a Japanese television show that was originally created in South Korea. The programs are available on streaming channels, and watching them is sure to provide some much needed context as to what it going on. “Signal: The Movie” tends to throw viewers into the middle of the ongoing narrative, but it does clarify the premise of the series, where Sergeant Ooyama (Kazuki Kitamura) from the past magically connects with Lieutenant Saegusa (Kentaro Sakaguchi) of the present via a battery-less two-way radio. It’s a police procedural meets “Frequency,” with the big screen take basically resembling an episode of television entertainment.

Covert art for “Signal: The Movie” displays the characters with guns drawn, standing in front of an exploding city. The actual film isn’t that exciting, more interested in the crimes in play, with the two supercops teaming to prevent loss of life tied to the use of deadly gas. Information from 2009 becomes useful to the 2021 team, creating two time periods of sleuthing, taking the endeavor to the hour mark before something suitably thrilling happens, which helps take the picture to its conclusion. Along the way, accusations fly, suspects are confronted, and time with the two-way radio is shared, working on a relationship developed over the run of the original show.

Signal: The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is notable in the way it presents events from the past, adding a slight vertical stretch to the image during these sequences. Detail is sharp, providing a look at skin surfaces, especially during intense close-ups used throughout the feature. Police uniforms and business attire is fibrous, and distances with city chase sequences and office tours are dimensional. Greenery and interior decoration add some flavor to image, which dials down primaries in favor of a cooler palette. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Compression issues are periodic, resulting in some banding and blockiness.

Signal: The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides a clean understanding of dialogue exchanges, which, for a Japanese police show, rarely rise above slight agitation. Scoring supports with authority, offering a crisp digital orchestra sound, and soundtrack selections are nicely defined, with some low-end thump. Surrounds explore music cues and violent events, with gunfire offering some mild separation effects, and atmospherics are compelling.

Signal: The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Trailer (1:32, HD) is included.

Signal: The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Signal: The Movie" closes with an end credit song by supergroup BTS, which is probably the reason why this Blu-ray release is happening. Fans of the series are treated to an extended version of the show, which puts characters in danger and touches on some emotional connections. "Signal: The Movie" doesn't feature breathtaking action or top-notch suspense, but it does supply a crazy premise and works well with it at times, offering an admirably serious take on small-time sci-fi.