Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale Blu-ray Movie Review

The epic in top form.

Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale occurs between the second and third season of the anime series. The anime feature-film expands upon the storytelling universe established in the television series. Produced by Yousuke Futami (Record of Grancrest War, Haganai: I Don't Have Many Friends), Muneyuki Kanbe (Tokyo Godfathers, Konohana Kitan), Shin'ichirô Kashiwada (Fate/Zero, The Irregular at Magic High School), and Kazuma Miki (Sword Art Online, A Certain Scientific Railgun), Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale brings exciting adventure to the forefront of the Sword Art Online storytelling universe.

Kirito (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) finds himself on a new mission within the realm of the virtual reality world. There are surprising obstacles in store for Kirito as he enters new and surprising territory. The stakes are raised when Kirito discovers a deep conspiracy unfolding within the landscape of the virtual world.

Ordinal Scale is a new augmented reality game within the Augma system and the virtual reality realm is pushed to its limits from within the game. Available to the public as an alternative option to the AmuSphere, experiencing the virtual-world will never be quite the same again (as the system brings changes). Exploring the game, Kirito is joined by Asuna Yuuki (Haruka Tomatsu) and Yui (Kanae Itô). With challenging obstacles awaiting them, Yui searches for a special orb while Asuna helps out with the big boss.

The feature-film expands on the series and brings some compelling action sequences to the forefront. The action is one of the central reasons to check out the feature-film: Ordinal Scale has some of the absolute best fight scenes. The epic battles make the experience of the feature-film all the more fun and rewarding for audiences. There is something uniquely compelling about the way these sequences were staged and there is a sense of grandiose ambition within the framework of the story.

The animation in Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale is exceptional as well. The animation is ushered in from art director Takayuki Nagashima (Sword Art Online, Sword Art Online: Extra Edition). Establishing the groundwork for an exiting chapter in the Sword Art Online saga, Nagashima imbues everything in the animation with a sense of gravitas and epic scope. There is something compelling about the animated virtual-reality and the manner in which it brings these fantastical settings to life. Every animator involved in the production managed to help bring something fun and unique to the table.

The battle stage is wide open.

The score composed by Yuki Kajiura (Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train, Puella Magi Madoka Magica) is one of the best components of the production. The score is epic in scope and has an ambitious aura. The music provides the right balance of adrenaline- pumping fun and charm as necessary for the storytelling universe to reach the height of potential. The score is a fun backdrop to the action sequences and fits the material well. Kajiura does a sold job with the score.

The cinematography by Kentaro Waki (Sword Art Online, Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky) is first- rate and brings the production to even greater heights. The visual element of the film is exceptional. The cinematographic component is one of the most essential cores of the production. Everything about the cinematography shines bright and enhances the aesthetic of the feature. A wonderful aesthetic which stays true to the original series while bringing some new ideas to the production table.

Edited by Shigeru Nishiyama (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars), Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale is a well-cut film. The pace and rhythm of the film is first-rate and there is a nice sense of style to the production. The edit is nicely balanced and manages to help the storytelling weave the right spell on audiences. A solid editing job.

Directed by Tomohiko Itô (Sword Art Online, Silver Spoon), who co-wrote the screenplay with Reki Kawahara (Sword Art Online, Accel World), Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale is a hugely entertaining action-adventure spectacle. The film has amazing visuals and the screenplay has fun exploring the virtual reality setting. Director Tomohiko Itô understands the concept and material thoroughly and manages to bring unique charms to the production. A must-see for series fans.

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Aniplex of America, Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The presentation is first-rate. The release includes a high bit-rate presentation and the encode quality certainly impresses throughout. The encode is exceptional and doesn't struggle with presenting the material at its absolute best. The video-quality is first-rate here and color reproduction looks great. There is certainly a lot to appreciate about the encode and the effort undertaken by Aniplex of America.

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release includes two audio options: the original Japanese in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound (in lossless, high-resolution 24 bit depth) with English subtitles and the English dubbed version in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The high-resolution audio sounds fantastic on this release. When played back with a high-end Marantz receiver, the audio sounded exceptionally clear and crisp. Dialogue was easy to understand. The soundstage was expansive and engaging. The surrounds were enveloping and well balanced.

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Sword Art Offline: Ordinal Scale (HD, 14:26)

PV & CM Collections (HD, 9:32)

Audio Commentary

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale is an entertaining and exciting feature-film in the epic saga. The feature is expertly directed by Tomohiko Itô and the filmmaking balances the action-packed spectacle with the character-moments. The Aniplex of America Blu-ray release has a first-rate presentation (audio and video are equally exceptional). The release includes a nice set of extras. Recommended.