Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

The Art of Self-Defense Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 8, 2021

There’s much more to The Art of Self-Defense than its first-act story of a timid thirtysomething seeking a means of defending himself from life’s hassles and gradually growing into manhood. The film slowly reveals a hellish truth about a dojo, a sensei, and the human condition, about the lengths some find acceptable in order to promote a certain brand of physical, mental, and perhaps even spiritual toughness. The film, from Director Riley Stearns (Faults), explores the importance of self confidence and promotes one’s defensive capabilities but also studies, with a keen eye and sharp insight, the dangers of self-image extremism and the spirals that result from such ignoble pursuits.

Thirtysomething accountant Casey Davies (Jesse Eisenberg) is a timid, quiet, and emotionally and physically weak man who can’t stand up for himself, not physically and certainly not emotionally. He seeks no growth for himself. He is instead happy with his status quo which, from the outside looking in, at least, has the appearance of pitiful. But when he is brutally attacked one night, he realizes he’s going to need to change a few things if he’s going to have a chance in this world. His first decision is to buy a gun. There’s a waiting period, however, and in the interim he becomes interested in karate. He attends a class at a dojo operated by a man only known as “Sensei” (Alessandro Nivola) who teaches a select group of men and women in the martial arts. Casey is invited to attend a practice class and quickly decides karate is for him. He enrolls and finds himself instantly enamored with the art and the burgeoning confidence he finds in himself.

Casey becomes absorbed with Karate. He is quickly promoted to yellow belt, he practices his moves under his desk at work, and even buys his groceries based on the color of his belt. He gains confidence, too, and begins to confront some of life’s bullies, even if, at first, that same timid man shows back up in crunch time. But he gradually finds his inner strength and transforms into somebody else entirely. But is this the real Casey or is it a figment of his imagination, drawn out from the depths of his soul by a man who does not have Casey’s best interest at heart?

The film’s central theme revolves around Casey’s personality: who he was before karate and who he becomes after karate. He is, at first, perceived as an effeminate man. Even his name sounds feminine, he hears from multiple individuals, including Sensei. But Casey is comfortable in meekness until he seeks change and until he receives advice from Sensei that he project a personality that is “as masculine as possible.” That’s what’s going to bring him happiness, he’s told. He’ll need to give up his love for adult contemporary music and embrace Metal. He must forgo his fascination with France and embrace a more “muscular” country like Russia or Germany. Casey starts to headbang and takes up learning German. But will this satisfy his soul? Will this prepare him to defend himself, or is he slowly transforming into the very type of bully he originally sought to stand up to and face down? Casey’s transformation leaves him perhaps more vulnerable than before: vulnerable to suggestion, vulnerable to perpetrating rather than protecting himself from violence, and perhaps even vulnerable to something even darker brewing under the surface.

The film is well done as a character study and as a deeper exploration of the human condition. Eisenberg is terrific as the lead, building a character who probably does need to learn how to stand up for himself but who quickly transforms from reformed man to ravenous monster. Eisenberg always holds to at least a hint of the man he once was. Even as his exterior grows darker one can still see Casey in there, somewhere, and that he holds tight to what he knows deep down to be not just himself, but what is right, helps to guide him through a surprisingly dark turn in the third act that sees him facing something far more sinister than the street muggings he once feared. The movie is richly layered. It’s funny and dark at the same time and finds a voice with a worthwhile message on a number of relevant social topics and current events.

The Art of Self-Defense Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Universal's 1080p Blu-ray presentation for The Art of Self-Defense delivers a satisfying picture quality. The digital elements translate well to the format, presenting the core material with well versed texturing and clarity. Though some dense noise appears throughout, essential details are well functional, revealing faces and clothes with appropriate sharpness and finesse. The worn locker room at the dojo (and the "ladies changing room," for that matter) are well capable of revealing the wear and other authentic location details and densities they have to offer. Color output is hardly what one would label as "brilliant" but the palette is stable and reliable. Color density is average with appreciable depth to some of the more intense colors, like several examples of blood on white karate gis and, of course, the variously colored belts. There's no dazzle here but the palette is well saturated and very pleasing. Skin tones are fine and black levels are not overly problematic. There are no egregious source or encode issues beyond the aforementioned noise. This looks fine. It won't dazzle any seasoned Blu-ray viewer but it's to be commended for stability and accuracy to the source.

The Art of Self-Defense Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a reasonable listen. The film's sound design is not of particularly noteworthy depth and effort. It's a rather simple listen in the aggregate with basic cues driving much of the feature. In fact, it could be said to be downright reserved, particularly early on but amplifying a bit as necessary towards the end. Some of the deeper sound effects – to list them might construe spoilers for a couple of key scenes – do output with appreciable and appropriate heft and spacing. But some of the best moments are fun little exercises in atmosphere heard in places like a supermarket in chapter eight or Casey's office in a couple of scenes throughout. The film is primarily moved by its dialogue, though, and the spoken word raises no alarms. It's clear, stable, front placed, and well prioritized for the duration.

The Art of Self-Defense Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of The Art of Self-Defense includes a featurette and interviews. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release includes alternate artwork on the main cover reverse. No DVD copy is included. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

• An Important Message from Sensei (1080p, 4x3, 2:48): A vintage VHS-style promo for Sensei's 11-cassette audio motivational series, plus bonuses.
• Cast and Crew Interviews (1080p): Included are interviews with Jesse Eisenberg (4:19), Alessandro Nivola (4:30), Riley Stearns (4:58), and Imogen Poots (3:48). These are presented as if a blend of VHS and HD.

The Art of Self-Defense Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Art of Self-Defense is a fine little film with plenty to say on several contemporary topics including gender and masculinity. It shares its message in a film that blends together overt humor and an encroaching darkness but through an accessible narrative, well drawn characters, and excellent performances. Universal's Bu-ray delivers solid video and audio presentations which are supported by a small selection of bonus content. Recommended.