7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A man who is attacked at random on the street and enlists in a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, Imogen Poots, Steve Terada, Phillip Andre BotelloDark humor | 100% |
Martial arts | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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