The Defensive Power of Aikido Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

The Defensive Power of Aikido Blu-ray Movie Review

The Defensive Power of Aikido is an action-packed gem based on and inspired by a true story. Although the story has been fictionalized, The Defensive Power of Aikido explores the gripping true tale about the origin of Aikido. Produced by Norimichi Matsudaira (Yakuza Graveyard, Samurai Wolf) and Hisakazu Uesaka (Hacchôbori no shichinin, Bakumatsu kôkôsei), The Defensive Power of Aikido features performances by Sonny Chiba, Jirô Chiba, Yôko Koizumi, Ryûnosuke Kaneda, and Tsunehiko Watase.

Morihei Ueshiba (Jirô Chiba) is a simple martial artist living in a family residing in a farming community. The family might seem simple on the surface – each living a farmer’s life – but Morihei Ueshiba has different plans for his future. Morihei Ueshiba decides to start to master his own martial arts skills and pursue his own craft as he develops the Aikido way of martial arts.

Aikido is a different type of elevated martial arts and one that requires more discipline and artistry. Morihei Ueshiba also learns more about his martial arts skills with the aid of his martial artist brother (performed by the master himself: Sonny Chiba). Can Aikido martial arts gain recognition as one of the best forms of martial arts?

Sonny Chiba delivers a noteworthy performance in The Defensive Power of Aikido. Sonny Chiba is a first-rate actor and performer for the genre. Chiba has a great time with the compelling part in the film. A solid role for the iconic actor.

The production is well-done. The Defensive Power of Aikido features solid art direction by Yoshikazu Sano (Nippon no Don: Yabohen, Kataku no hito). The production merits make a strong impression. Production design and art direction merits add a lot to the aesthetic qualities of the filmmaking.

The cinematography by Kenji Tsukagoshi (The Street Fighter, A Savage Beast Goes Mad) is one of the strong points of the feature-film. The Defensive Power of Aikido is a beautiful looking gem of a film, showcasing the first-rate cinematography of Tsukagoshi. The cinematography shines and adds an abundance of character to the filmmaking.

Edited by Tadao Kanda (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture, A Savage Beast Goes Mad), The Defensive Power of Aikido is a well-edited feature-film exploring the true tale in a unique manner. A well-paced film and one that uses its run-time well. The editing in The Defensive Power of Aikido capably helps to showcase the story.

The score composed by Toshiaki Tsushima (Night Train, The Fall of Ako Castle) impresses with engaging music. The score has plenty of gusto and energy for the production. Tsushima has a lot of fun with the production and the music accompanies the action quite nicely.

Written by Seikou Shimura (Ninja Gangsters IV: The Mysterious Golden Castle, A Samurai's Sorrow: The Deadly Sword) and Kôji Takada (Yakuza Ladies: Burning Desire, The Fall of Ako Castle), The Defensive Power of Aikido is well-penned script. The characterizations are compelling. The script has fun with dialogue and bringing compelling moments to the screen. A solid effort by Shumura and Takada.

Directed by Shigehiro Ozawa (The Street Fighter, Return of the Street Fighter), The Defensive Power of Aikido remembers to keep a lot of the focus on the stylized energy of the filmmaking. The film has a compelling visual style brought to life by Ozawa. The result is a more compelling film and one that enthusiasts of action films starring Sonny Chiba won’t want to miss.

The Defensive Power of Aikido Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, The Defensive Power of Aikido is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The scan impresses overall with a decent looking presentation. The transfer does have occasional specks and isn't pristine but the transfer still retains enough of a filmic aesthetic to please. The transfer is mostly clean looking and well-defined. A solid encoding by Shout Factory.

The Defensive Power of Aikido Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (with English subtitles). The lossless audio quality does a solid job highlighting the soundstage and sound presentation. Dialogue is well reproduced. The audio track is clear and the score is well reproduced. The English subtitles are impressive and free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

The Defensive Power of Aikido Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Trailer (HD, 3:17)

The Defensive Power of Aikido Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Defensive Power of Aikido is an entertaining action film and one with a strong performance by star Sonny Chiba. The Defensive Power of Aikido has a lot of wonderful production merits and the directing works quite well. The Blu-ray release features a solid video- audio presentation. The release also comes with the theatrical trailer. Recommended.