Watari, Ninja Boy Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

Watari, Ninja Boy Blu-ray Movie Review

Watari the Ninja Boy is an exciting action-adventure classic. Produced by Hiroshi Ohkawa (Miyamoto Musashi, Animal Treasure Island), Watari the Ninja Boy is an essential gem. The classic adventure is based on the original manga and work – from Sampei Shirato.

A battle stage has been set. An era of war between sides has begun. Two warring clans are now doing battle with each other. Both sides are in a constant state of war between each other and each side is determined to be the victor.

The leaders of the clans are causing even more commotion and evil. A young warrior known as the Ninja boy Watari is the one hero who can help stop the constant battle between the sides. Can war be put to an end?

The cast of characters includes Watari (Yoshinobu Kaneko), Tsuyuki (Chiyoko Honma), Kazura (Toshitaka Kato), Shikanme (Fuyukichi Maki), Shindo no Kotaro (Kunio Murai), Momochi Sandayu (Asao Uchida), and Otowa no Kido (Ryûtarô Ôtomo). The performances add to the filmmaking style in spades. The performances are entertaining and the cast has terrific fun with their roles.

Composed by Hirooki Ogawa (The Last Death of the Devil, Tokyo Mighty Guy), Watari the Ninja Boy has an excellent score by Ogawa. The music for Watari the Ninja Boy helps bring so much energy to the filmmaking. The score a great backdrop to the action sequences.

The cinematography by Shigeru Akatsuka (Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon, The Shogun Assassins) is engaging and delivers a stunning vista for the production. Akatsuka is a gifted cinematographer – someone with a knack for the art of filmmaking. The beautiful photography brings so much joy.

The art direction by Seiji Yada (Red Peony Gambler: Here Comes Oryu, Magic Serpent) is top-notch. The fantastic art style adds to the filmmaking. Yada delivers a fun sense of old-school adventure to the fun genre film.

Edited by Tadao Kanda (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture, Terrifying Girls' High School: Animal Courage), Watari the Ninja Boy is a well-edited action-adventure. The pace is exciting and the flow of the storytelling is top-notch. Kanda is a gifted editor and compiles the footage in an excellent way.

Written by Shunichi Nishimura (Tono Eijirô no Mito Kômon), Watari the Ninja Boy is a fun script. The dialogue is well-done and the characterizations are fun. The sense of adventure is superb.

Directed by Sadao Funatoko (Onmitsu Kenshi, Onmitsu kenshi), Watari the Ninja Boy is well worth seeing. Watari the Ninja Boy has all the right ingredients for a fun classic action film. The style of filmmaking is engaging throughout.

Watari, Ninja Boy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released by Shout Factory, Watari the Ninja Boy is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The release provides a crisp, enjoyable, and pleasing high-definition transfer. The transfer looks naturally filmic and has an impressively clean print quality. There is little in the way of print damage or wear to the film presentation.

Watari, Ninja Boy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (with English subtitles). The release provides an excellent sounding lossless audio presentation. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The soundtrack is well reproduced. A superb audio encoding.

Watari, Ninja Boy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Trailer (HD, 3:20)

Watari, Ninja Boy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Watari the Ninja Boy is a fun old-school ninja classic. The filmmaking is entertaining and there is a lot to appreciate about the production. The Blu-ray release features a solid presentation with lossless audio. Recommended.