Why So Blu?

The Warrior’s Way (Blu-ray Review)

I remember seeing a trailer for The Warrior’s Way not too long ago and was not very impressed by what I saw.  I don’t know if it was the mood I was in, or if it was the attitude of, “not another one of these Hong Kong imports,” etc.  I did see some familiar faces in it like Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush, and Danny Huston.  I also saw an unfamiliar face in that of Jang Dong Gun.  Who?  That’s what I said.  It also dawned on me that the film was also being sold on the backs of the primary American cast.  Hey, it’s business.  I’m sure they sold it the other way around in Asia.  Once I got word that I was going to review the Blu-ray I got kind of excited.  I tried not to read to much on the film itself, because  I wanted to be surprised.  Did the film succeed in keeping me entertained?  Was it any good in general?  All these questions shall be answered in our Blu-ray review for The Warrior’s Way.

Film 

The Warrior’s Way is the story of “the world’s most dangerous fighter” (Jang Dong Gun) who could also be considered the sword fighter with no name.  If we were to get technical.  This legendary sword fighter has killed every single member of a warring tribe.  All except one.  A baby girl.  Unable to finish the deed in killing the child, the sword fighter takes the baby and sets sail to America.  He knows that he will be followed to the ends of the Earth until that child is dead.

It doesn’t get that much better in America.  Assassins are at every turn, but it’s his uber quick senses that keep him alive.  He settles up in a solitary town filled with circus freaks and geeks.  Along the way he meets the cute and very attractive Lynne (Kate Bosworth) and the drunk and degenerate Ronald (Geoffrey Rush).  The town takes him in with open arms.

What the mysterious sword fighter did not count on was The Colonel (Danny Huston).  Here is one of the most despicable villains in recent memory.  He’s got an iron fist grapple on the poor town.  I could not wait for his character to get his comeuppance.

The Warrior’s Way had me grinning like a moron for most of its running time.  From the opening until the very end, I was hooked!  This is what  a true live action anime looks like, if there ever was one.  The fight choreography and staging of the action was most impressive.  It literally was a living, breathing anime.  And not just anime.  Here’s another film that blends multiple genres all at once.  It’s an anime, samurai, western, steampunk film.  They didn’t skimp on the dramatic elements either.  Watching the poor townsfolk take crap from The Colonel was very uncomfortable.

The Warrior’s Way was shot entirely in New Zealand on various locations and green screen sound stages.  The film was never boring, but the level of action and excitement was obscene!  I may not have known who Jang Dong Gun was, but after watching him make sushi out of the enemy he is a new force to be reckoned with in cinema.

 

Video 

The Warrior’s Way is presented in 1080p 2.40:1 widescreen.  The image is pristine.  Flesh tones look clean and natural, but since the film was shot mostly on a green screen set there are many fluctuations with regards to colors.  Sometimes they look bold and beautiful, and sometimes they look subdued and processed.  Contrast runs a bit on the hot side, but like the color, it also fluctuates depending on what is going on in the film.  It’s as if the color design is on a timer.  There is a very thin layer of grain that properly balances out the film.  The print is free from dirt and scratches, as well.  The Warrior’s Way looks damn good!

Audio 

The Warrior’s Way is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1.  Okay, I’m really starting to get used to these reference audio tracks that are being afforded to the Blu-ray format!  This is what it’s all about.  Dialogue is clear and crisp at all times.  The swordplay action sounds amazingly realistic, as do the instances of full blown western antics.  The Warrior’s Way is no slouch.  There is one scene towards the latter part of the film where our hero is in a hallway cutting down henchmen to pieces and this one henchman pulls out a steampunk-like mini gun and goes to work before he gets cut down.  As he goes down, the mini gun spins around demolishing other henchmen, along with the walls, that you can hear (and feel) the bullets obliterate the hallway in every speaker.  The sound designers went all out on this lossless track!  I reckon it’s demo worthy.

Special Features

The Warrior’s Way has no special features worthy of note.  There are some deleted scenes and a short behind the scenes look at the film.  That’s pretty much it.

• Deleted Scenes
• Behind-the-Scenes Montage

Final Thoughts 

The Warrior’s Way is  big on adventure and one could even say that it is a fable of sorts.  There’s a high level of elegance to it.  Yes, it’s even a bit on the whimsical side.  I think all of the genres that it used were blended in properly, so as not be jumbled or distracting.  If you’re a samurai, anime, western, steampunk, fan then you really owe it to yourself to check out The Warrior’s Way on Blu-ray.  Considering that the theatrical marketing was horrible, I hope it gets a second life on the Blu-ray format.

 

 

Order The Warrior’s Way on Blu-ray!