Ronin
What?
A fast paced action flick with gallant debonair, Ronin finally lands on the other side of the Atlantic for those who hastened to pull the trigger. Previously released in the UK on an undersupplied BD, Ronin finally arrives in the US with only a trifling upgrade. It was a very sought after import for US Blu-ray aficionados, and with good cause. When a group of hired mercenaries are too clever to be double-crossed, their only real option is to fight back and climb the chain of command until they get what they were promised. Ronin packs a fierce punch with nail biting car chases, zealous gunfights, and witty, well-written dialogue. A high-speed, head-on, hardboiled motion picture has become a breakthrough, well-known Action movie that plays proficiently time and again. Ronin is representative of its genre and is truly at the top of its class.
John Frankenheimer has shatter-proofed the action genre in the past and he now manages to reinvigorate audiences’ appreciation for another edge of your seat, spirited adventure. His accessible yet refined directorial chic only compounds the on screen ferocity of action. Rather reminiscent of car chases and action circa the French Connections, Frankenheimer’s adept expertise brings an old world Hollywood spice into the now humdrum corporate filmmaking game. With other words, Ronin’s direction harkens back to intricate, MacGuffin objective plots when acting, action, and anxiety-riddled suspense proved to be a winning combination. Frankenheimer allows the scenes to play out with rather long takes; unorthodox for contemporary directors who stop, cut, and reframe a scene every ten seconds.
Guiding Ronin into the upper echelon of brilliant action films alongside the ingenious John Frankenheimer is a knockout cast whose performances should please any movie lover. Audiences feel very comfortable with these actors and are easily brought into the created fictional world of renowned direction John Frankenheimer. Though some may say that the very addition of huge stars like De Niro detract from the viewing experience by having a readily recognizable celebrity on screen. With Ronin however, this really isn’t an issue, as I tended to welcome De Niro and Jean Rino’s presence on screen. Great direction plus great acting simply equate to a great film.
Optics:
While Ronin’s 1080p visuals aren’t the most spectacular, they aren’t as bad as critics assert. Granted, sharpness levels are low when compared to reference material and colors are faint, but Ronin’s picture has many redeeming qualities. The cinematography was aesthetically intended to preserve a natural, film-like image that includes the obligatory coat of thick grain. With that, acute epidermal detail is meticulous and consistently strong as is the overall condition of the print. The exquisite European city streets as well as the romantic countryside are both stunningly rendered on this single layered, 25GB Blu-ray disc. Ronin isn’t a visually frenzied motion picture, but it is also nowhere near as bad in quality as many suggest. Ronin’s exacting picture quality and drab color scheme ranks among other middle-of-the-road transfers.
Sonics:
What a powerful track! I was practically taken aback by this DTS-HD lossless soundtrack. The 5.1 Master Audio comes through especially well and is definitely the strongest aspect to this disc. Satisfying every criterion within the elemental realm of action pictures, Ronin’s main appeal is its honed and versatile sonic section that comes through ardently on this Blu-ray. My bass dealt out much of the intensity as the exuberant soundfield seemed to be active from start to finish. Couple this with a soundstage that can produce unspoiled dialogue, and that amounts to some fine audio delegation.
Extras:
All that’s here are a few MGM trailers and a lonely theatrical teaser for Ronin.
Well?
An intelligent and highly sophisticated motion picture, Ronin has blossomed into being one of the very best action films within the last two decades. Regrettably, the transfer is fairly unimpressive and feels as though it was rushed to the store shelves. If you must own this film, the Blu-ray comes as a sure-fire recommend. However, those with the DVD are advised to keep what they have and take a pass this time around.
Grant Iwan
A fast paced action flick with gallant debonair, Ronin finally lands on the other side of the Atlantic for those who hastened to pull the trigger. Previously released in the UK on an undersupplied BD, Ronin finally arrives in the US with only a trifling upgrade. It was a very sought after import for US Blu-ray aficionados, and with good cause. When a group of hired mercenaries are too clever to be double-crossed, their only real option is to fight back and climb the chain of command until they get what they were promised. Ronin packs a fierce punch with nail biting car chases, zealous gunfights, and witty, well-written dialogue. A high-speed, head-on, hardboiled motion picture has become a breakthrough, well-known Action movie that plays proficiently time and again. Ronin is representative of its genre and is truly at the top of its class.
John Frankenheimer has shatter-proofed the action genre in the past and he now manages to reinvigorate audiences’ appreciation for another edge of your seat, spirited adventure. His accessible yet refined directorial chic only compounds the on screen ferocity of action. Rather reminiscent of car chases and action circa the French Connections, Frankenheimer’s adept expertise brings an old world Hollywood spice into the now humdrum corporate filmmaking game. With other words, Ronin’s direction harkens back to intricate, MacGuffin objective plots when acting, action, and anxiety-riddled suspense proved to be a winning combination. Frankenheimer allows the scenes to play out with rather long takes; unorthodox for contemporary directors who stop, cut, and reframe a scene every ten seconds.
Guiding Ronin into the upper echelon of brilliant action films alongside the ingenious John Frankenheimer is a knockout cast whose performances should please any movie lover. Audiences feel very comfortable with these actors and are easily brought into the created fictional world of renowned direction John Frankenheimer. Though some may say that the very addition of huge stars like De Niro detract from the viewing experience by having a readily recognizable celebrity on screen. With Ronin however, this really isn’t an issue, as I tended to welcome De Niro and Jean Rino’s presence on screen. Great direction plus great acting simply equate to a great film.
Optics:
While Ronin’s 1080p visuals aren’t the most spectacular, they aren’t as bad as critics assert. Granted, sharpness levels are low when compared to reference material and colors are faint, but Ronin’s picture has many redeeming qualities. The cinematography was aesthetically intended to preserve a natural, film-like image that includes the obligatory coat of thick grain. With that, acute epidermal detail is meticulous and consistently strong as is the overall condition of the print. The exquisite European city streets as well as the romantic countryside are both stunningly rendered on this single layered, 25GB Blu-ray disc. Ronin isn’t a visually frenzied motion picture, but it is also nowhere near as bad in quality as many suggest. Ronin’s exacting picture quality and drab color scheme ranks among other middle-of-the-road transfers.
Sonics:
What a powerful track! I was practically taken aback by this DTS-HD lossless soundtrack. The 5.1 Master Audio comes through especially well and is definitely the strongest aspect to this disc. Satisfying every criterion within the elemental realm of action pictures, Ronin’s main appeal is its honed and versatile sonic section that comes through ardently on this Blu-ray. My bass dealt out much of the intensity as the exuberant soundfield seemed to be active from start to finish. Couple this with a soundstage that can produce unspoiled dialogue, and that amounts to some fine audio delegation.
Extras:
All that’s here are a few MGM trailers and a lonely theatrical teaser for Ronin.
Well?
An intelligent and highly sophisticated motion picture, Ronin has blossomed into being one of the very best action films within the last two decades. Regrettably, the transfer is fairly unimpressive and feels as though it was rushed to the store shelves. If you must own this film, the Blu-ray comes as a sure-fire recommend. However, those with the DVD are advised to keep what they have and take a pass this time around.
Grant Iwan
Director:
John Frankenheimer
Starring:
Robert De Niro
Jean Reno
Natascha McElhone
Sean Bean
Jonathan Pryce
Ron Perkins
Best line:
- "You ever kill anybody?" - "I hurt somebody’s feelings once."
Tagline:
"Your ally could become your enemy."
Description:
MGM
US
Region A
Rated R
2Hrs 2 Mins
2.35:1
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Trailers
Ratings: (Out of 10)
Film 9.0
Optics 7.0
Sonics 9.0
Extras 1.0
Overall 8.0
