Ronin
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Sean Bean, Stellan Skarsgard
Directed: John Frankenheimer
Studio: Arrow Video
Format: Blu-Ray
Disc Release Date: August 29, 2017
About:
RONIN. Noun, historical. A samurai who no longer serves a daimyo, or feudal lord.
From director John Frankenheimer (Reindeer Games, The Manchurian Candidate) comes Ronin, a pulse-pounding, action-packed crime thriller featuring an all-star cast headlined by Robert De Niro (Taxi Driver, Heat) and Jean Reno (Léon: The Professional).
On a rain-swept night in Paris, an international crack team of professional thieves assembles, summoned by a shady crime syndicate fronted by the enigmatic Deirdre (Natascha McElhone, The Devil s Own). Their mission: to steal a heavily guarded briefcase from armed mobsters, its contents undisclosed. But what begins as a routine heist soon spirals into chaos, with the group beset by a series of double-crosses and constantly shifting allegiances, and it falls to world-weary former CIA strategist Sam (De Niro) and laconic Frenchman Vincent (Reno) to hold the mission together.
A latter-day return to form for Frankenheimer, the film evokes the same gritty milieu as classic 70s crime fare like The French Connection, in addition to anticipating the early 21st century trend towards more grounded, realistic action movies, exemplified by the likes of the Bourne franchise. Arrow Video is proud to present Ronin in a brand new, cinematographer-approved 4K restoration, allowing this jewel in the crown of 90s thriller cinema to shine like never before.
My Review:
Ronin is an Action Thriller that’s like Heat and Usual Suspects combined. Not much to say about this classic but if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re a person who doesn’t like movies. This film has about everything including great acting via the tag-team duo Robert De Niro and Jean Reno. De Niro Plays a guy who doesn’t show his card but you just know he is bad ass as he tests the group of people he is working with to perform a Heist.
The story is pretty great with tons action, gun fights and car chase scenes along with the planing and brain games of pulling of a heist. The film also has a few twists and turns. But you should know this already. The main thing about this review is, if you should buy this release via Arrow Video. I have the first release on Blu-Ray and this one release from Arrow is definitely better in Quality. The art works better, more Extras and more importantly the picture quality is great on Blu-Ray. Sharp, vivid colors and Sound that is crisp. The film looks new and for me this is the version to get if you have not picked this up yet. Should you replace this one with the first release? If you’re an Arrow Video collector of some one who wants to see the film in top Quality 1080p I say yes.
Overall the film is a great view. Not 5 out of 5 but close. I planed on skimming the film for this review since I’ve seen the film a few months ago but the films so good I couldn’t. I needed to re watch it fully and was happy to.
With that said i give this film a 4.5 out of 5. It’s a must have for collectors and movie viewers. Pick it up.
Extras:
- Brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative produced by Arrow Video exclusively for this release, supervised and approved by director of photography Robert Fraisse
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
- Original English 5.1 audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary by director John Frankenheimer
- Brand new video interview with director of photography Robert Fraisse
- Paul Joyce documentary on Robert De Niro
- Ronin: Filming in the Fast Lane, an archival behind-the-scenes featurette
- Through the Lens, an archival interview with Robert Fraisse
- The Driving of Ronin, an archival featurette on the film s legendary car stunts
- Natascha McElhone: An Actor s Process, an archival interview with the actress
- Composing the Ronin Score, an archival interview with composer Elia Cmiral
- In the Ronin Cutting Room, an archival interview with editor Tony Gibbs
- Venice Film Festival interviews with Robert De Niro, Jean Reno and Natascha McElhone
- Alternate ending
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
- FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector s booklet illustrated by Chris Malbon, featuring new writing on the film by critic Travis Crawford
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