Codec: HEVC / H.265 (42.5 Mb/s)
Resolution: Upscaled 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
#Japanese: Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
#Japanese: Dolby Digital 5.1
#English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Samurai Fury (Muromachi Outsiders) is a modern take on Seven Samurai, but it doesn't really capture the essence of the original. The film attempts to combine social commentary, coming-of-age drama, and large-scale popular uprising, but due to abrupt changes in tone and uncertainty in the narrative, it feels uneven.
The plot tells the story of Hasude Hyoe, a ronin who was the first to raise a popular uprising during the Muromachi period. He takes under his wing a reckless but talented young man named Saizo and trains him. The first half of the film is based on their relationship and Saizo's personal growth.
The main problems with the film are the lack of a clear antagonist, the unclear motives of the characters, and the chaotic shift in mood from comedy to drama and action. The second half turns into a chaotic attempt to replicate Seven Samurai: too many new characters appear, and the narrative loses focus. The action scenes are filmed inexpressively, with a shaky camera and weak CGI.
Despite this, the acting, especially by Kento Nagao, stands out in a positive way, and the atmosphere of the Muromachi period is conveyed convincingly. As a result, Samurai Fury remains an average action movie without integrity: not bad, but not interesting enough to stand out.