Audio/Video. The non-anamorphic widescreen video looks pretty good. It is a touch soft and the colors are not all that bright, but the detail is pretty good. For a low-budget movie, this is a good transfer. The audio is also pretty good. It is not terribly dynamic, but both the English dub and original Japanese tracks have decent volume and are clear. Where it shines is in the sound design, things like ricochet bullets and metal on metal contact, when there is likely no metal at all!
Extras. There are a few trailers for other Tokyo Shock titles and some production stills. The highlight of the extras section is the original theatrical cut (the main feature is the director's cut). It has no dub track, only Japanese (no problem with that). This version runs more than twenty minutes shorter: it doesn't even run an hour! A lot of stuff was cut for the theatrical release, particularly with the rebels. It feels too short and lacking in substance next to the director's cut, but it is still cool to have.
Bottomline. I like this movie. It is sort of cheesy, distinctly cheap, and all fun. If you can appreciate low-budget genre film making, do yourself a favor and give this title a shot. Highlights include the tail end of the soldiers' raid on the rebels (won't give it away), and a tender moment between Hakaider and the rebel Kaoru (listen to the English track and turn on the subs).
Recommended.
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