"Ronin" (Blu-ray)

Synopsis

After the Cold War was over, there were plenty of mercenaries looking for work. (Samurai were assigned to protect their "liege masters", and when that was finished, they roamed the country looking for opportunities to use their special crafts of fighting. They were then called "Ronin".)

An Irish woman, Deirdre (McElhone) gathers a handful of mercenaries in Paris, including Sam (DeNiro), Vincent (Reno), and several others, to steal a briefcase from someone who is protected by many armed guards.

So, the group sets up an ambush to get the briefcase, but unfortunately, the Russians want the item as well, and are prepared to do whatever it takes to get it.

Commentary

This is an older movie, and although made by a good action director, films were not quite so explicitly violent in those days, so the action is mostly car chases, shooting, and some explosions, without the carnage so prevalent in today's motion pictures. So, you actually might be a little bored by comparison, but the combination of Frankenheimer's direction, and the inclusion of Robert DeNiro makes it worth an evening of viewing.

Technical

The image is very sharp, and there is modest use of the surrounds.

Extras

No extras.