Blu-ray Review: The Heavenly Sword

Blu-ray Reviews, Reviews

The one plus side for gaming fans has been that with the state of CGI advancing to the point it has today many video games are profoundly cinematic in ways that are breathtaking. Many next-gen video games match their cinematic counterparts in terms of being able to use the medium to make a video look as close to reality as many films heavily relying on CGI are. It’s jaw droppingly spectacular in every way possible. Video developers have figured out that they can take what normally would be cut scenes and sequences and expand them into a feature length film outside of the game series. An entire cottage industry has sprung of DTV films based on gaming franchises, capitalizing on hardcore gamers willing to spend $14.99 on a movie based off the game they love.

You can throw in The Heavenly Sword into that mix and it is a film that’s designed with only fans of the video game franchise in mind.

Simple premise. Nariko (Anna Torva) and her clan has long protected the “Heavenly Sword,” a weapon that brings with a curse: it drains the wielder of their life force. King Bohan unleashes an army to steal the sword, in order to control its devastating power for his own cause. Nariko must take up the sword to save the day.

Unless you have an interest in the video game franchise which serves as the basis for this Blu-ray release, you might as well bypass as it will likely only pique the interest of fans. Consider it supplemental material to the game and you won’t be disappointed. If, like me, you’re not a fan this isn’t going to be your cup of tea unless you have 90 minutes to kill and it’s in your Netflix queue.

No extras beside the trailer are included.

Cinedigm presents The Heavenly Sword . Produced by Brad Foxhoven, David Wohl. Written by Todd Farmer. Voice cast of Anna Torv, Alfred Molina. Running time: 85 minutes. Not Rated. Released: September 2, 2014.