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Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to ADV Films for sending a copy for a review for this site. First of all, there is actually a series before this movie, which I have yet to see. I think it's a continuation on where our famous party of demom slayers left off at the end. However, like me, even you haven't seen the series at all, this movie has lots of information on each characters so you will get what their mission is, along getting to know them as well. There is even a little part about another party fellowing them to hunt them down, too. This movie started off with a very cool battle seen & what a way to start it off, seeing them in action with Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo & Hakkai. Boy, they are bunch of strange guys that can kick butt. I especially like Sanzo & I can't believe that he is actually a high-ranking monk that just doesn't give a damn. You just want to laugh. His other party members are also all different, one love to eat with a bottomless tummy, while another just like to be with any woman. Yes, there is a calm guy, too. After the battle, with they are victor, they ran into a girl being chase by a big demon. They managed to rescue her & ended up staying in a beautiful palace that belongs to her master. However, something is very wrong & they falled into a trap from Sanzo's past. It's an all out battle with demons using magic, guns & coolest fighting moves. It's a blast!
Video:
ADV Films has release the movie very well, just the same for the series, which they also released before. To top things off, the movie is feature on Widescreen format. If you got a Widescreen TV, you're going to enjoy this even more. I'm not sure if the original series is in Widescreen format, but if it isn't, then this will be the first for this series. The movie is split in 22 parts & it's quite well done. There is no watermark done, except for the ending credits. I do note that you can skip all those warnings & logos when you first load the DVD by just pressing the "Menu" button on your remote control.
Dubbing: English:
The dubbing is really great. Since ADV Films has release the series itself, the cast is the same, so at least we have that. Sanzo sounds like an old cowboy. However, there is a few changes in the dialogues compare to the original Japanese. It's about 80% of the original Japanese.
Audio 01: English 5.1:
Unable to test it, since I don't have a 5.1 surround system, I can't really say much.
Audio XX: English 2.0:
Just letting you know, there isn't an English 2.0 audio track on this DVD. This is artificially made from the 5.1 audio track, that's why I noted it as "XX". I found no problem with the audio, but I bet it would be alot more interesting with the 5.1.
Audio 02: Japanese 2.0:
No problem found.
Subtitle:
ADV Films have selected a great font, very easy to read. They use yellow for the Japanese dialogue & white for Japanese signs & text. There are two tracks of subtitling. One track is for the sign subtitling & the other one is for the Japanese dialogue.
Menu Option:
The menu is also in widescreen format, but if got just a regular full screen TV, it will display in that format with no problem. There isn't much animation is used, so it's simple. You get to see all Sanyo's party together. There is "Play", "Screen Selection", "Setup" & "Extras". There is no special animation when you hit the "Play", but the others, you get to see a little animation of orange paper plane flying about (you will find out what they are in the movie). The background music used in the menu are from the music in the movie.
DVD Extras:
The extras are interesting. There is a full movie commentary of all the English cast, with some in-depth information on how the dubbing process is done & information on the series of Saiyuki. It's kinda funny that all of them can't be together so there might be switches. There is also an interview with the creator, Kazuya Minekura, but I find it a little boring, I thought it was a clip or something, but it's more of an question & awnser. There is also a character profile of all you will meet in this movie, along with an art gallery right after. Very cool. Last, the original Japanese promos & TV spots. The only thing missing that they should have included the original Japanese credits.
Packaging:
The design remains the same so it will match up with the series. On the cover, you see the Demon Slayers, Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo & Hakkai together. In the back, you will see some screenshots, along with Sanzo with his famous gun. There isn't any insert with the chapter list or anything, but there is a full double-sided poster! Very nice. On the DVD disc itself, it's the same image used in the main menu. Though, the only thing missing is a reversible cover, since the DVD case is a clear one, might as well.
PC Viewing:
Watching it on the PC is the same as watching it on the TV. Very clean, no problem at all, very little pixel (little squares popping in & out), both normal mode & full screen mode. The sound is just great. The movie is place on one single track, so loading time is really small. You can fast forward to the beginning to the end with one move on your mouse! Like on your regular DVD player, you can skip the warnings & logos when you load the disc, just use the "menu" option to go to the menu screen.
Overall DVD Rating:
I really do suggest toa ctually watch the series before going into the movie, so you get to know the characters & their mission to the East, but even without doing so, the movie can stand by itself, as they do a little background information for each of Sanzo's party. However, it was a blast to watch it, with a few hilarious moments. With a party like that, I wonder if that is the reason why they are so good.
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