The Flag of Iron Blu-ray Screenshots (Patreon)

Someday I'll review something that isn't kung-fu...

Video

Marketing materials note a new master and that does appear true. Resolution and clarity both suggest a recently done scan. Nearly all damage is fixed, leaving Flag of Iron's print close to perfect.

However, it's an imperfect presentation. Grain does remain, although it's potentially added after a filtering pass. Notable smearing occurs frequently, and medium shots suffer from a digital/oily appearance. Frozen grain is a regular impediment too. This causes an overall reduction in fidelity and detail, negating any gains from the fresh mastering. Some texture, of course, makes it through.

Rather average color replication brings a few primaries to the front, notably the red cloaks worn by the leads in the first act. The rest looks flat, including flesh tones. Dimensionality wanes due to the murky black levels, if assisted by a bright, perky contrast.

Audio

Mandarin and an English dub both come in PCM mono. Routine, worn dialog adds static to most spoken lines. It's negligible. The score's boomy drums allow range to seep in, the bass smooth enough to give this dated track life.