Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge

Wildly confusing for anyone unfamiliar with the hit (in Japan) manga and television series Hunter x Hunter, this feature-length entry reunites four "hunters" (a combination of soldiers of fortune, bounty hunters, and spies)--Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio--who face a supervillain from a crime organization called Phantom Troupe. Investigating, Kurapika meets a boy he recognizes as a childhood friend, Pairo. Out of the blue, Pairo, a puppet, steals Kurapika’s eyes, and the others must now protect Kurapika and fend off further assaults from other puppets. Joining them is a brave puppeteer, Retsu. The frantic fight scene action during key sequences is often disorienting, although the images can be sometimes beautiful. Presented in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, rated TV-14, extras include cast interviews, footage from the Japanese premiere, and an art gallery. Optional. (T. Keogh)