The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Today's blog entry:

Rango (animation, comedy, adventure)
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Starring the voices of Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy and Ned Beatty

Paramount Pictures | 2011 | 112 min | Rated PG | Released Jul 15, 2011

[Show spoiler]Video:
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1

Audio:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles:
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Discs:
50GB Blu-ray Disc
DVD copy (with digital copy)

The Film 4/5

The Blu-ray includes the 107-minute theatrical version and a 112-minute extended version.

Rango (Depp) is an aquatic chameleon who is trying to discover his purpose in life. He lives alone in a tank until the car it is being transported in hits a bump and gives him his freedom in the desert. His journey begins when he discovers an armadillo and is told to visit the nearby town of Dirt if he wants to find water. He's given a ride by Beans (Fisher), who owns land in the valley and drops him off in town.

Rango begins the movie as a liar who is unsure of his capabilities, until dumb luck elevates him in the eyes of the locals and he starts to believe in himself. He represents hope as the townspeople struggle to find the water they need to survive.

The first part of the story is not particularly encouraging. It moves at a frantic pace and initially relies on characters being hurt, and belch or fart jokes for comic relief. But things eventually settle down and the story starts to work. It references many movies from the Western genre, including True Grit and High Noon. Some scenes pay tribute to other movies such as Star Wars.

The story is simple, but the setting and design of the characters is extremely detailed. There's also a wealth of voice talent in the supporting cast, including Ray Winstone, Harry Dean Stanton, Abigail Breslin and Timothy Olyphant, as well as the main cast.

The dialogue isn't typical and a lot of it won't be easily understood by children. The characters mention chromosome pools, paradigm shifts and aquifers. Rango, in particular, is very articulate. It's quite refreshing to see this kind of thing in an animated movie. Maybe some of the kids will ask their parents to explain terms they don't understand. Even though some of the dialogue is complex, the story is easy to follow.

The movie is a mix of fast-paced action, dumb jokes, clever jokes, battle scenes and quiet moments in which Rango contemplates his existence. There are problems to be solved, misunderstandings and traditional themes of good versus evil. One of my favorite elements is the use of a mariachi band, composed of four owls, documenting Rango's tale through the use of various songs.

I won't reveal any more of the plot, but I found Rango to be an enjoyable ride. The first 30 minutes had me worried because of the pacing and the dumb jokes, but things improve significantly in the last hour. I often have problems adjusting to the style of North American animation after seeing one of Hayao Miyazaki's films, and I viewed Spirited Away a few days ago. Once I accepted that Rango was a totally different style; I started to enjoy it more. It's not perfect, but it's well worth your time.

Video Quality 5/5
If you've ever seen a Pixar movie on Blu-ray, you'll have an idea what to expect from Rango. I couldn't detect a single fault. Colors are striking and detail is exceptional. All of the backgrounds seem properly finished and add depth to the image. When you see Rango's face at the start of the movie, it looks like he's in the room with you. Clothing, skin, scenery and water are all displayed perfectly. This is a presentation that shows off the Blu-ray format wonderfully. Nobody will be disappointed with the look of the movie.

Audio Quality 5/5
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track doesn't disappoint either. There's a lot going on throughout the movie and the lossless audio handles everything well. Some of the battle scenes are particularly loud, while other scenes rely on music for maximum effect. The rear speakers are used frequently and I didn't detect any faults in the mix. The image will dazzle you, but you'll be happy with the sound too.

Special Features 4/5

The additional features are all presented in full HD.

Audio Commentary (Extended version only) with Director, Gore Verbinski; Head of Story James Ward Byrkit; Production Designer Mark "Crash" McCreery; Animation Director Hal Hickel; and Visual Effects Supervisor Tim Alexander.

Breaking the Rules: Making Animation History (48:52) - A two-part feature consisting of The Stage is Set and Now we Ride. Learn about how the movie was made and see the evolution of the characters.

Deleted Scenes (8:27) - A brief look at 10 additional scenes which will seem very familiar if you watched the extended version of the movie.

Real Creatures of Dirt (22:15) - Showing real desert creatures such as snakes, scorpions, tarantulas and armadillos.

Storyboard Reel Picture-in-Picture (theatrical version only)

A Field Trip to Dirt - An interactive digital model which allows you to ride through the town and look around.

Theatrical Trailer (2:27)

Credits

Previews

DVD Copy (digital copy on disc)

Rango is a fun way to spend almost two hours. Although some of the dialogue is complex, the movie is suitable for the whole family and has something for everyone. The blend of action and humor works well overall and the animals make interesting and memorable characters. The Blu-ray is just about perfect and Rango immediately ranks among the best presentations the format has to offer.

Overall score 4.5/5

how'd you get this so early?!

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

how'd you get this so early?!

I review copies for a local store.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I didn't think I was that interested, but since it's only $15 on BB and Amazon, and since it has so many rave reviews, I decided to blind-order a copy.

Rango has a decent story and great presentation.

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Today's blog entry:

Rango (animation, comedy, adventure)
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Starring the voices of Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy and Ned Beatty

[Show spoiler]Paramount Pictures | 2011 | 112 min | Rated PG | Released Jul 15, 2011



Video:
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1

Audio:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles:
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Discs:
50GB Blu-ray Disc
DVD copy (with digital copy)

The Film 4/5

The Blu-ray includes the 107-minute theatrical version and a 112-minute extended version.

Rango (Depp) is an aquatic chameleon who is trying to discover his purpose in life. He lives alone in a tank until the car it is being transported in hits a bump and gives him his freedom in the desert. His journey begins when he discovers an armadillo and is told to visit the nearby town of Dirt if he wants to find water. He's given a ride by Beans (Fisher), who owns land in the valley and drops him off in town.

Rango begins the movie as a liar who is unsure of his capabilities, until dumb luck elevates him in the eyes of the locals and he starts to believe in himself. He represents hope as the townspeople struggle to find the water they need to survive.

The first part of the story is not particularly encouraging. It moves at a frantic pace and initially relies on characters being hurt, and belch or fart jokes for comic relief. But things eventually settle down and the story starts to work. It references many movies from the Western genre, including True Grit and High Noon. Some scenes pay tribute to other movies such as Star Wars.

The story is simple, but the setting and design of the characters is extremely detailed. There's also a wealth of voice talent in the supporting cast, including Ray Winstone, Harry Dean Stanton, Abigail Breslin and Timothy Olyphant, as well as the main cast.

The dialogue isn't typical and a lot of it won't be easily understood by children. The characters mention chromosome pools, paradigm shifts and aquifers. Rango, in particular, is very articulate. It's quite refreshing to see this kind of thing in an animated movie. Maybe some of the kids will ask their parents to explain terms they don't understand. Even though some of the dialogue is complex, the story is easy to follow.

The movie is a mix of fast-paced action, dumb jokes, clever jokes, battle scenes and quiet moments in which Rango contemplates his existence. There are problems to be solved, misunderstandings and traditional themes of good versus evil. One of my favorite elements is the use of a mariachi band, composed of four owls, documenting Rango's tale through the use of various songs.

I won't reveal any more of the plot, but I found Rango to be an enjoyable ride. The first 30 minutes had me worried because of the pacing and the dumb jokes, but things improve significantly in the last hour. I often have problems adjusting to the style of North American animation after seeing one of Hayao Miyazaki's films, and I viewed Spirited Away a few days ago. Once I accepted that Rango was a totally different style; I started to enjoy it more. It's not perfect, but it's well worth your time.

Video Quality 5/5
If you've ever seen a Pixar movie on Blu-ray, you'll have an idea what to expect from Rango. I couldn't detect a single fault. Colors are striking and detail is exceptional. All of the backgrounds seem properly finished and add depth to the image. When you see Rango's face at the start of the movie, it looks like he's in the room with you. Clothing, skin, scenery and water are all displayed perfectly. This is a presentation that shows off the Blu-ray format wonderfully. Nobody will be disappointed with the look of the movie.

Audio Quality 5/5
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track doesn't disappoint either. There's a lot going on throughout the movie and the lossless audio handles everything well. Some of the battle scenes are particularly loud, while other scenes rely on music for maximum effect. The rear speakers are used frequently and I didn't detect any faults in the mix. The image will dazzle you, but you'll be happy with the sound too.

Special Features 4/5

The additional features are all presented in full HD.

Audio Commentary (Extended version only) with Director, Gore Verbinski; Head of Story James Ward Byrkit; Production Designer Mark "Crash" McCreery; Animation Director Hal Hickel; and Visual Effects Supervisor Tim Alexander.

Breaking the Rules: Making Animation History (48:52) - A two-part feature consisting of The Stage is Set and Now we Ride. Learn about how the movie was made and see the evolution of the characters.

Deleted Scenes (8:27) - A brief look at 10 additional scenes which will seem very familiar if you watched the extended version of the movie.

Real Creatures of Dirt (22:15) - Showing real desert creatures such as snakes, scorpions, tarantulas and armadillos.

Storyboard Reel Picture-in-Picture (theatrical version only)

A Field Trip to Dirt - An interactive digital model which allows you to ride through the town and look around.

Theatrical Trailer (2:27)

Credits

Previews

DVD Copy (digital copy on disc)

Rango is a fun way to spend almost two hours. Although some of the dialogue is complex, the movie is suitable for the whole family and has something for everyone. The blend of action and humor works well overall and the animals make interesting and memorable characters. The Blu-ray is just about perfect and Rango immediately ranks among the best presentations the format has to offer.

Overall score 4.5/5

Great review, really miffed that I cancelled my pre order after reading this

Will definitely either rent or most probably pick this up once it's dropped a bit.

Edit: Oh yeah I also just watched the first Harry Potter film again. All I have to say is

[Show spoiler]they are soooooo CUTE!!

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

Great review, really miffed that I cancelled my pre order after reading this

Will definitely either rent or most probably pick this up once it's dropped a bit.

Edit: Oh yeah I also just watched the first Harry Potter film again. All I have to say is

[Show spoiler]they are soooooo CUTE!!

Yeah, £16.85 is a lot. It should drop fairly quickly.

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Yeah, £16.85 is a lot. It should drop fairly quickly.

And to think I had it pre ordered for ~£13.50! Dang.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

And to think I had it pre ordered for ~£13.50! Dang.

Thanks for the RT

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Thanks for the RT

haha no problem! Quite funny how you say it on here

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I review copies for a local store.

really? that's awesome!

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

really? that's awesome!

Yep, it's a little store run by a family. Great deals, especially on used stuff. Link is on my blog.

[volcomsocal]

Music Within- 2007

This is one of the best movies I've seen since (500) Days of Summer and Into The Wild. I had no idea what this movie was about and I never heard of it, but it looked interesting when I was looking for something to rent on Netflix. This was a DVD, so critiquing it on PQ and AQ are n/a.

This was a very touching story. It's based on the true story of the man who created the Americans With Disabilities Act. The writing in this movie was fantastic. The way the characters interact with each other are exceptional and touching. This movie is heartfelt, funny, moving, emotional, sad, and uplifting. It's just a treat to have seen such a gem. I just wish it was on Blu-ray, because it deserves the hi-def treatment.

Music Within really opens up peoples' eyes to those with disabilities and how those people were treated in this country before they had the same "rights" as everyone else. I could only imagine what some people had to deal with back in the 70's and earlier. This is a must see for anyone. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

PQ - n/a
AQ - n/a

4.5/5

[Steve46]

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Directed by Mark Herman
Starring David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Asa Butterfield and Rupert Friend



Bruno (Butterfield) is an 8-year-old boy who lives in Berlin during WW2. His father (Thewlis) is an important member of the Nazi party. When his father is promoted, the family has to move. Bruno doesn't want to leave his friends behind, but his mother (Farmiga) assures him that he'll find new friends.

The new home is in the countryside and Bruno can see what looks like a farm from his bedroom window. We see everything from his viewpoint until the closing minutes of the film. He notes that one of the farmers who visits is still wearing pajamas under his clothes. When he explores further and reaches the farm, everyone is wearing the striped clothes.

He befriends a boy around his age and the boy tells him they are not pajamas, but clothes. He wears them because he's a Jew. It's not a farm. Only Bruno's father knows all of the details about the "farm" and it's clear that it's some kind of work camp.

It's interesting to see this world through the eyes of a child. He doesn't know that his parents would be angry if he were caught talking to his friend, but instinctively keeps it secret.

All of the accents are British. I liked Thewlis as Lupin in Harry Potter and I enjoy Farmiga in just about anything (The Departed, Up in the Air).

Bruno's innocence proves to be dangerous. I can't possibly give away any more details without ruining the story, but it's worth seeing. It's a meaningful drama.

I watched the DVD version, but the Blu-ray will be released on July 19.

4/5

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Steve46

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Directed by Mark Herman
Starring David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Asa Butterfield and Rupert Friend



Bruno (Butterfield) is an 8-year-old boy who lives in Berlin during WW2. His father (Thewlis) is an important member of the Nazi party. When his father is promoted, the family has to move. Bruno doesn't want to leave his friends behind, but his mother (Farmiga) assures him that he'll find new friends.

The new home is in the countryside and Bruno can see what looks like a farm from his bedroom window. We see everything from his viewpoint until the closing minutes of the film. He notes that one of the farmers who visits is still wearing pajamas under his clothes. When he explores further and reaches the farm, everyone is wearing the striped clothes.

He befriends a boy around his age and the boy tells him they are not pajamas, but clothes. He wears them because he's a Jew. It's not a farm. Only Bruno's father knows all of the details about the "farm" and it's clear that it's some kind of work camp.

It's interesting to see this world through the eyes of a child. He doesn't know that his parents would be angry if he were caught talking to his friend, but instinctively keeps it secret.

All of the accents are British. I liked Thewlis as Lupin in Harry Potter and I enjoy Farmiga in just about anything (The Departed, Up in the Air).

Bruno's innocence proves to be dangerous. I can't possibly give away any more details without ruining the story, but it's worth seeing. It's a meaningful drama.

I watched the DVD version, but the Blu-ray will be released on July 19.

4/5

I love Farmiga! I remember watching this in the cinema,

[Show spoiler]it's so sad.

I also read the book soon after which was also really great.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

I love Farmiga! I remember watching this in the cinema,

[Show spoiler]it's so sad.

I also read the book soon after which was also really great.

I just watched Breaking and Entering with Jude Law and Juliette Binoche. Farmiga had a brief appearance as a prostitute. Not a bad movie 3.5/5.

Yep, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

[Show spoiler]is sad.

It reminds me of Au revoir les enfants in some ways.

[SquidPuppet]

Horrible Bosses

3.5/5 rounded up to a 4

I liked it, had a good time, and laughed quite a few times. All the cameos were cool. Worth the price of admission.

I have never watched Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia do I was unfamiliar with Charlie Day. He got on my nerves to the point where he almoat ruined the flick. Almost. His voice is grating. But there was enough of the other characters to balance it out.

Aniston was funny, and HOT. But I dont buy her in the "Nasty" role. She is too sweet. She gave it a good go and it somewhat worked, but she just isnt raunchy enough for me to buy it. Still, I enjoyed every minute she was on screen.

I thought it was hilarious when Foxx explained how he got his Motherf*cking name. Ha ha ha.

Did anyone notice this?

[Show spoiler]Day kept referring to the TV show Law and Order. When the three guys were being questioned at the police station, the Law and Order music was playing.

[SquidPuppet]

Mercy

2009 NR 87 minutes

DVD

Director:Patrick Hoelck

Netflix synopsis:

A pessimistic writer who's never known true love struggles to pen a novel that captures that puzzling emotion's all-consuming nature. While hunting for inspiration, the author falls for Mercy (Wendy Glenn), a woman who drastically alters his outlook on life. Scott Caan writes and stars in this enthralling romance that co-stars his father, James Caan, as well as Erika Christensen, Dylan McDermott and Troy Garity.

Ugh. Good acting, dialogue, camera work and editing got lost in here some how.

There were these "flashbacks" that I couldnt make heads or tails of. I couldnt tell if the were flasbacks, or flash forwards, or flash sideways to imaginary thoughts, or alternate realities....er....uh. They didnt help tell the story, and actually seemed to muddle up what was trying to be a good romantic drama. Messy.... didnt click for me.

2.5/5

[Steve46]

I guess I know what I'm watching tonight. Lost Highway just arrived from Grooves Inc..

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest blind-buy: “Hobo With a Shotgun.”

This movie is like “Death Wish” turned up to 11. That is to say that this (seemingly) low-budget vigilante-revenge flick is extreme and freaking psycho! With lots of wild acting, zany camera-work, and some incredibly messed-up acts of criminal violence, the film kicks off fast and crazy and hardly lets up. And then there’s the blood…so much blood! Parts of this will make you squirm, flinch, and cringe. Parts of it might even offend you, as the movie crosses certain boundaries and portrays horridly sadistic violence against men, women, and even children. If you can handle it though, you can expect a pretty gnarly ride. Comparatively, it’s maybe just a couple-hundred-bucketloads of blood short of a decent Japanese gorefest movie (like “Machine Girl,” “Tokyo Gore Police,” “Meatball Machine,” etc), but it’s every bit as crazy, and very extreme by American standards.

The story for this is not bad. As insane as the violence gets, it’s incredibly hard, and perhaps frustrating, to accept that people could be this evil, and that an entire police department can abide by it. But it does provide the necessary platform for the title character to go on his rampage! As the film goes on and the stakes constantly rise, the film does touch upon some key issues surrounding the growth of the human spirit, indicating that the journey from the cradle to the grave is one full of corruption. And as the film seems to idolize violence and turn it into a fetish at times, one can’t help but to reflect on said corruption; as it does for the characters in the film, it might spur you to take a stand.

The film is every bit as wild as the content. Photography is very interesting, with lots of unique camera angles and some very vivid lighting. Editing is not bad. Acting is pretty extreme all around, save for Rutger Hauer, whose performance here could match his previous role “The Hitcher.” Writing shows some strong points and plenty of weak spots. Production design is bizarre; you can expect lots of vividly-detailed sets, props, and costumes, most of which put off a distinctively retro 80s vibe. Music also reminds me of the 80s, and is pretty slick.

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: Not for the squeamish, or those who are easily appalled by acts of extreme sadism. But for those seeking the true Grindhouse / gorefest experience, this should satisfy.

The Blu-Ray looks awesomely sharp and detailed. Colors and contrast look appropriate, but some of the full-colored scenes show excessive color bleeding and weaker contrast. Some of the darker scenes are also heavily grainy and noisy. Sound quality is pretty darn loud, but nothing to complain about.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest blind-buy: “BloodRayne: The Third Reich”

The first two movies in the “BloodRayne” series are a mess, to put it lightly. The first film is one of the ultimate guilty pleasures for me; an atrocious story and a mess of a film, but with enough blood, guts, and sex to satiate. The second movie has absolutely nothing going for it. Both together, along with “Alone of the Dark” and “House of the Dead,” underscore exactly why Uwe Boll is considered the worst filmmaker of all time: all have no substance, poor sense of pacing, and some extremely iffy craftsmanship.

Call me crazy if you will, but I do believe that the good Dr Boll has gotten better over the years, and if you watch this third “BloodRayne” movie immediately after the first two, you might see a marked change in quality. The first two have pretty iffy pacing, but this one feels pretty even all around; there are a few decent fights throughout, all much better choreographed than the fights in the first two movies. There is some blood; not as much as the first film, but not as disappointingly lacking as the second. With a decent look and style, and a nice bit of gratuitous nudity, the film generally did not disappoint me. Do be warned though that this is still nowhere near as intense as the original “BloodRayne” video games, which were absolutely loaded with gore and sex appeal; the first film still takes the cake in that regard.

Fortunately, this film does follow the original “BR” game more closely. As the title suggests, the series finally touches upon the WWII occultism that drove the plot of the original video games. The film connects with the first film pretty well, while running with its own story. Characters have one or two bright moments, but are still shallow and unremarkable. Other than that, it’s not really much more to say; a fine excuse for some Nazi killin’, and little more.

The film shows decent photography and okay editing; you might notice one or two shortcuts, but it’s not nearly as gaudy as the first two films in the series. Acting is not very good; Natassia Malthe is not bad to look at, but she lacks the necessary sensuality that the character really needs, and she’s still unconvincing as a badass. The writing has some surprisingly good moments, and is not bad overall. The production features some good-looking sets, props, costumes, and special effects. Music is kinda bad.

As expected, this is probably the best film in the “BloodRayne” movie franchise. It still won’t impress many people, but Uwe Boll has come a long way and might still surprise us someday. I’m sure that the man’s repertoire and overall attitude will earn him infinite infamy, but with this, and movies like “Postal,” “Seed,” and “Rampage” under his belt, I don’t see what the big deal is.

3.5/5 (entertainment: 3.5/5, story: 3/5, film: 3.5/5)

Comparatively, "BloodRayne" earns a 2.5/5 (3/5 at the highest; the unrated cut entertains a little more than the theatrical ), and "BloodRayne: Deliverance" is a 0.5/5 (worst movie ever ).

Recommendation: Probably not.

The Blu-Ray looks nice and sharp, with excellent clarity, detail, and appropriate color and contrast. Sound quality did not dissapoint.

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 4.5/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Horrible Bosses

3.5/5 rounded up to a 4

I liked it, had a good time, and laughed quite a few times. All the cameos were cool. Worth the price of admission.

I have never watched Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia do I was unfamiliar with Charlie Day. He got on my nerves to the point where he almoat ruined the flick. Almost. His voice is grating. But there was enough of the other characters to balance it out.

Aniston was funny, and HOT. But I dont buy her in the "Nasty" role. She is too sweet. She gave it a good go and it somewhat worked, but she just isnt raunchy enough for me to buy it. Still, I enjoyed every minute she was on screen.

I thought it was hilarious when Foxx explained how he got his Motherf*cking name. Ha ha ha.

Did anyone notice this?

[Show spoiler]Day kept referring to the TV show Law and Order. When the three guys were being questioned at the police station, the Law and Order music was playing.

i anticipated this happening to some. i also have never watched It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia but i didn't have an issue with Day. yes, it seemed he had A LOT more dialogue than everyone else, andhis constant mumbling kept me laughing, but i could see many getting annoyed.

kind of an inside joke from his show that i still got because of the cast...

[Show spoiler]when they're sitting with Motherf*cker Jones in the bar (the second time i believe) Day is talking about a Hitchcock movie with who he thinks is Danny DeVito. funny because DeVito is his co-star on Philadelphia

Originally Posted by Steve46

I guess I know what I'm watching tonight. Lost Highway just arrived from Grooves Inc..

awesome! let us (me in particular ) know how it looks and sounds

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “Hobo With a Shotgun.”

[Show spoiler]This movie is like “Death Wish” turned up to 11. That is to say that this (seemingly) low-budget vigilante-revenge flick is extreme and freaking psycho! With lots of wild acting, zany camera-work, and some incredibly messed-up acts of criminal violence, the film kicks off fast and crazy and hardly lets up. And then there’s the blood…so much blood! Parts of this will make you squirm, flinch, and cringe. Parts of it might even offend you, as the movie crosses certain boundaries and portrays horridly sadistic violence against men, women, and even children. If you can handle it though, you can expect a pretty gnarly ride. Comparatively, it’s maybe just a couple-hundred-bucketloads of blood short of a decent Japanese gorefest movie (like “Machine Girl,” “Tokyo Gore Police,” “Meatball Machine,” etc), but it’s every bit as crazy, and very extreme by American standards.

The story for this is not bad. As insane as the violence gets, it’s incredibly hard, and perhaps frustrating, to accept that people could be this evil, and that an entire police department can abide by it. But it does provide the necessary platform for the title character to go on his rampage! As the film goes on and the stakes constantly rise, the film does touch upon some key issues surrounding the growth of the human spirit, indicating that the journey from the cradle to the grave is one full of corruption. And as the film seems to idolize violence and turn it into a fetish at times, one can’t help but to reflect on said corruption; as it does for the characters in the film, it might spur you to take a stand.

The film is every bit as wild as the content. Photography is very interesting, with lots of unique camera angles and some very vivid lighting. Editing is not bad. Acting is pretty extreme all around, save for Rutger Hauer, whose performance here could match his previous role “The Hitcher.” Writing shows some strong points and plenty of weak spots. Production design is bizarre; you can expect lots of vividly-detailed sets, props, and costumes, most of which put off a distinctively retro 80s vibe. Music also reminds me of the 80s, and is pretty slick.

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: Not for the squeamish, or those who are easily appalled by acts of extreme sadism. But for those seeking the true Grindhouse / gorefest experience, this should satisfy.

The Blu-Ray looks awesomely sharp and detailed. Colors and contrast look appropriate, but some of the full-colored scenes show excessive color bleeding and weaker contrast. Some of the darker scenes are also heavily grainy and noisy. Sound quality is pretty darn loud, but nothing to complain about.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

glad you ended up enjoy it Al of course, you know many of us didn't, but i still don't mind owning it. just don't know when i'll be watching it again...