Ring Of Death (2008 Telefilm/RHI/Genius DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D Feature: C
In RHI’s
attempt to put more money back into their productions, we get another prison
fight film (one guy is forced with false and/or elongated imprisonment if he
refuses to battle, usually involving a child) with another name actor as the
warden and villain in Ring Of Death
(2008); this one has Stacy Keach doing a pretty good Charles Gray (Diamonds Are Forever, Rocky Horror Picture Show) impression
that makes this more watchable than its formula would hold.
Johnny
Messner (of the hit TV series The O.C.)
plays the convict who may never see his son and freedom again unless… At a short 86 minutes, this knows when to
quit while it is ahead, but makes certain that every cliché you can fit into
the teleplay is there. Still, it is done
with some energy, but predictability cannot be overcome and it is a curio at
best.
For RHI,
this is something like progress, but as a word used loosely.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is on par with these RHI TV productions
shot in HD with some motion blur and the usual detail limits, along with
limited color. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix
is limited in soundfield, with loud punching noises beyond the fighting and
music, plus dialogue that is adequate at best.
There are no extras.
- Nicholas Sheffo
