Chaos
(2007) + Cutthroat Island (1995) + Replicant (2001/Lionsgate Blu-rays)
Picture: B-/B/C+ Sound: B/B/B- Extras: D/C-/D Films: D/C-/D
Three of
the sillier films from the Lionsgate’s action holdings are now on Blu-ray,
three that we previously looked at on DVD as follows:
Chaos (2007)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6605/Chaos+(2007/Lionsgate/DVD-Video
Cutthroat Island (1995)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5373/Cutthroat+Island+(Lionsgate+DVD-Vid
Replicant (2001)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5670/Van+Damme+Collector's+Set+(Lionsga
Needless
to say I did not enjoy any of them and neither did my colleague on the Van
Damme film, but they are still all curios for their stars and in the case of Island, for its infamous production and
release, plus that it killed the pirate film (rarely done to that point) before
Disney’s Pirates Of The Carribean
revived them.
The 1080p
digital High Definition image on each (all are 2.35 X 1, save the 1.78 X 1 on Replicant) disappoints, though I
expected Chaos and Replicant to look poor, especially
after their DVD counterparts. However,
especially with the Disney films doing so well, I expected Island to look a little better and though the transfer is better
than all previous releases of the film, it still falls short considering the
money put on screen to make it and shoot it.
The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless is 7.1 on all film, save the 5.1
on Replicant. All have active surrounds, but Replicant really comes up short, while Chaos is about what we expected. Island
used to be considered a decent sound demo and it is here in DTS, but this is
not exactly the greatest mix, though it is at least one that is thought out,
unlike most multi-channel mixes today. Extras
are the same as on their DVD counterparts, but the Rennie Harlin audio
commentary is included on the Island
Blu-ray.
So these
Blu-rays are better than their DVD counterparts, but only by so much in some
cases. Yet, this is the way to own them
if you must have them.
- Nicholas Sheffo
