88 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		2.5

88 Blu-ray Movie Review

Back and forth, back and forth...

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 7, 2015

One might reasonably think that a movie entitled 88 and starring Christopher Lloyd would be a sequel or prequel to, or perhaps some spin-off "further adventures of" movie or series centered in, the Back to the Future universe. It was, in fact, a speed of 88 miles-per-hour, along with some fancy technology, that propelled the world's most famous DeLorean backwards and forwards in time in those movies in which Lloyd portrayed the wild-haired scientist who developed the technology. Alas, 88 is actually a derivative, largely aimless Action/sex appeal flick about, essentially, a girl with amnesia and her pre- and post-stress struggles to fight for her life, reveal the truth, and so on and so forth. It's a largely uncreative movie but one that's a classic "serviceable" entertainer that should keep audiences busy for about the same number of minutes as the number that represents the title, but chances are about 88% of viewers will forget the movie even exists 88 seconds after the credits begin to roll, give or take another 88 seconds.

Fugue-itive.

Gwen (Katharine Isabelle) suffers from "Fugue State," a condition that affects about 0.0005% of the population. In essence, it's a form of amnesia, a condition through which an individual disassociates himself or herself from reality, including their own identity and personal history. Such a person is capable of creating an entirely new persona and suffers from grand hallucinations, often triggered by a traumatic life event. Gwen, who finds herself confused, tired, missing a finger, and in possession of a gun, panics in a diner, accidentally shoots a waitress, and goes on the run. She's helped by a kind man named Ty (Tim Doiron) while the law, including Sheriff Knowles (Michael Ironside), hunts her down. Meanwhile, Gwen flashes back to her past, a violent past in which the shy, frightened girl is instead a cold, hard killer on the hunt for a mysterious man named Cyrus (Lloyd) who has wounded her in the past.

The film offers an admittedly intriguing plot, though one that borrows heavily from other films that follow characters suffering from memory loss or dual personalities in search of revenge, Memento being the most obviously famous. Katharine Isabelle satisfies part requirements, nicely blending the two personalities with, on one hand, a frightened, seemingly inexperienced (in the ways of crime) childlike victim to, on the other, a heartless, self-centered, manipulative killer who oozes blatant sex appeal. The script is a little too convoluted, at times, and it's often only thanks to Isabelle's performance that the audience knows more or less where they are and, most importantly, when, based completely on her demeanor. The surrounding parts are poorly developed and lack a real sense of place and purpose beyond the simple act of pushing the film forward. Indeed, the movie works best in theory rather than execution; it lacks the budget and wherewithal to push things to the envelope, settling instead for something that feels edgy and looks it from a distance but that's actually rather pedestrian upon closer examination.

The picture is further reduced in terms of visceral impact and dramatic purpose by several factors. Characters feel terribly flat, shaped more by scripted purpose rather than authentic life challenge or even the personality disassociation that plays key in the movie. Sure there are two extremes, and Isabelle is adept at bringing quite a bit out of them, but outside of the performance there's precious little here of value, at least the sort of value that will leave the audience rattled or worried in-movie or filled with thought after the fact. Shootouts feel blandly staged to boot, and Isabelle's "bad girl" sex appeal works well in differentiating her two halves and melts the screen it gets so hot, at times, but otherwise adds little of real, tangible purpose to the movie below the surface. Pacing suffers not because of the back-and-forth nature of the story but because it's not particularly tight on either side and lacks cohesion, then, across the whole. There's a better movie in here, somewhere, but as it stands 88 is little more than a Johnny-come-lately clone of other, better films in the Action/suspense genres.

88 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

88 features a technically sound but visually nondescript 1080p presentation. Details satisfy, though the digital image appears a bit flat and lacking in pinpoint textures. General specifics, such as faces and clothes, reveal adequate amounts of precision information but this isn't a transformative sort of must-see picture. The image is aided more by its well-defined clarity and the 1080p resolution than it is the fairly flat source photography. Colors, likewise, are suitably lively and even but lack any sort of exciting punch or flair. Black levels are never notably problematic, appearing a shade too purplish in a couple of spots and in with a touch of noise in tow but never to excessive levels. Light banding creeps in across a few backgrounds, but again not to the point of aggravating intrusion. Skin tones appear largely accurate if not a hint pale. Overall, this is a workmanlike 1080p transfer.

88 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

88's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack satisfies the film's requirements but never does so with much flair. Music does enjoy good clarity and a nice spacing across the front with frequent rear channel support. Minor ambient effects, such as light background elements inside a diner, aren't particularly enveloping or lifelike or even all that pronounced. Gunfire is relatively flat and lacking sonic muscle and punch. Dialogue delivery does come through neatly and clearly from the center. This is a good example of a track that could have, and should have, been a bit more robust but instead settles for merely "serviceable."

88 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

88 contains a lengthy behind-the-scenes and a brief making-of.

• Behind the Scenes (1080p, 37:29): An examination of shoot details, including filming locations, story details and idea origins, characters and performances, a dissection of the film's timelines and how they tie into the title, photographic style, little odds and ends from the shoot, and more.
• Making Of (1080p, 3:14): Cast and crew share their thoughts on what sets the movie apart from others of its kind, basic story drivers, and more. After the longer piece, and considering it covers essentially some of the same information (including direct repeats), this supplement feels completely superfluous.
• Previews (1080p): Options include Reach Me, Automata, By the Gun, and Good People.

88 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

88 isn't the worst movie in existence and it should make for a passable time killer, but it offers next to nothing worth remembering, except, perhaps, for a solid lead performance that effortlessly shifts between helpless, frightened girl and violent, sexy knockout. All of the surrounding pieces come up lacking, whether in terms of supporting performances, action effects, pacing, or general story tightness. Audiences will likely watch from a detached, uncaring state, never absorbed in the story or caring too much about the characters. Watch it for a few fun highlights. Just don't expect the next great thing in cinema. Millennium Entertainment's Blu-ray release of 88 features good video, passable audio, and a couple of extras. Rent it.