Rating summary
| Movie |  | 2.5 |
| Video |  | 3.0 |
| Audio | | 3.0 |
| Extras |  | 1.0 |
| Overall | | 3.0 |
A Bullet for Joey Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 6, 2015
Movie marketing is a tricky thing. Studios will often promise filmgoing experiences that sometimes do not exist, emphasizing exploitative elements that only factor into the feature for a few minutes at best. It’s a game of deception that’s common, with 1955’s “A Bullet for Joey” a prime example of promotion that has little to do with the actual picture. Taglines scream “Loaded with Brute Force” and “Explodes with Violence,” but no heated escalation is found in “A Bullet for Joey,” which primarily concentrates on tightly suited men discussing crime with other tightly suited men. Shoot-outs and antagonisms merely make cameo appearances.
In many ways, “A Bullet for Joey” feels like a television pilot (“Montreal Heat”), with Canadian cop Leduc (Edward G. Robinson) out to thwart criminal Victor (George Raft), who has ties to murder and, even worse, Communism. Instead of cranking up tension between the cat and mouse, director Lewis Allen takes things nice and slow, offering a procedural take on the hunt, with Leduc working through the case one clue and suspect at a time. As film noir, the bolts aren’t especially tight here, presenting limited style and flat performances, watching actors burn through banal paragraphs of dialogue, often without moving an inch. There’s little life in “A Bullet for Joey,” which winds through betrayals, death, and kidnappings without breaking a sweat.
A Bullet for Joey Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (1.75:1 aspect ratio) presentation isn't much for crisp detail, with period cinematography and age delivering a softer look to the feature that's not great with texture. Some facial close-ups manage to identify particulars, and set decoration isn't impossible to study. Contrast is acceptable, finding delineation passable. Grain is thicker but reasonably controlled. Scratches are detected, but the real problem here is flickering, which intensifies during evening activities, displayed prominently during the climax.
A Bullet for Joey Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a basic listening experience, with age limiting crispness. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, finding vocal quirks and dramatic speed easy to follow. Atmospherics are blunt but available, limited to exterior adventures and shoot-outs. Scoring isn't defined, but it's supportive, offering a slightly muddy quality as it surges during suspense. Hiss is present throughout.
A Bullet for Joey Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- A Theatrical Trailer (2:07, HD) is included.
A Bullet for Joey Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
The big draw here is the pairing of Robinson and Raft, watching Little Caesar tussle with Scarface. Cineastes will undoubtedly embrace the event, but "A Bullet for Joey" doesn't do much with such potential, keeping calm and collected until time arrives to raise a little hell. It's strange to watch "A Bullet for Joey" generally refuse excitement until the climax. Perhaps the production believes it's making a profound statement on crime, but with these actors and a border-hopping plot, it's disappointing to watch "A Bullet for Joey" take it frustratingly easy, only letting loose when absolutely necessary.
