7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
After her boyfriend is murdered by the gangsters whose diamonds he stole, a girl is protected by two FBI agents who plan to keep her from sharing the same fate.
Starring: Gregory Scott Cummins, William Smith (I), Cameron Mitchell, Ross Hagen, Hoke HowellAction | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: LPCM 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
The world of licensing titles for home video releases can be something of a thicket, especially since titles that are licensed are quite often not the product of a major studio that already has a home video arm as part of their overall business strategy. That thicket can have thorns at times, as may be recalled by those who have witnessed certain brouhahas that have broken out in our Forum from time to time. Some long time readers may remember a certain outburst here by the owner of a niche label who came after the site years ago after several members at the site added Wiki data to a number of his titles indicating when the end of his retailer exclusives would be, based upon an assumed three year contract. With regard to "retailer exclusives", maybe some wise legal type can clarify whether a title selling out then frees the owner of the property to re-license it elsewhere, which seems to be what might have happened with Action U.S.A., which very recently (like just a few months ago) had a limited edition Blu-ray release of four thousand units from Vinegar Syndrome, which the site is listing as sold out, but which does seem to be available for some pretty steep prices at the usual online emporia. For those who may have missed the Vinegar Syndrome release and who don't want to spend the bulk of their latest paycheck getting a copy, MVD Visual's MVD Rewind imprint is giving consumers another chance, with an understanding that the supplemental package differs between the two releases (this one has two of the Vinegar Syndrome supplements but is missing others, while it also offers an archival video of stunt work being prepared and shot that the Vinegar Syndrome release evidently didn't include), and that this version is in 1.78:1, while the Vinegar Syndrome version is in 1.85:1. The fact that MVD does not reference what Brian Orndorf's review (see below) stated Vinegar Syndrome called "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative" leads me to believe this was not sourced from the same master, as perhaps evidenced by the aspect ratio difference itself.
Action U.S.A. is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of MVD Rewind Collection, an imprint of MVD Visual, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. MVD offers only a generic "High Definition (1080p) presentation. . .in 1.78:1 aspect ratio" in its "technical verbiage", but for those stacking this up against the Vinegar Syndrome release (which I have not seen, and so am basing my comments on screenshot comparisons), the bottom line is there appears to be a fair degree of similarity between the two, despite the difference in aspect ratios. The big plus of these similarities is the vividness of the palette and consistency of the densities, which seem to be very similar to the Vinegar Syndrome release. It looks to me like there are very slight differences in color temperature at times, but, again judging simply by screenshots, they appear to be pretty minor. To my eyes, it looks like the Vinegar Syndrome version may have marginally better clarity, some arguably better fine detail, and a more tightly resolved grain field, but, again, differences are not huge. This is one of those situations where the wide availability of this release and its attractive price may make it a suitable substitute for the now pretty expensive Vinegar Syndrome release from a few months ago.
Action U.S.A. features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 tracks (the Vinegar Syndrome release featured DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 tracks). I might be a bit more forgiving than Brian was in terms of the at times fluctuating quality of the audio, but even given that, this release at least offers an uncompressed stereo track instead of lossy audio, and that alone would probably be enough for me to grant this the slightly higher score I'm doling out. As Brian mentions, the surround activity here is kind of hit or miss, but there are some fun moments of engagement, notably in some of the crazy antics involving various vehicles. There's not a ton of really impressive LFE, and as Brian noted sound effects can be pretty thin at times. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly for the most part, though again as Brian noted, there are some amplitude variances. Optional English subtitles are available.
If you have a spare Benjamin or two lying around and are a huge fan of this film, you may want to consider tracking down the Vinegar Syndrome edition. If you're an ordinary working shmoe who just wants an hour and a half or so of some rollicking stunt work and action sequences, this MVD Rewind edition will probably suffice perfectly well. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplements very enjoyable, for those who are considering a purchase.
Death Shot
1973
2011
1974
2020
Enragés
2015
Vinegar Syndrome Archive / Sold Out
1993
2021
1991
1975
1990
1994
Vinegar Syndrome Archive
1984
Dynamite Women
1976
1992
Killers Die Hard
1978
1987
1986
1982
Collector's Edition
1981
F/X 2: The Deadly Art of Illusion
1991