Angel III: The Final Chapter Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Angel III: The Final Chapter Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 15, 2020

After experiencing a creative flame-out with 1985’s “Avenging Angel,” co-writer/director Robert Vincent O’Neil taps out of the franchise for 1988’s “Angel III: The Final Chapter,” replaced by Tom DeSimone, who brings his experience in the adult film business to the B-movie needs of the third Angel adventure. Any trace of L.A. grime has been wiped away for the second sequel, which delivers a flashier, shiner descent into the horrors of sexual exploitation, never straying far from formula.

“Silk Stalkings” star Mitzi Kapture steps into the role of Molly, who’s now a New York photographer pulled into the world of pornography and human slavery to save her sister from a criminal organization (Maud Adams plays the kingpin). Of course, to sniff around for leads, Molly must become Angel again, but she’s not a streetwalker for very long, using her persona to cozy up to corrupt people in a dangerous industry. The action of “Avenging Angel” is mostly missing from “Angel III,” which tries to be sinister, creating more of a psychological game for Molly as she confronts her depressing family history to save the only relative she has left.

Angel III: The Final Chapter Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

A 2K scan of the original camera negative, "Angel III: The Final Chapter" delivers sublime clarity during the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Detail is excellent throughout, with sharpness bringing out fashion from the era, showcasing all types of crisp formalwear and silky outfits. Facial particulars are crisp, surveying grooming habits and age-related wear and tear. Ample displays of skin are viewed in full, and interiors are often loaded with decorative additions to scan. Locations are equally defined, providing appealing dimension. Primaries are exact, working with bright costuming and late-'80s makeup trends, which provide distinct reds, purples, and blues. Skintones are natural. Grain is film-like. Delineation is deep. Source is in superb condition.

Angel III: The Final Chapter Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix for "Angel III: The Final Chapter" leads with dialogue exchanges, keeping thespian choices crisply defined, while heated encounters remain balanced. Scoring is supportive, presented with sharp instrumentation that captures a synth-heavy sound, detailing dramatic and suspenseful moods. Sound effects are clear, offering snappy gunshots. Atmospherics are also lively with underworld club bustle and street activity.

Angel III: The Final Chapter Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Tom DeSimone.

• Still Gallery (1:32) collects publicity shots, BTS pictures, and personal snaps from DeSimone's archive.

• And a Trailer (1:25, HD) is included.

Angel III: The Final Chapter Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Kapture is actually very sharp on the role, selling pure silliness as Molly/Angel enters the world of adult films, exposed to odd professionals and fellow actresses. DeSimone isn't concerned with escalation, allowing the movie to play fairly flat for most of its run time, but he does have cinematographer Howard Wexler, who does a great job making the feature seem bigger and flashier than it really is. As low-budget eye candy, "Angel III: The Final Chapter" (there was another sequel produced in 1994) does the trick, but it's a case of diminishing returns with the story of Molly, who began the series as a tragic figure of abuse and ends it here as a lead of her own television detective series.