5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.1 |
A young teenager camping in the woods helps rescue the President of the United States when Air Force One is shot down near his campsite.
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Stevenson, Victor Garber, Felicity Huffman, Ted LevineAction | 100% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
TrueHD 5.1 theatrical cut only
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Big Game is a fun little movie that's more fantasy than reality, a kid's perspective Action/Coming-of-Age flick in which a young boy becomes a man when the weight of the world suddenly drops on his shoulders, when success or failure in dire consequences comes down to the unproven mettle of a physically untrained but mentally prepared youngster with visions of saving the day where everyone else couldn't. Indeed, the film plays out like an active adolescent dream, a dream of good versus evil, of survival, of building courage and standing tall in the face of danger, of playing the role of hero on a grand adventure. For this reviewer -- and this was many, many, many years ago -- that fantasy involved saving the day in karate class when bad guys burst through the door and did away with all of the more highly skilled older kids, leaving the instructor to call on the white belts to save the day, which of course always happened in the end. One cannot help but wonder whether the material, from Writer/Director Jalmari Helander (Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale), isn't based on some recurring childhood fantasy of his own making. Regardless of how the story came to be, Big Game proves a simple entertainer that should satisfy audiences in search of true Action-based escapism that plays on both a personally intimate and physically large scale.
Unlikely allies.
Big Game's 1080p transfer is glossy, glossy, glossy. The digital photography results in a picture that's as smooth as a baby's bottom but nevertheless nicely defined and accurate considering the source. While a few blurry edges creep in here and there, the image is consistently sharp, revealing all sorts of finely honed textures -- smooth and clean Air Force One interiors, rugged terrain, grimy skin details, and clothes -- with remarkable accuracy. The transfer's effortless sharpness, clarity, and high attention to detail is evident even at distance, notably in some early flyover shots that reveal the beautiful terrain with pinpoint accuracy. Colors are satisfyingly bold, with some brightly colored clothes standing out against the gray-heavy rocky and green-hued vegetation backdrops seen throughout the film. Black levels are nicely deep and flesh tones, while pushing a bit pale, look nice. The transfer displays no immediately obvious examples of banding, excess noise, macroblocking, or other unwanted intrusions. All in all, and despite the naturally glossy digital veneer that will probably be a love-or-hate look, this is a technically sound presentation and a winner of a transfer from Anchor Bay.
Big Game features a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, which is, unfortunately, available only with the theatrical cut. Anchor Bay has included only a drastically inferior Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack with the unrated cut. That's the bad news. The good news is that the 5.1 track is a treat. It's dynamically engaging, presenting every element at its disposal with commendable robustness and stage presence that creates a big, immersive, theater quality sound style. Music is heathy and deep, enjoying easy full-stage flow -- including an effortless surround wrap -- and a weighty, but balanced, low end. Gunfire and explosions are also hefty and deep, yielding a good bit of concussive power in the most robust action scenes. Ambient effects are impressive, with chilly air and other minor, but mood-critical, examples of natural outdoor ambience routinely filling the stage. Dialogue is placed in the center with minor reverberations when the situation demands. Vocal clarity is pristine throughout.
Big Game's only "special feature" is the unrated cut of the film accessed via the "special features" tab. The original cut runs 1:26:48 while the unrated version runs 1:30:33. The unrated cut features only a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack.
Big Game is a straightforward film that's as predictable as they come, but it's also charming in its simplicity. The action is decent, the hero characters are generic but nonetheless likable, and the villains are just plain-old generic. Gorgeous locations, an interesting blend of adult-themed and childlike action and atmosphere, and solid enough performances make the movie an overall net plus that Action fans should enjoy. Anchor Bay's featureless Blu-ray comes in two varieties, offering both a theatrical and extended cut. It's a shame the longer version doesn't include a 5.1 soundtrack, which is excellent on the theatrical cut. Video is top shelf, too, so long as viewers don't mind digital gloss. Recommended.
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