6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Considered too dangerous to be on the force, ex-cop Mickey McCardle is tormented by the brutal murder of his partner. When a serial killer begins to stalk the streets of New York, McCardle senses that the same man responsible for his partner's death is to blame. Obsessed by his suspicions, McCardle must rise from the shambles of his life and take up a trail of revenge.
Starring: Joe Ambrose, Tom Billett, Paul Borghese, Angel Caban, Bob GosseHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
BDInfo, reads as 96kHz, 24-bit
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
1989’s “Blue Vengeance” is a cop movie with horror interests, though co-writer/co-director J. Christian Ingvordsen does a lot more than simply blend genres. The picture is more of a sandbox where the production plays with different ideas of suspense and action, using the wilds of New York City in a rather exciting way, keeping the low-budget endeavor on the move as it tries to make a manhunt feature with limited resources. “Blue Vengeance” has obvious technical and filmmaking limitations, leaving it best suited for low expectations, which permits its askew vision for procedure and gore to shine brightest, watching Ingvordsen have a ball cooking up strange events in his home city, giving the effort a compelling B-movie spin.
A 2K scan from the 35mm OCN, the "Blue Vengeance" Blu-ray experience is extremely impressive, managing to bring a very obscure title to HD with excellent results. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is bright and defined, doing wonders with facial particulars, which carry extremely appealing textures. Surfaces for club interiors and street adventures are preserved as well, giving the viewing experience the right amount of urban decay and filth. Colors are vivid, with strong primaries securing period hues on costuming and set decoration, and cityscapes are just as healthy, offering a consistent marquee and neon glow. Murderous appetites enjoy bursts of red, and greenery is evocative, communicating the seasonal splendor of the locations. Skintones are natural. Grain is heavier but quite filmic. Delineation isn't problematic. Source is clear and clean, without any pronounced damage.
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix largely thrives on chaos, with horror, punk rock, and city activity competing for speaker time. "Blue Vengeance" manages to keep things in order, offering satisfying dialogues exchanges, which maintain their intimidation factor and argumentative tone. Soundtrack selections are a bit more hectic with aggressive instrumentation, but nothing is lost to distortion. Some sibilance issues are present from time to time. Action beats are supported with clear sound effects, and atmospherics with urban tours and waterside activities are handled well.
"Blue Vengeance" isn't a campy endeavor, but some laughs are found with moviemaking choices and location limitations, including a sobering scene of guilt at the funeral of McCardle's partner, which is shot across the street from the cemetery through rush hour traffic. It's difficult to capture the emotion of the moment with trucks blocking the view. Other goofy choices and accidents are present, but the helmers are mostly after a vibe, not precision, having fun mounting an action film without permits, keeping the story weaving around NYC, peppered with violent showdowns. It's a strange picture, no doubt, but an entertaining one, working very hard to turn moviemaking obstacles into permission slips.
1990
2014
2018
The Presence / The Haunted
1989
1988
Collector's Edition
1992
80th Anniversary Edition
1944
2013
Unrated
2010
Unrated Director's Cut
2008
Unrated Director's Cut
2007
Unrated Edition
2006
Unrated Edition
2005
1980
1982
2023
2001
Special Edition
1988
Standard Edition
1959
2009