7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A redneck police force lords over a middle American community, regularly terrorizing and assaulting black citizens. Fred Williamson arrives in town to bury his brother (a victim of police brutality) and stays to try and right the injustice.
Starring: Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, Thalmus Rasulala, Tony King (I), Bernie HamiltonCrime | Insignificant |
Drama | 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 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In 1975’s “Bucktown,” director Arthur Marks gives star Fred Williamson room to do exactly his thing, which is to project attitude, remain cat nip for the ladies, and suck down a few of his trademark cigars. There’s no algebra here, with the star settling easily into the hero role, portraying a tough black guy putting himself up against the might of law enforcement, which is staffed by racist white boobs. “Bucktown” does try to avoid the norm by contorting the story’s vision of villainy, but the basics are prized by Marks, who keeps up the action and posing as he makes a sturdy, exciting entry in the Blaxploitation subgenre.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation isn't a fresh scan of "Bucktown," but it does fairly well for an MGM catalog title. Some softness is encountered (focus issues are easily observed), but age isn't problematic, finding mild speckling and scratches. Detail is satisfactory, capturing the textures of the urban locations, delivering dimensional street tours and interior decoration. Costuming retains period fabrics, and facial particulars are passable, securing degrees of physical abuse. Colors are appealing, doing well with neon signage and offerings of high fashion, delivering bolder purples and golds. Skintones are natural. Delineation is secure.
"Bucktown" is a low-budget endeavor and not always attentive to the needs of perfect audio. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't strong, fighting troublesome recording issues, which causes the volume to fluctuate between scenes. Intelligibility isn't erased, but it's challenging to hear some lines of dialogue. Performances retain some level of pronunciation, especially with heated exchanges. Scoring remains steady, supplying compelling instrumentation to maintain the funk flavors of the film. Sound effects are blunt, but gun shots, glass breakage, and property damage are understood.
"Bucktown" is entertaining and remains active, with Williamson beating up opponents and dodging bullets, eventually graduating to more destructive methods to extend his life. It's strong work from the actor, who manages to give a performance, joined by a feisty Grier and an authoritative Rasulala. Technical credits are a little shaky at times, but Marks is wise to pay attention to the basics of conflict and physical might, prioritizing stunt work to give "Bucktown" some extra punch. Subgenre demands are met, and Williamson remains the king, adding another offering of escapism in a filmography already packed full of such endeavors.
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