6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Ex-Green Beret Matt Collins is kidnapped along with his fiancée, Lauren Sadler, by crazed hunter extraordinaire Danton Vachs. Every year he holds a contest where people can purchase the right to hunt down and kill a human being. This time, Collins is to be the hunted. Vachs uses Lauren as motivation for Collins to really fight to survive and thus provide the buyers with a truly exceptional hunt. Collins is turned loose on an uncharted island and four killers set out to find and kill him.
Starring: Mike Norris, Billy Drago, Chad McQueen, Don Swayze, Elizabeth SungAction | 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 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
1992’s “Death Ring” is a fairly routine riff on the “The Most Dangerous Game” premise, but for those who grew up during the age of the video store, the picture has a certain notoriety, participating in the practice of misleading marketing to help attract some attention to bottom shelf viewing options. The cover art blasted actor billing in bold: “NORRIS. MCQUEEN. SWAYZE.” Such last names conjured dreams of a pre-“Expendables” romp with a few of cinema’s most sandpapery leading men. Alas, it was merely a ruse to secure a rental, with unsuspecting folks soon forced to watch a film starring Chad MCQUEEN, Mike NORRIS, and Don SWAYZE. It’s a significant comedown from the real deal, but the sons and brother manage to deliver some entertainment with “Death Ring,” which is really The Mike Norris Show, taking a story credit and the leading man role to showcase his presence as an actor hero, kicking and punching his way through a basic but diverting B-movie.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Death Ring" is listed as a "new 2K master" of the movie. Detail comes through nicely, exploring facial particulars on this motley crew of actors. Island tours are dimensional, and interiors show off decoration and signage. Costuming is fibrous, from casual survival gear to lacier lingerie. Colors are strong throughout, with natural skintones and primaries on clothing, including deep red outfits on Ms. Ling. Greenery is exact. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers a balanced, wider listening experience for "Death Ring." The picture isn't especially ambitious with sound, but dialogue exchanges are crisp and clear, handling sometime mumbled performances choices well. Scoring offers a defined presence, with sharp synth. Sound effects are also clean, with bullet hits and body blows. Subtitles aren't included.
Kizer offers efficient direction, trying to cover for his lack of budget (fake walls are quite noticeable), and he provides acceptable escalation with Matt's challenge of survival, securing faint suspense with his deadly encounters, which make up the second half of the film. "Death Ring" works in its own smaller ways, and while it certainly would be a more interesting endeavor with the well-known versions of SWAYZE, MCQUEEN, and NORRIS, the production gets by with the JV squad, who work to make this professional opportunity count, sweating to earn that hilariously deceptive billing.
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