7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.6 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Paris, 2010. An isolation wall surrounds the ghetto cities of District B13. Within these walls, without effective law enforcement, gang rule is absolute. Damien is a member of an elite police squadron, highly trained in martial arts. He goes undercover to infiltrate a gang in order to defuse a neutron bomb and save District B13 from annihilation. Damien recruits the help of a criminal named Leito - whose only goal is to save his sister from the clutches of the same gang.
Starring: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle, Tony D'Amario, Bibi Naceri, Dany VerissimoAction | 100% |
Thriller | 79% |
Crime | 59% |
Martial arts | 51% |
Foreign | 24% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-2
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
French: DTS-HD HR 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
English: DTS-HD HR 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Both DTS- HD HR 5.1 tracks are (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
For better or worse, currently Luc Besson is one of the most widely recognized in the United States French directors. His flashy, action-packed, fast-paced blockbusters have found plenty of admirers in a market where Hollywood is still a king. And this should count for something. Not surprisingly, the written and produced by the Frenchman Banlieue 13 (2004) is more of what he currently does best – mainstream action films.
Paris, 2010, the Banlieue a.k.a the ghetto. Leito (David Belle) has stolen a large batch of heroin from Taha (Larbi Naceri), the local drug-guru, who has sent his best men to claim it back. When they arrive in the abandoned apartment complex where Leito resides the youngster quickly dumps the precious cargo in a bath full of water. The goons are upset. Leito evades them and a deadly chase ensues. Unfortunately for Taha’s men Leito disappears. Enraged the drug lord kidnaps Leito’s sister (Dany Verissimo).
In the meantime, undercover cop Damien (Cyril Raffaelli) leads a successful operation against a formidable Latin kingpin who controls the local betting business. Impressed by Damien’s success the local police chief asks him to lead a special operation whose goal is to neutralize a highly lethal rocket Taha’s men have acquired. Damien agrees but there is a slight problem – he does not know the ins and outs of the Banlieue. This is where Leito reappears.
Top dog
One of the early Magnolia Pictures releases, encoded with the now largely abandoned MPEG-2 codec, Banlieue 13 arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p, 2.35:1 transfer. And the results here are not bad at all. The color scheme is well handled as richness and depth are certainly present. Contrast on the other hand varies given the film's composure and stylized look. Some of the darker scenes within the industrial premise where Taha resides tend to look a bit too sharpened for my taste but overall the gritty look of the film more or less blends and masks them well (unfortunately this is also the area where you are likely to notice some color banding). Still, the transfer does come quite close to having that solid popping look that appears to be enjoyed by a large number of BD enthusiasts.
The following tracks are offered on this disc - English DTS-HD 5.1 Surround, French DTS-HD 5.1 Surround, English Dolby Digital-EX 5.1 Surround, and French Dolby Digital-EX 5.1 Surround. Right off the bat I must note that if you are planning on using the dub I must warn you that you are in for a disappointment. There are some notable sync issues to report here. As far as the French DTS-HD track is concerned I have nothing but great words to spare. It is very potent, active, and quite well balanced. During the action scenes inside the industrial building there are some excellent echo effects that should force you to turn your head a few times. The bass is also solid – it is heavy, with a prominent presence, yet not overpowering. The major issue I have here relates to the largely simplified translation of the French dialog (often dumbed down and Americanized) as well as the improper subtitles. The producers of this disc have basically created a hybrid of HOH and traditional subs that more or less will irritate those of you that are not accustomed to such sort of translations (example: throughout the film you will read "door opens", "gun shots", etc). Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles are offered.
On this BD you will find a small section of outtakes that did not make it to the final version of the film, a rather long documentary divided into five subsections - "Preparation," "The Casino," "The Shoot," "Parkour," and "The Actors" – as well as a few extended scenes which hardly add anything more to the film. The aces from Banlieue 13, David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli, working on their stunts are probably the only reason you would want to spend time on these supplemental materials.
David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli showcasing unbelievable athleticism and performing stunts that would force many to sit on the edge of their seats is what gives Banlieue 13 much needed credibility. The rest of this film is undoubtedly below average, neither the story nor the manner in which it is told would challenge your intelligence. If this is the type of entertainment you are looking for then by all means Banlieue 13 is your ticket. The BD courtesy of Magnolia Pictures does not provide a top-notch quality presentation but the basics are nevertheless solid. I am certain you will not be disappointed by the sound and look of this disc.
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