6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
POW's rescued from tiger cages in Vietnam are brought into a secret mission by an Army Captain. However when the group finds a cache of gold, greed sets in and the mission goes awry.
Starring: Clive Wood, Baird Stafford, Mike Monty, Jim Gaines, Robert MariusWar | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
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 | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
In the 1980s, filmmakers became more confident when exploring the darkness and psychological horrors of the Vietnam War, with Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning “Platoon” developing audience interest in the experiences of those who fought in the conflict. There were many releases during the decade, some providing a respectful understanding of war, while others elected to transform the event into exploitation entertainment. 1987’s “Dog Tags” is somewhere in the middle. Writer/director Romano Scavolini looks to pour his own experiences as a war reporter into the screenplay, which details the agony of survival and battlefield confusion, blended with a little “The Treasure of Sierra Madre” flavoring to achieve some level of marketplace accessibility. “Dog Tags” isn’t “Platoon,” but Scavolini has a powerful understanding of sacrifice, and he’s attentive to the many dangers of the landscape, trying to generate more of a nightmare scenario than something mournful.
The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation on "Dog Tags" represents the "uncut original English language version" of the picture. A 4K scan of the 35mm interpositive, the viewing experience supports the often grisly examination of wartime horrors, doing well with detail, which examines wear and tear on the soldiers and their juicy wounds. Sweaty appearances are preserved, along with textured uniforms and weaponry. Exterior tours are dimensional, taking in the depths of the jungle, and military interiors retain particulars on communication and tracking devices. Colors are respectfully refreshed, with lush greenery throughout. Costuming registers with militaristic hues, and red blood is vivid. Screen readouts offer more extreme primaries, along with club lighting. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition.
A note from Vinegar Syndrome shares information about the 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix, which was pieced together from various sources to complete the uncut version of "Dog Tags," resulting in some "sound imperfections." The reality of the track isn't that severe, with volume fluctuations found during the listening event, and some mild damage. Intelligibility isn't threatened, capturing dialogue exchanges and argumentative behavior. Scoring delivers clear instrumentation and dramatic support. Atmospherics are also involving, with a sense of environmental changes, joined by snappy sound effects.
"Dog Tags" is more appreciable as an ultraviolent war film, going into the details of wounds and jeopardy, also commentating on the expendability of soldiers in a vivid manner. Scavolini has ideas worth sharing on the Vietnam War experience, and the cast capably communicates such torment. "Dog Tags" is overlong in this "uncut" version (editing would help here), but it does create some visceral experiences along the way, adding another layer of moviemaking texture to the cinematic understanding of wartime risk.
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