5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
An ex-Special Forces operator takes a job to provide security for a journalist as she interviews a dictator, but a military coup breaks out in the middle of the interview, and they are forced to escape into the jungle where they must survive.
Starring: John Cena, Alison Brie, Juan Pablo Raba, Christian Slater, Alice EveComedy | 100% |
Action | 45% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.38:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Director Pierre Morel’s career started off strong, overseeing the charming parkour entertainment of “District 13,” and he stunned the world with his efficient command of 2008’s smash sleeper, “Taken,” showing comfort with straightforward action storytelling. Everything post-“Taken” has been a disappointment, with Morel unable to replicate his largest hit, overseeing duds such as “The Gunman” and “Peppermint” over the years. He’s back in the genre with “Freelance,” which is initially presented as more of a comedy, following the activity of a reluctant hero trying to keep himself and other people alive in South American jungles. Laughs aren’t present in the feature, which eventually sheds its comedic interests, giving viewers a film of confusing tonality, while Morel hopes to cover for the mess of “Freelance” with bloody violence and quippy co-stars, adding another dud to his baffling career.
The AVC encoded image (2.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Freelance" offers a clean look at frame information. Detail is strong throughout the viewing experience, providing a textured look at skin particulars with the various ages of the cast, along with makeup work detailing physical harm. Costuming is fibrous, and retains intended sheerness at times. Locations are dimensional, examining the expanse of jungle activity as the characters deal with violent attacks. Interiors are also deep, visiting village living spaces and offices, with decorative additions open for study. Primaries are defined, with a brighter, sun-blasted sense of color. Greenery is distinct. Costuming carries more vivid hues at times, along with signage and celebratory decoration. Skin tones are deep, with some golden bodies on display. Delineation is satisfactory. Brief, mild banding is present.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides an immersive listening experience for "Freelance." Surrounds are active, perking up with scenes of violence and confusion, creating opportunities for panning effects, including swirling helicopter movement. Gunfights are also active, offering a circular sense of danger. Musical moods push out as well, and scoring cues are defined, with sharp instrumentation throughout. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, handling accents and comedic timing. Argumentative behavior is balanced. Low-end supplies weight with explosions. Atmospherics are appreciable, handling community bustle and jungle activity.
Morel can't get "Freelance" up and running, stuck with subpar visual effects and miscast actors, including Csokas, who's absolutely dreadful here, emerging as the wrong person to portray a hardened killer. Pacing is torpedoed by all the government asides, and the light-ish tone of early scenes is gradually replaced by concern as Mason starts to grasp what's going on, watching Juan at work, also visiting rural parts of Caldonia. More violent events are examined in the picture, but they're somewhat rare for what's initially presented as an actioner, making for a bewildering sit at times. It's difficult to care deeply about cartoonish characters, leaving "Freelance" open to become more of a snowballing good time with frazzled players in a dangerous game. Geopolitical worries have no place here, quickly shutting down whatever fun factor Morel originally had in mind.
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