6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
A father is without the means to pay for his daughter's medical treatment. As a last resort, he partners with a greedy co-worker to rob a casino. When things go awry they're forced to hijack a city bus.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Dave Bautista, Kate Bosworth, Gina CaranoDrama | Insignificant |
Crime | 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 5.1
English, English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
There are around 30 exact title matches for Heist on the IMDb, including not just feature films, but television properties (and individual episode names), perhaps one indication of just how generic this already generic moniker has been over the years. The fact that among the search results is one Heist still “in development” perhaps serves to prove this appellation is not going anywhere soon, though some curmudgeons may hope than any future Heists will have a bit more to offer than the, well, generic blandishments of this particular entry. The not always reliable Wikipedia actually states that this Heist began life under a different designation, namely Bus 657, an alias which in and of itself may hint at a cinematic antecedent which bears another generic alias which is almost humorously ubiquitous as a title, Speed (as evidenced by the fact that this title generates even more search results on the IMDb than Heist does). The sad fact remains that, unlike a rose which retains its sweet aroma despite what you call it (or something like that), probably no other handle could have saved Heist from its own middling ambience. This is one of those films where even iconic stalwarts like Robert De Niro seem to be there mostly to earn a paycheck, while an overly convoluted and yet simultaneously hackneyed plot offers engagement only in fits and starts.
Heist is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. Shot digitally with the Red Epic, Heist is curiously underwhelming a lot of the time in this high definition presentation. Some may be actually gobsmacked by the artifacts on display on the opening menu screen, and unfortunately that proclivity continues throughout the presentation, often resulting in so much yellow splotchiness that the underlying imagery becomes hard to see (see screenshots 11 and 13 for two examples). Director Scott Mann and cinematographer Brandon Cox have played with various bells and whistles in post, "distressing" and/or desaturating certain sequences, and those techniques at least help to explain the softness of those scenes. But other scenes shot in reasonable light and featuring midrange to close-up work are often unexpectedly soft looking, and that softness is further exacerbated by some actual focus pulling issues which are transitory but noticeable.
Luckily, Heist's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio exhibits none of the issues of the video presentation. While this is a typically pretty noisy mix, offering bursts of LFE and lots of whiz-bang panning effects especially once the film moves into its bus setting, there are also relatively nuanced elements that help to establish the claustrophobic confines of that very vehicle. Surround activity is consistent, if sometimes hackneyed. Dialogue is presented cleanly and clearly and is well prioritized throughout the film.
- Scott Mann - Director (1080i; 7:29)
- Max Adams - Writer (1080p; 6:11)
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan (1080p; 4:26)
- Kate Bosworth (1080p; 4:43)
- Mark-Paul Gosselaar (1080p; 3:35)
- Gina Carano (1080p; 4:09)
- Morris Chestnut (1080p; 2:34)
- D.B. Sweeney (1080p; 4:37)
Heist ends up being as generic as its title, despite the fact that the screenplay attempts to throw the audience a few ostensible curve balls along the way. Morgan is excellent in what has basically become his trademark role, that of a grizzled, conflicted guy with a five day stubble who is forced to do questionable things for a noble reason. The large supporting cast is generally quite good, but De Niro seems to be there simply to spout his lines with vitriol and pick up a paycheck. Video quality is a bit spotty but audio is great for those considering a purchase.
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