Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 10, 2014

During a decade of terrorist thrillers and paranoia cinema, 1974’s “Juggernaut” emerges as a crisp, efficient chapter in the era’s examination of global mayhem. Director Richard Lester submits some of the tightest work of his career in this engrossing suspense effort, trading theatrics to take on a coldly procedural event that’s teeming with A-list actors, working with a script that’s paced wonderfully, always paying close attention to the nail-biting aspects of the story. “Juggernaut” is deceptively casual, yet there’s hardly moment when it’s not extracting near-perfect details of character and setting.

The set-up is familiar: a madman has placed drums of explosives on the SS Britanic, requiring the captain (Omar Sharif), cops (including Anthony Hopkins), executives (Ian Holm), and a bomb-disposal crew (Richard Harris) to team up and thwart disaster, racing against time and battling outside interference to save the ship. Instead of leaning into hysterics, Lester leads with dry British charm, embracing the inherent tension of the moment by exploring cracks in the characters as they’re tripped up by a most cunning adversary -- a mysterious figure skilled at booby traps and phoned-in taunts. While this is not a runaway mine cart of a movie, Lester is mindful of tempo, keeping pressure a priority while masterful editing by Antony Gibbs secures creative transitions. The bomb dilemma is enough to fuel the effort, yet the production goes beyond, focusing on the personalities involved and the general sway of the ship itself, which provides its own test of endurance as it rocks back and forth, taxing wire-snipping endeavors.

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) carries inherent cinematographic softness, but preservation of a filmic appearance is consistent, with supportive grain and adequate detail throughout. Colors are natural, without obvious fade, exploring stable hues with ship interiors and costuming. Skintones are accurate. Blacks displays a few moments of solidification, but largely preserve distances and dense clothing. Print damage isn't distracting, with speckling and mild debris.

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't built for dimension, carrying suspense through a simple assembly of sound effects and dialogue exchanges. Voices carry sharp highs, but the overall flow of group interaction and pressurized banter is sustained to satisfaction, with clarity on accents. Atmospherics are expressive, with metallic ship activities and churning waters, while delicate bomb defusing actions are crisp and tight. Hiss is minimal.

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:55, HD) has been included.

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lester being Lester, comedy survives, focused on the crew's quest to sustain the party atmosphere for passengers while certain doom lingers in the air. Laugh breaks are welcome, yet "Juggernaut" is best served cold, highlighting the daily business of distraction and moral debate, while bomb examination and disarming sequences ripple with unease. Without excess and frenzy, Lester manages to create a spectacular thriller, deploying his ace ensemble with sniper-like precision, while giving the doomsday genre a swift shot of austerity to sustain horror.