6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
When Dr. Horatio Kane is kidnapped and is forced to create an army of martial artists his daughter Kandy Kane is the only one who can help. She enlists the help of Steve Chase to save her father and the day.
Starring: James Ryan (IV), Anneline Kriel, Michael Mayer (VII), Marloe Scott Wilson, Bill Flynn (I)Action | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Technically, 1981’s “Kill and Kill Again” is a sequel to 1980’s “Kill or Be Killed,” but the productions have little in common besides star James Ryan, who’s not even playing the same character. However, hindsight is apparent throughout the picture, as it takes what worked before and amplifies the actioner attitude of the follow-up, with director Ivan Hall (returning for duty) creating a bigger adventure that’s filled with martial arts demonstrations and meaty threats, but escalates the whole thing into a James Bond-style spy extravaganza set in South Africa, only without a grand budget.
Listed as a "Brand new 2016 HD scan from the original interpositive," "Kill and Kill Again" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Already a bright picture that primarily takes place outdoors, the movie offers some signs of age, delivering a viewing experience that's periodically fine with detail, picking up on location distances and character particulars, including textured reactions to pain and panic. Softness fluctuates throughout. Costuming also showcases intended sheerness. Color is strong, aided by the bright presence of pink and blue, and greenery is comfortable. Skintones are accurate. Delineation is secure. Source is without significant areas of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't sophisticated, but the essentials arrive without issue. Dialogue exchanges are clear, working through multiple accents and performance intensity. Scoring is louder and defined to satisfaction, contributing lively instrumentation to help sell the heroic mood of the endeavor. Sound effects are direct, capturing punches and kicks, and group dynamic for cult scenes is clear.
"Kill and Kill Again" builds as it goes, graduating from occasional attacks to a gladiatorial-style conclusion that puts Steve to the ultimate test of power. Everything is heightened in the film, and there's comedy to help ease any severity, making the endeavor more fun than frightening. Hall also works in as much directorial flavoring as he can, paying attention to fluid camerawork and adding what's been labeled as the first use of "bullet time" in a feature, though don't get your hopes up for the climatic reveal. "Kill and Kill Again" is engaging, and Ryan makes for a strong leading man, commanding the picture with steely determination and a compelling display of martial arts skills. The screenplay is also attentive to character, using broad personalities to help boost the mood of the effort. Granted, it's simple formula, and the movie isn't a true showcase of physical skill, but it supplies an amusing adventure punctuated with beat downs and broad villainy.
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