5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
An ex-special ops agent is lured out of retirement to rescue his mentor. To make the rescue, he must complete a near-impossible mission of killing three tough-as-nails assassins with a cunning leader.
Starring: Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, Dominic Purcell, Aden YoungAction | 100% |
Thriller | 75% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.41:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
BD-Live
D-Box
Mobile features
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
I'm beginning to wonder why Jason Statham vehicles have titles. It would be easier to just franchise the brawny Brit's name. The Transporter? Jason Statham. Revolver? Jason Statham 4. Crank? Jason Statham 6. The Mechanic? Jason Statham 15. I get the appeal, I do; no matter how awful Crank and High Voltage strike me, I understand the allure of mindless, hyperkinetic action. And I'll be the first to admit Hollywood's annointed action heavyweight has delivered a few standout genre pics. (The Bank Job is a great little heist flick and Death Race is a personal guilty pleasure, ridiculous as it is.) But Statham is far more effective in supporting roles. Snatch. The Italian Job. The Expendables. So where does Killer Elite fall? Don't be fooled: fledgling director Gary McKendry's debut may feature Robert De Niro and Clive Owen, but it's a lock-jawed, stone-faced Jason Statham vehicle through and through. Oh, I'm sure it will have its fans, and I'm sure its worst reviews will elicit cries of "come on, it's not that bad." But Killer Elite is a unremitting misfire that has a home on my list of the more disappointing films of 2011.
If you're gunning for a snazzy video presentation, though, look no further. Killer Elite boasts a first-class 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that doesn't leave a single fine detail behind. Simon Duggan's stylized palette ranges from dusty to under-saturated but never strays from McKendry's intentions. Color and contrast remain striking throughout, skintones are dead on, black levels are deadly, and delineation is perfectly primed for every cloak-and-dagger shock and surprise. There's a hint of grain, and it spikes a bit here and there, but its presence suits the film well and never interferes with the array of refined, wonderfully resolved textures on display. Closeups are nothing short of stunning as well, and edge definition is razor sharp, without any disconcerting ringing or aliasing to speak of. Moreover, I didn't catch sight of any compression anomalies (artifacting, banding, crush, et al), and there isn't a hint of noise reduction. If I have any complaint it's that crush is an occasional issue, even if it rarely amounts to a distraction. Suffice it to say, Killer Elite may miss the target but its video transfer gets the job done.
Aside from the aforementioned ADR -- which is really, really terrible at times -- Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is a blast. Gunfire kicks, explosions hit hard, engines roar, punches connect with meaty oomph, and Elite's already aggressive soundscape only impresses that much more with such an able-bodied lossless mix strapped to its hip. LFE output is a bit over the top, sure, but so is the film; genre junkies won't flinch for a second. The rear speakers are angry and assertive, riveting even, and make the most of every action scene, be it a silent assassination or a guns-blazing shootout. Directionality is decisive, pans are slick and smooth, and dynamics are frenzied and fiery. Dialogue is clean, clear and intelligible too; thin, tinny and cumbersome ADR notwithstanding. So enjoy, action fans. Killer Elite's AV presentation takes the film's title seriously.
Thirteen deleted scenes (HD, 10 minutes) fill in some gaps, but not with anything remotely compelling. Otherwise, the Blu-ray edition of Killer Elite is as barebones as recent theatrical releases come. It's especially strange since Universal typically throws its full weight behind a film's supplemental package. Even The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption is loaded with special features. Signs of a troubled production? A lack of studio confidence? Filmmaker disappointment? Or simply a limited budget? I'm guessing the answer will remain a mystery.
Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro? Killer Elite could have been so much more; should have been so much more. Instead, it wastes its A-list cast, hobbles along on a bum leg, and has to contend with everything from a generic genre script to problematic performances, stilted plotting and some dim-witted dialogue. Universal's Blu-ray release steadies its aim, though. While its 10-minute supplemental package adds insult to injury, its outstanding video transfer and excellent DTS-HD Master Audio mix more than makes up it. If only the film itself was worth the cost of admission...
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