6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 3.7 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
When former black ops operative Cross (Seagal) and his partner Manning (Austin) are assigned to decommission an old prison, they must oversee the arrival of two mysterious female prisoners. Before long, an elite force of mercenaries assault the prison in search of the new arrivals. As the true identities of the women are revealed, Cross realizes he's caught in the middle of something far bigger than he had imagined.
Starring: Steve Austin (IV), Steven Seagal, Michael Paré, Aliyah O'Brien, Ian RobisonAction | 100% |
Crime | 44% |
Martial arts | 25% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
I'll kill them before they kill you.
"Kill or be killed" is basically what's at the center -- and every outer layer -- of Maximum Conviction, a shoot-em-up Action flick with no
ambitions of novelty and no course of action other
than the
predetermined run-and-gun run-through that leaves characters flat, the plot inconsequential, and the sounds loud. But if gunplay is what excites the
senses, then Maximum Conviction gets the job done. Steve Austin and Steven Seagal pair up for a clichéd and recycled shooter that packs in
a lot of fatal firefights and fervent fisticuffs into a movie that's completely built around pounding the screen with nearly incessant violence. Any sort of
character moments or drama are merely
vehicles for transporting audiences to the next action scene. Credit the movie for holding firm to its strengths and rushing headfirst into the hail of
gunfire
it gleefully produces, but audiences craving a little something deeper will be left disappointed with what is a brainless Action flick that's best enjoyed as
a classic time waster and nothing more.
Austin 3:16 says there shouldn't be any damn lasers here!
Maximum Conviction might not be the prettiest film out there -- it's dark; lack's vibrant colors; and takes place in a bland, largely nondescript locale -- but Anchor Bay's 1080p transfer is nevertheless highly proficient and very rarely with technical fault. The digital photography yields very crisp lines and natural details. Whether Steven Seagal's complex skin textures or mesh webbing and nylon on tactical vests and gear, the photography reveals some outstanding details that largely impress even in the darker frames. As noted, the palette is rather bland, heavy with blacks and grays and other nondescript shades, but bright red blood and other splashes of color are handled expertly throughout. Skin tones are accurate, but black levels tend to occasionally drift towards appearing slightly washed out, particularly evident in the film's opening minutes. Banding is barely noticeable, noise isn't an issue, and other eyesores are nonexistent. Overall, this is a tip-top transfer from Anchor Bay.
Maximum Conviction wallops sound systems with a potent Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Anchor Bay's presentation is aggressive and exciting, even if the front channels largely dominate the action. Gunfire errupts with a surprisingly heavy force and rips through the stage with ease. Explosions also hit very hard, solidified by strong bass, and send debris flying across the front half of the stage. The incessant dramatic action music plays with strong clarity and pinpoint accuracy with a wide front-side sound field and robust notes. Ambient effects are satisfying as well, whether the hum of machinery or the din of a crowded bar. That bar scene does drown out a few lines of dialogue, but otherwise the spoken word enjoys the sort of natural, precise clarity listeners expect from a top-tier lossless soundtrack. While it could stand some more prominent and discrete sound effects, this presentation's raw energy and enthusiasm make it a winner.
Maximum Conviction contains an audio commentary track and four featurettes.
It doesn't require a doctorate in film to realize that Maximum Conviction may be the epitome of the brainless shooter. One look at the box says all one really needs to ascertain what's inside (nothing like truth in advertising). The film substitutes music for drama and muscle for brains. It works on a basic level and achieves what it sets out to accomplish, which is admirable. The movie is built for viewers in search of raw action and will rightly turn away those looking for more dramatic depth. At least it's focused. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Maximum Conviction features strong video and audio presentations. A few extras are included. Die-hard Action fans will enjoy a rental and maybe even a purchase when and if the price drops down below $10.
2013
2005
2010
2018
2013
1995
2015
2017
2016
2005
2002
2016
2016
2010
2005
Final Mission
2018
2018
2003
1992
1990