Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

McBain Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 26, 2023

The 1980s were a big time for action cinema, with the heroes of the screen getting physically larger and productions were going overboard trying to give viewers an explosive good time with broad entertainment. There was brawn, and in some cases, an appreciation of the veteran experience connected to the Vietnam War, adding some sense of respect and compassion to the usual package of R-rated violence and big screen spectacle. There was Chuck Norris in the “Missing in Action” series, and Sylvester Stallone dominated the box office with his numerous “Rambo” films. For 1991, writer/director James Glickenhaus has…Christopher Walken. “McBain” tries to find a different kind of screen savior with the lauded actor, who makes a rare appearance in an action event, taking on the part of a psychologically stained man processing his Vietnam horrors through an act of honor and revenge, bringing American freedoms to Columbia. “McBain” looks to Stallone-ify Walken, giving him a simple tale of mercenary might to manage, and he offers a range of blank, sometimes confused expressions while Glickenhaus tries to summon a thunderous war epic, investing in fireballs and firearms to create enough screen chaos to please genre fans.

In 1973, as the Vietnam War was coming to a close, soldiers Frank (Michael Ironside), Eastland (Steve James), Gill (Thomas G. Waites), Carl (Jay Patterson), and Santos (Chick Vennera) were called home, eager to return to America. During a helicopter ride out of the war zone, Santos spots a camp, insisting the team check it out. They discover POWs being used for labor and entertainment, managing to take control of the area, freeing the men, including McBain (Christopher Walken), who pledges a life debt to Santos for his bravery. 18 years later, Santos is in Columbia leading a rebellion against President Boroquez (Victor Argo), a tyrant who’s handed the country over to drug lords who’ve enslaved the people, keeping the cocaine business booming. Trying to take over the presidential compound, Santos is killed in the process. His sister, Christina (Maria Conchita Alonso), elects to find help, traveling to New York City, connecting with McBain, reminding him of her sibling’s honor and sharing his vision of a democratic Columbia. Accepting the mission, McBain reunites with Gill, Carl, Frank, and Eastland, with the men setting out to fund and execute a plan to overthrow the government, quickly getting caught up in a dangerous situation, with President Boroquez sending his army to battle the invaders while Christina works with the rebels to liberate her people.

Glickenhaus doesn’t get into the specifics of military service in “McBain,” simply observing tired men eager to leave the country and return home. These are capable soldiers, and while freedom is granted when service is over, something doesn’t sit right on the helicopter ride out of enemy territory, with Santos refusing to allow POWs to be left behind. For McBain, prison is a horror show, and we meet the character in a cage, forced to fight a bulky brawler for his life. A rescue operation breaks out in the opening act of “McBain,” with Glickenhaus providing a full understanding of his cinematic interests, keeping things simple with a sizable body count and the central premise of a life debt, with Santos tearing a $100 bill in half, informing a grateful McBain that if he ever sees the other half of the money, his services are required.

“McBain” has a decent hook, and dramatic escalation is found with Santos, who, 18 years later, is the leader of a liberation army, looking to change the face of democracy in his homeland. President Boroquez has allowed corruption and cocaine to rule the land, putting Santos on a mission to remove him. Glickenhaus gets suspense going with the overthrow plot, which is televised to the nation, triggering concern from Washington D.C., with the U.S. President trying to make sense of it all.

Santos’s ultimate sacrifice when the plan goes south puts “McBain” in motion, with Christina traveling to NYC to find the vet, who doesn’t hesitate to join the rebel cause. A Men on a Mission tale takes shape, with McBain reconnecting with the soldiers who saved him, finding retired pilot Carl now a surgeon, and Eastland is a disgusted corporate security agent. Frank is an arms dealer, giving McBain a deal on weapons, requiring the boys to locate cash, eventually finding their way to a crime kingpin for a proper shakedown. Glickenhaus secures a snappy pace to the first half of “McBain,” with the excitement of a plan coming together driving pace, including the theft of a plane to take the men to Columbia. The helmer can’t quite solve the mystery of Walken. Admittedly, the actor isn’t known for wild performances, but his work here is baffling, looking completely bored with the professional assignment, failing to disguise his disinterest in the job. Thankfully, the supporting cast offers a bit more enthusiasm, keeping the endeavor semi-passionate as survival challenges increase and war breaks out.

McBain Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a clear look at frame information, with detail excellent throughout the viewing experience. Skin particulars are textured and costuming is fibrous. Interiors are open for inspection, and depth with city and village tours is superb, capturing some sense of scale and location. Colors are respectfully refreshed, with powerful primaries. Greenery is vivid and urban hues are distinct. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

McBain Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

New for the "McBain" Blu-ray experience is a 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix, joining a 2.0 DTS-HD MA track (listed as the "original theatrical stereo mix"). Options are present for fans of the feature, with the 5.1 emerging with excellent power, handling the explosive nature of the movie with steady low-end response, bringing oomph to violent attacks. Surrounds are active, offering a full sense of atmospherics and action engagement. Musical moods are circular as well, handling scoring cues with crisp instrumentation, and soundtrack selections are deep, with defined vocals. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and emotive.

McBain Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director James Glickenhaus and film historian Chris Poggiali.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:25, HD) is included.

McBain Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"McBain" gets a little muddled in its second half, with Glickenhaus trying to compete with other action epics by staging his own war as the rebels and McBain's "dirty half dozen" take on President Boroquez's army. There's some time devoted to the leader's position as a puppet for foreign interests, but Glickenhaus is mostly giddy to blow things up, keeping explosions coming as different parts of the invasion are highlighted, including an extended chase in the air with fighter jets. The production doesn't have the cash to make perfect sense of everything, with careful editing doing a lot of heavy lifting as the movie unfolds, and storytelling eventually gives up altogether. "McBain" is somewhat refreshing in its singular drive to generate mayhem, and the film is entertaining, presenting thickly sliced heroism and violent encounters. Perhaps something happened to the effort behind the scenes, as Walken wears the face of a man who couldn't contractually exit the production, putting in the bare minimum of dramatic energy while Glickenhaus looks to raise hell everywhere else, keeping up with the '80s with this rah-rah American spirit picture from the '90s.