6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Wifes and children of the Mormon Orville Beecham become victims of a massacre in his own house. The police believes the crime had a religious motive. Orville doesn't give any comment on the case, is taken into protective custody. Journalist Smith persuades him to help him in the investigation - and finds out about economic motives for the murder.
Starring: Charles Bronson, Trish Van Devere, Laurence Luckinbill, Daniel Benzali, Jeff CoreyCrime | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
While not an actor of any discernible range, Charles Bronson has made the effort throughout his long career to play a variety of characters. Of course, most of these performances end up in a position of violence, with the mustachioed brute facing down foolish enemies, but at least he’s trying. 1988’s “Messenger of Death” finds Bronson portraying a journalist for a Denver-based newspaper, marching around looking for clues and interviews to help him create popular stories. It’s not an impossible stretch to picture the icon in a newsroom, surrounded by bustling writers while hammering out his latest piece, but Bronson isn’t far from a threat or a weapon in the movie. “Messenger of Death” is a serviceable thriller with few surprises, but, as always, Bronson is the big draw, using his natural way with intimidation to infuse the feature with a few thrills, portraying the most aggressive, least professional newspaperman perhaps cinema has ever seen.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation comes through with a reasonable degree of detail, working with an older scan to make sense out of close-ups, which retain the most exciting elements of the viewing experience. Distances are preserved and set decoration is easy to study. Some softness remains, but not enough to smother frame activity. Colors are serviceable, with greenery a particular highlight, exploring Colorado wilderness with strong hues. Skintones are pleasing. Grain is noisy at times. Source is in solid shape, with no overt stretches of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix remains appropriate to the production era (limitations remain), through it carries with a slight shrillness, making surges in range slightly crispy. Scoring is appealing, with passable instrumentation and emphasis, securing mood. Dialogue exchanges are comfortable and direct, managing hushed threats and louder encounters without incident. Atmospherics maintain the outdoorsy feel of the effort, while sound effects, including gunshots, keep their punch.
Not Bronson's best but far from his worst, "Messenger of Death" tries to live up to expectations with a sizable grand finale, sending Garret into a cocktail party armed with critical information extracted from jittery witnesses. The feature ends with a literal bang (end credits spring into action the moment the story is completed), showing a little respect for its audience. Thompson doesn't want to waste anyone's time with an extended denouement, exiting "Messenger of Death" in a hurry, at least maintaining economy to make up for the occasional lack of cohesion.
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