Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

No Resistance Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 12, 2022

1994’s “No Resistance” offers a look at Houston in the future, where gangs are plentiful, the economy is in disarray, and a man with a portable computer can infiltrate and manipulate any system he’s paid to invade. So, basically, this is Houston, 1997, but for co-writer/director Tim Tomson, “No Resistance” is his chance to play with the world of cyberpunk, doing so with a shot-on-video thriller that looks to present heated confrontations and online warfare with a no-budget production effort, forcing Tomson to get as creative as possible with his limited resources.

“No Resistance” examines the life of Dij (David Rains), an ex-military man who’s faked his death, living life on the fringe of society as hacker-for-hire, working with a bulky laptop-like device. When he’s paid to deal with a mysterious woman and her connection to a viral discovery, Dij is thrust into the middle of warring gangs and corporate interests, leaving the pink-haired loner to deal with a steady stream of violence.

Dij is presented as an antihero of sorts, with the grubby guy taking cash for odd jobs involving the manipulation of medical and banking systems. He’s an addict and a cynic, soon stuck in a situation he can’t snort his way out of, and the screenplay builds passable trouble for the character to face, hit from all sides by interested parties. There are gangs and suits, and even an enigmatic woman for the keyboard samurai, keeping “No Resistance” busy as it crosses the city with Dij. Suspense isn’t here, but there’s a noticeable effort to create a sci-fi-ish world of computer gamesmanship and strange zealots, and Tomson has an eye for SOV craftsmanship, offering smooth editing that maintains some flow to the feature.

No Resistance Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

With "No Resistance" being another shot-on-video production, the AVC encoded image (1.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation does what is can with a limited source. Fine detail isn't present, but a general appreciation of the characters and their assorted outfits is available. Houston city tours are also adequately dimensional. Colors show age, but primaries are acceptable, exploring greenery and costuming, and Dij's pink hair adds a little power to the palette. Skintones are within the realm of natural. Delineation is passable with this type of low-res cinematography. Source is in decent condition, with brief displays of damage.

No Resistance Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix handles the limited soundscape of "No Resistance" satisfactorily, offering dialogue exchanges that reach as much clarity as possible, often battling background noise. Music selections are equally appreciable, with a more defined presence. Sound effects are blunt.

No Resistance Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Tim Tomson, co-writer/actor David Rains, co-writer/actor Irving Cutter, and co- producer Mike Schneider.

• Commentary on the Isolated Score features co-writer/director Tim Tomson, composer Scott Ayers, and co-producer Mike Schneider.

• "Cyberpunk Yojimbo" (27:50, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Tim Tomson.

• "NO_RE:" (2:11, SD) is a concept reel prepared by director Tim Tomson for a potential "No Resistance" television show.

• Music Videos (SD) for the band DR:OP:FR:AM+E include "Controlled Flight Into Terrain" (4:34), "Bad Angel" (4:24), and "Seventy Nine Nine" (5:53).

• "Coral Kiss" (4:06, SD) is a music video from the band Pain Teens, and can be viewed with or without commentary by director Tim Tomson.

• "White Bunnies" (4:53, SD) is a music video from the band Truth Decay, and can be viewed with or without commentary by director Tim Tomson.

• And Trailer #1 (2:49, SD) and Trailer #2 (2:48, SD) are included.

No Resistance Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dramatic interest in Dij's growing troubles isn't guaranteed, as "No Resistance" actually opens stronger than it closes, getting a little too convoluted with viral issues and gang interests. It's much stronger as an episodic study of a hacker working his way around town, but there's a bigger plot in play, and it doesn't provide much excitement. Again, "No Resistance" is an SOV endeavor, which keeps it limited in terms of technical achievements and cinematic heft, but Tomson is ambitious, working to create a grungy viewing experience with vivid characters and mounting problems, striving to manufacture some cyberpunk escapism for the video age.