6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
An ex-GI's daughter is abducted by a gang of white supremacists. He calls on one of his former Army buddies, and together they set out to track down the gang and rescue his daughter.
Starring: Ken Wahl, George DiCenzo, Xander Berkeley, Nicole Eggert, Bill MoreyDrama | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
1986’s “Omega Syndrome” tries to keep actor Ken Wahl viable as an action star. While not without charm and leading man looks, Wahl is the reluctant hero in the picture, which is scripted by John Sharkey and transformed into something sellable by director Joseph Manduke, tasked with becoming an authoritative bruiser in a film that’s not entirely interested in providing a violent thrill ride. “Omega Syndrome” has the “Taken” formula, with a father losing his daughter to kidnappers, forced for fight for her return, and there’s a certain entertainment value in the clash between Wahl’s hesitant force for justice and the neo-Nazi scum who make the mistake of taking his character’s only child. It’s a blunt feature, but certain elements of the writing hint at a more detailed assessment of good and evil, giving the endeavor interesting moments of psychological clarity and idiosyncrasy before it plunges back into the escapism of an Italian-produced B-movie unleashed on the back alleys and parking garages of Los Angeles.
Listed as a "Brand new 2019 2K scan of the original negative," "Omega Syndrome" finds ideal clarity during the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Detail comes through with vigor, isolating facial particulars on the wide range of actors included here, and provides special attention to Yo-Yo's rotted teeth, which Berkeley enjoys showing off. Locations are dimensional, with deep backgrounds for city encounters, and sets, while often thinly constructed, remain open for inspection. Colors are appealing, with fresh primaries throughout. Costuming offers brighter hues, along with sun- blasted L.A. urban tours, finding signage varied and greenery intact. Skintones are natural. Delineation maintains consistency, preserving frame information. Source is in good condition, periodically dealing with mild scratches and speckling, and judder is detected at times.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix definitely shows its age, with pronounced hiss and pops carrying throughout the listening event. It's fairly heavy at times, but doesn't wipe out dialogue exchanges, which remain intelligible, but not precise, also wrestling with a few crispy highs. Scoring efforts register as intended, delivering a synth-led "orchestra" of noises to best support the action, while inappropriate hot sax is also called into duty. Sound effects are basic library offerings, but they're appreciable.
One could pick apart "Omega Syndrome" in full, as so many scenes are pulled off without flair or trigger confusion (the Omegas are listed as a secret organization, but they mainly murder people in public places in broad daylight). The point of the endeavor is to provide mild thrills with a touch of exploitation, making Wahl into a man of honor refusing to bow to the wrath of a heavily armed terrorist group. It takes some squinting, but "Omega Syndrome" is entertaining, as Wahl does fine as a main attraction, only missing some energy when it comes to the primal drive of parental protection. The rest is low-wattage goods, but when the feature gets around to bashing baddies with one-man-army focus, there's enough snap here to satisfy.
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