Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Priceless Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 17, 2024

Priceless derives its title from the value of a human life and the value of human dignity. In the prism of the horrific reality of human trafficking, sex trade, and forced prostitution -- essentially modern sex slavery -- the film follows one man's courageous turn to rescue two young women from a life of sexual abuse, mistreatment, and the absence of hope and a future. Inspired by true stories, plural, the film is a fictionalized microcosm of sex trafficking, the depths of modern depravity and selfishness against one man's all-in rebellion against the quietly institutionalized system, a rebellion that he is willing to spearhead, even if it costs him everything he holds dear, including his own life.

James Stevens (Joel Smallbone) is a down on his luck widower who is just trying to make ends meet and support his young motherless daughter. He takes a "no questions asked" hauling job where he is charged with traveling with secret cargo. When he's run off the road, he comes to realize that his cargo is alive: two young ladies named Antonia (Bianca Santos) and Maria (Amber Midthunder) who have been taken for the purposes of sex trafficking. James' conscience gets the best of him, and he resolutely determines to free the girls, even if it costs him time with his daughter and, potentially, his own life. With the help of a sympathetic local, Dale (David Koechner), James takes on a dark system and depraved individuals who will kill for a dollar and dehumanize priceless human life for a little pleasure and a lot of pay.

This is not a world-class film, but it is made with heart and soul and strives to build a soulful purpose. It is very much a product of its emotional core, supported by its dramatic ebbs and flows, a posture which goes against the grain with so many films these days, where it seems the on-screen story and emotional center take a backseat to whatever visceral experience the film can provide. While Priceless lacks the spit and polish of superior technical productions, that focus on characterization and purpose, supported by very adequate production elements, creates a film of value that might lack that “rewatchable” factor but tells an important, and daresay even must-see, story of what evil looks like and what it looks like to take a stand against evil, even at the risk of the highest of costs.

The film follows James, who wrestles with his conscience but dismisses any higher, spiritual calling upon his life to do what he has become determined to do. This is a Christian film, and spiritual themes resound throughout, though it is not until the denouement that Priceless really engages in a larger message of faith. For much of its runtime, it’s the story of a soul wrestling with the dark reality of trafficking. At first, James, who is very well played by Joel Smallbone, finds himself torn between taking life in stride and answering that still, small voice inside of him to move to make a difference rather than take the easy road out. What follows is not an action film, though a few action elements follow, but rather a dark yet hopeful thriller about the difference one man can make when he chooses to stand up for what is right rather than shy away from evil.

Priceless Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Priceless was shot digitally and it looks it. The picture is very clean, glossy, and nicely detailed, even if the sheen does seem to smooth it out and flatten it a bit. Fine details are acceptable, offering good, crisp definition to basic skin and hair details as well as clothing seams and lines. This is nothing remarkable, but it certainly gets the job done and meets expectations for a digitally shot, lower budget film. Colors are not spectacular, either, lacking absolute vitality and full saturation but finding sufficient accuracy to colorful clothes and various environmental elements. The picture shows some noise in lower light throughout, and banding can be an issue. Look at the 46-minute mark for an example of some of the heavier banding in the film (again at the 58:05 mark), but even at this juncture it's not overpowering. The picture is not a standout, but it holds serve.

Priceless Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Priceless arrives on Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is acceptable, offering a listen that is foundationally acceptable but hardly striking in any category. "Adequate" may be the best descriptor of this track, which carries the essentials but does little of sonic interest with them. Certainly, the film is mostly dialogue heavy, and at least the spoken word is consistently clear, centered, and well prioritized for the duration. As it is, though, it's the highlight, which is not to say much for the rest of the listen. Would be-more intense effects, as scattered and infrequent as they may be, offer little sense of real muscle or engagement. For example, there is not a significant sense of power or depth when a truck is run off the road at the six-minute mark. Certainly, a few cursory surround elements are at work, but there is no real sense of power and engagement. Likewise, the sound design lacks muscle and verve when James flees a life-or-death situation on a motorcycle at the 50:40 mark. The would-be exciting action scene sounds very flat and uninspired, though offering a hint of surround usage to at least help build a cursory sense of atmosphere. Nothing in the track is aggressive, and clarity is only satisfactory. This one never rises beyond the level of "adequate," but at least at "adequate" it gets the job done to tell the story and share the basics.

Priceless Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Priceless contains several extras.

• Exclusive Performance by For King & Country (1080p, 16:39): The popular Christian group performs a few of its greatest hits.
• The Making of Priceless (1080p, 10:00): Joel and Ben Smallbone, as well as additional cast and crew, discuss basics of the shoot, the deeper plot lines and film inspirations, characters and performances, and more.
• The Heart Behind the Film (1080p, 3:56): Joel and Ben Smallbone discuss their involvement with the film and how it draws on their desire to make several statements about the world today.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 12:16 total runtime): Included are A Desperate Man, The Setup, Job Security, Garo's Lair, The $9,000,000,000 Question, and Garo's Family Address.
• The Official Trailer (1080p, 2:16).
• We Can Start Again - Ballad Trailer (1080p, 2:04).

Priceless Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There is definitely a feeling that Priceless plays as a precursor to, and as a companion film of, Sound of Freedom. The latter released several years later, but the similarities are unmistakable. This is film that is maybe a slightly less dark alternative, but both are emotionally charged and grim, yet still hopeful and ultimately spiritual, sister films about the horrors of human trafficking and the underground sex trade. Priceless also features the involvement of the popular contemporary Christian group For King and Country, and the one of the group's top hits serves as an anthem for this film. The Blu-ray is pretty mediocre, offering decent video, passable audio, and a few extras. Recommended at a Black Friday-level sale price.