Ravage Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Ravage Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 31, 2022

1997’s “Ravage” attempts to replicate the experience of watching a gritty Hollywood thriller with shot-on-video technology. It’s an ambitious movie from co-writer/director Ronnie Sortor (“Sinistre”), who hopes to bring a little Michael Mann energy to what’s basically a backyard bloodbath, arranging a loose revenge story to help inspire a steady display of shootouts and stunts, hoping to win viewers over with sheer violence. Sortor has the vision but not the execution with “Ravage,” which can’t outrun its amateur elements and limited resources.

The story of “Ravage” starts off simply enough, following psychologist Gregory (Mark Brazeale) and his plan of vigilantism when his family is murdered by madman Charles (Dan Rowland). Matters grow slightly more complicated and spoiler-y as the story unfolds, but the bulk of the feature finds Gregory on the hunt for the sicko who destroyed his life, launching an investigation into the villain’s identity.

Sortor and co-writer Bryon Blakey are certainly aggressive with their motivation, keeping “Ravage” ruthless as Gregory deals with the loss of his wife, trying to put himself back together, only to encounter Charles, who, in a seemingly random act, breaks into the psychologist’s home and murders his two children. It’s certainly one way to put Gregory into revenge mode, but “Ravage” doesn’t build on such intensity, getting caught up in a dull plot that examines Charles’s family tree. Investigative efforts are also lacking suspense, with the feature taking breaks between scenes of confrontation, becoming winded easily. But there’s violence, as the production invests heavily in squibs and blanks, keeping gunplay a common occurrence in the picture. Blood is also prominent, as Sortor keeps wounds gushing, adding some unintentional comedy when simple body hits explode like water balloons filled with strawberry syrup. It almost reaches a point of parody at times.

Ravage Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation works with a shot-on-video production, and one that's been tinkered with for this Blu-ray release. Fine detail isn't an option, but some sense of faces and places is present, offering general identification of frame elements. Colors are on the flat side, but some period fashion delivers more active hues, and red blood is appreciable. Delineation does what it can, losing a little to solidification. Source is in decent shape, with minor points of damage.

Ravage Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers clear dialogue exchanges, managing inherent equipment limitations. Scoring delivers a heavier synth sound, supporting suspense sequences. Sound effects are adequately defined, as the feature is filled with snappy gunfire.

Ravage Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Original VHS Version of "Ravage" (82:16, SD) is provided.

• Commentary #1 features co-writer/director Ronnie Sortor.

• Commentary #2 features Sortor and crew members Dan Rowland, Frank Alexander, Mike Smith, and Todd Reynolds.

• Commentary #3 features co-writer/director Ronnie Sortor and co-producer Byron Blakey.

• "The Year of 'Ravage'" (100:58, SD) is a making of, exploring the year-long process required to create an SOV action movie, with an unusual amount of focus placed on the manufacturing and firing of squibs.

• Outtake Reel (29:55, SD) explores mistakes and mishaps.

• Photo Gallery (14:16) collects BTS snaps, publicity pictures, and home media covers.

• "Transient Error" (21:16, SD) is a short film by Byron Blakey.

• "1997 vs. 2022" (2:37, SD) is a look at the digital changes implemented to help fix issues with the original version of "Ravage."

• And an Original Trailer (1:35, SD) and a Final Cut Trailer (1:25, SD) are included.

Ravage Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Ravage" isn't a slick production, routinely struggling with SOV restrictions, including drab lighting and chaotic handheld photography, which is meant to simulate excitement, but simply doesn't. Poor acting doesn't help, with all of these performers trying to seem serious while managing clumsy dialogue and awkward staging. "Ravage" tries to remain a grim viewing experience, touching on the true emotional price of rage and the complexity of revenge, but Sortor also wants to make a shoot-em-up, which may entertain viewers with lowered expectations, but deep thrills and technical sophistication isn't present here.