5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Mark Kaminsky is kicked out of the FBI for his rough treatment of a suspect. He winds up as the sheriff of a small town in North Carolina. FBI Chief Harry Shannon, whose son has been killed by a mobster named Patrovina, enlists Kaminsky in a personal vendetta with a promise of reinstatement into the FBI if Patrovina is taken down. To accomplish this, Kaminsky must go undercover and join Patrovina's gang.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathryn Harrold, Sam Wanamaker, Paul Shenar, Robert DaviThriller | 100% |
Action | 92% |
Crime | 45% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.36:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
None
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
John Irwin's "Raw Deal" (1986) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include the documentary feature "Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Man Who Raised Hollywood", the short featurette "A Generic Gangster Film", and the film's original theatrical trailer. In English, without optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Mark Kaminski
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.36:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, John Irvin's Raw Deal arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment.
This is a pleasing but somewhat inconsistent high-definition transfer, which has been struck from a dated source. Generally speaking, fine object detail is good. Many of the close-ups, for instance, look very strong. This being said, light noise is often easy to spot, especially during the second half of the film. Additionally, contrast levels are mostly stable, but clarity varies. Some random noise corrections have been applied, though fine film grain is still present. I did spot a few minor specs popping up here and there but not large cuts, marks, stains, or debris. All in all, despite some of the minor issues, Raw Deal looks relatively good on Blu-ray, and hardcore Arnold Schwarzenegger fans should consider adding it to their libraries. (Note: Despite the fact that its back cover indicates a Region-B only status, this Blu-ray disc is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Optimum Home Entertainment have not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is solid. The bass is surprisingly strong, the rear channels not overly active but quite effective, and the high-frequencies not overdone. As expected, the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track shines mostly during the shootouts. I must note, however, that the majority of them sound quite "thin", lacking the dynamic intensity one would hear in similarly themed modern productions. The dialog is clean, stable, clear and easy to follow. There are no serious balance issues with Tom Bahler, Chris Boardman and Albhy Galuten's soundtrack. I also did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts to report in this review.
Note: Some of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are encoded in PAL. Therefore, if you reside in North America, or another region where PAL is not supported, you must have a Region-Free player capable of converting PAL to NTSC, or a TV set capable of receiving native PAL data, in order to view them.
Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Man Who Raised Hollywood - a long and very informative documentary feature focusing on the current Governor of California and his transformation from a famous bodybuilder into a famous movie star. A number of different directors share their thoughts about Schwarzenegger and the type of films he did during the years. In English and French, with optional English subtitles for the French portions. (16 min, 1080i).
A Generic Gangster Film - a short featurette in which Dave Saunders, author of "Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Movies", discusses Raw Deal and its production history. In English, not subtitled. (9 min, 1080i).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for the film. (3 min, PAL).
John Irwin's Raw Deal is a flawed film. However, the Governor of California has some hilarious lines in it that make it pretty entertaining. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment, looks and sounds relatively good. It is also Region-Free. RECOMMENDED.
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