6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A group of martial arts students are en route to an island that supposedly is home to the ghosts of martial artists who have lost their honor. A Hitler lookalike and his gang are running a female slavery operation on the island as well. Soon, the two groups meet and all sorts of crazy things happen which include cannibal monks, piranhas, zombies, and more!
Starring: Cameron Mitchell, Geoffrey Binney, Hope Holiday, Jillian Kesner, John DresdenHorror | 100% |
Adventure | 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 Mono
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
There are pictures that claim to offer a blistering level of screen insanity to entice fans of schlock cinema into the theater, and there are films that carry on, business as usual, but happen to be pure madness without even thinking about it. 1982’s “Raw Force” is the type of movie that doesn’t appear to realize how bizarre it genuinely is, embarking on a screwy mission of martial arts entertainment that’s all about dangerous encounters , mysterious happenings, and mild comedy. And yet, few features match the sheer oddity of “Raw Force,” which casually submits cannibalism, kung fu, bare breasts, and broken bones, whipping up a cinematic adventure that’s plagued with creative problems but remains undeniably amusing for those who appreciate bottom-shelf extravaganzas. It’s big, dumb, and loud, but remarkably enchanting during its pursuit of escapism, winning over viewers one sluggish crescent kick and blouse removal at a time.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation represents the exemplary work coming from Vinegar Syndrome, who take an obscure picture and bring it to BD with care. As with any forgotten title, minor passages of damage are noticeable, but the overall clarity of the viewing experience is impressive. Detail jumps off close-ups and locations, while costuming retains texture. Displays of skin are natural as well. Colors are nicely refreshed, offering healthy primaries and a rich push of red for bloodshed. Skintones are true. Black levels run into understandable limitations, but overall delineation is adequate, helping to navigate evening encounters. Grain is tasteful and managed well, preserving filmic appeal.
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix does battle with the presence of hiss, but it's unobtrusive, never overwhelming the rest of the track. Dialogue exchanges hit a few shrill highs due to age, yet clarity is satisfactory, allowing for an appreciation of slurred comedic takes and mid-action banter. Sound effects retain their thick appeal, with crunches, punches, and slaps represented. Scoring is adequate, discernible and secure. A few damage points are detected, but nothing that raises concern.
The climax of "Raw Force" is all about the "fighting cadavers," beheadings, explosions, and one-on-one showdowns, tossing everything into the mix to deliver the goods (including piranhas!). It's messy but effective, even with stiff action choreography and editorial indecision. Of course, recommending the picture to the average BD buyer is tricky. Its rickety construction and fixation on bodily harm isn't for everyone, leaving "Raw Force" more suited to B-movie connoisseurs who typically embrace the cheeky wonders of nudity and violence, able to welcome subplots about undead martial art masters and cannibalistic monks without lunging for the eject button.
1989
1981
2011
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Also Includes = I Eat Your Skin and Blue Sextet
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