5.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
With much of the U.S. lying in ruins, the rest of the world braces for a global sharknado, Fin and his family must travel around the world to stop them.
Starring: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Masiela Lusha, Cassandra Scerbo, Cody LinleyHorror | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 19% |
Action | 4% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Same shark, different day.
The Sharknado movies are like...like nothing the movies have seen before. A franchise that won't die is nothing new -- look at all the movies
in
the Sniper or American Pie series' for example -- but ones that started out "bad"
and that has
become
progressively "worse" is another matter entirely. The Asylum is the notorious studio that has made a name for itself by crafting on-the-cheap junk
that, much of
the time, are direct rip-offs of bigger and better and more recognizable films (one of its latest being Cargo, a take on Cars) that the studio hopes will draw in the unsuspecting or confused
viewer
or attract bad movie aficionados. Sharknado began innocently enough, seemingly just another in the
very long line
of modern
schlock that mixed together two or more elements seemingly drawn from a hat, but this one stuck. Featuring the talents of Ian Ziering and Tara Reid
and gradually attracting a who's who of popular culture figures along the way, the films have become an annual staple, a boon for the studio (and just
about
the only thing The Asylum releases to Blu-ray anymore), and a cultural phenomenon. Why? Who knows. The movies are growing increasingly
convoluted and absurd, even as they follow a fairly linear arc from first to fifth, and they're ultimately little more than rehashes with new faces and
locations standing in the middle of the same lousy visual effects and storylines. But they make good party movies, if nothing else, the kind that the
studio at
least crafts with a giant wink-and-a-nod on full display in every scene, acknowledging the absurdity but gleefully milking it for pretty much all it's
worth.
Everything else about Sharknado 5: Global Swarming falls pretty much in-line with expectations, and the Blu-ray video quality is no different. The digitally shot movie presents about as well as can be expected. It's very crisp and highly detailed, marred by a fairly regular layer of noise and brought down by the hazy, low-res quality of the visual effects, but close-up shots do reveal wonderful textural capabilities throughout. Facial definition is fantastic at the most intimate level, and the cheap build quality of various props -- like Gil's helmet -- is easy to spot. Clarity of environments and backgrounds impresses as well. Colors are full and pleasing with punchy primaries and well saturated supports. Skies tend to be blown out but core colors, as well as black levels and skin tones, are fine.
Likewise, Sharknado 5: Global Swarming's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack carries the movie's needs commendably well. This is an active track, offering plenty of surround activity and full-on stage assault, particularly as strong gusts of Sharknado winds blow about. Clarity is certainly nothing special, and it's often more a wall of sound rather than a nuanced presentation, but the raw effect does fit the movie well enough. Surrounds are never shy about carrying music or ambient support, either. The former is consistently aggressive and implements enough bass to please, too. Environmental sounds help fill in some necessary background information with good placement and clarity. Dialogue is clear and detailed with firm front-center placement and prioritization even through the most intensive action sequences.
Sharknado 5: Global Swarming contains a commentary and a few additional extras. No DVD or digital versions are included.
Sequel? Oh yeah! Sharknado 5: Global Swarming leaves no guessing involved, ending on the promise of yet another entry that's certainly going to follow suit, play to the franchise's "strengths," and entertain the morbidly curious and the ever-growing franchise fan base alike. As for the fifth film, it's nothing particularly special, following more or less the same pattern of dropping new faces and backgrounds into the same core movies. The film offers a few new concepts but don't expect any radical new direction; The Asylum rightly plays it safe and will undoubtedly continue to do so until the cost-revenue graph tells them it's time to wrap and move on to the next wish-and-a-prayer project. The Blu-ray, released through Cinedigm, offers stable video and audio that are typical of the franchise. A handful of extras are included. Obviously recommended to series fans, but even as dumb and interchangeable as the movies may be, newcomers are encouraged to start back at the beginning. All five films are available on Blu-ray.
Shark-O-Holic Cut
2018
2016
2015
2014
2013
2011
2016
2011
Slipcover in Original Pressing
2003
1989
2015
2015
The 20th Anniversary Nilbog Edition
1990
2014
1990
Collector's Edition
1985
2012
2013
2007
Terminator II
1989