Rating summary
| Movie |  | 2.0 |
| Video |  | 4.0 |
| Audio | | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 1.0 |
| Overall | | 2.0 |
Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 14, 2016
Stagecoach is one of the most iconic titles in the entire history of
the Western film, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that some marketing guru probably decided that this Trace Adkins offering could use that
moniker to
generate a little interest. Adkins portrays erstwhile stagecoach robber Nathaniel Reed, who has gone on to a straight and narrow path as a homesteader
with his wife Laura Lee (Michelle Harrison). Unfortunately both an impending foreclosure as well as Nate’s past converge to create an untenable
situation, one that is further exacerbated by what seems to be a completely predictable plot point involving Laura Lee.
The film turns into a kind of dual revenge story, with one of Nate’s former nemeses, Calhoun (Kim Coates), is on the hunt for Nate. Nate has his own
scores to settle, and a variety of colorful supporting characters (including a barely recognizable Judd Nelson as another stagecoach robber) enter the fray.
There actually are a couple of decently unexpected turns this otherwise familiar story takes, but the entire production comes off as a kind of middling,
made for television-esque, affair. Adkins has an appealing presence, as he’s now proven in a number of B-ish offerings, but he needs to find scripts that
are a little more innovative than this one. There’s probably enough here, if only barely, for diehard Western fans looking for 90 minutes or so to kill.
Otherwise, stick with that “other”
Stagecoach.
Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Cinedigm with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. Sharpness and
detail levels are generally excellent throughout this presentation, but the palette is kind of oddly tamped down a lot of the time, and the lush green
forests don't exactly look like Texas to me (the film was shot in British Columbia). Close-ups offer some good fine detail, especially with regard to some of
the costumes. Shadow detail can be a bit variable in some of the darker interior sequences.
Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that offers good immersion in a number of outdoor sequences,
where both ambient environmental sounds as well as elements like galloping horses provide nice surround activity. DIalogue is rendered cleanly and
clearly and there is some good low end activity in some of the action scenes.
Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Behind the Scenes (1080p; 17:52)
- Stagecoach Trailer (1080p; 1:35)
Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story can't quite elevate itself above what feels like a made for television ambience, but it has some decent
moments and the supporting cast especially is quite enjoyable. Technical merits are generally strong for those considering a purchase.
