5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
The movie is a remake of the 1972 blaxploitation film 'Super Fly'.
Starring: Trevor Jackson (V), Jason Mitchell (XVI), Michael Kenneth Williams, Lex Scott Davis, Jennifer MorrisonCrime | 100% |
Action | 56% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Thai
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Superfly can’t help but to play through generic story and character beats. The “disgruntled criminal” who “wants a way out of the life” finds himself looking to cash in “one last job” because, apparently, the millions sitting in his safe and under the floorboards just aren’t going to allow him to maintain his lifestyle, while mere mortals could happily make that work and have more than enough left over at the proverbial end of the day. But in the oftentimes recycled world of crime dramas, that narrative crutch almost feels more like a running gag and less a compelling reason to watch. The film, from “Director X,” real name Julien Christian Lutz, is a remake of the (vastly superior) 1972 film Super Fly. Maybe this one needed that extra space in the title, or maybe it needed to find something more than the glossy, generic beats that overwrite the original's urban grit and more compelling character arc, even as both films share essential story driver beats.
Superfly won't be remembered as a 1080p classic, but Sony's Blu-ray presentation is more than adequate in delivering the film's digitally photographed visuals. The movie frequently takes place in lower light conditions, where source noise can be be fairly significant and borderline intrusive in places. But that's the only true visual flaw of note. Overall image clarity is fine, with nicely detailed skin textures visible throughout the film. Clarity is such that one can even see that Juju's facial tattoos are applications; the thin strip's edges are clearly visible in close-up. Essential pores, lines, and hairs are clearly defined, and the same goes for some of the high-priced clothes and accessories, whether Priest's leathery jacket; Q's heavy, fur-lined coat; or Eddie's $600,000 wristwatch. Environmental clarity is fine, too. Nothing about the image is absolutely razor-sharp, but viewers will appreciate the image's ability to replicate textures with relative ease and complexity. Colors are not particularly special in any way. Snow Patrol white -- clothes, cars, accessories -- are always crisp, contrasted by good shadow detail in the film's many darker scenes. The palette generally favors a neutral position, rarely extending to boosting contrast or presenting colors with noticeable dullness. Right in the middle is a very nice place to be. The image is free of any significant banding, blocking, or aliasing; that noise is the only real visual drawback.
Superfly's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a healthy, often low-end dominant listening experience. Music is particularly impactful. The film begins with high volume and prominent beats. Music benefits from wide stage penetration and a very impressive full-throttle low end extravaganza that adds more than enough necessary depth and heft to the Hip-Hop beats. Score is likewise clear and wide, the low end not quite such a dominant factor, but it is surround intensive and very well detailed. The track excels beyond music. Inside a plane in chapter five, general engine hum is eclipsed by rushing winds and a blaring alarm when a door is opened for a few moments. Gunfire pounds through with positive depth and zip as well as discrete positioning as shots can ring out from any location, and moments of explosive action chaos do well to draw the listener into the mayhem. Dialogue suffers from no audible drawbacks. Positioning, prioritization, and clarity are all fine.
Superfly contains several featurettes and a music video. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with
purchase. This
release does not appear to ship with a slipcover.
Superfly is an unfortunate victim of a tired and trite script. There's little substance, not an excess of style, and the movie is really only saved by the hard work of lead Trevor Jackson, and to a lesser extent co-stars Kaalan Walker and Big Bank Black. It's perfectly serviceable entertainment but texturally a far cry from the grittier, more absorbing original. Sony's Blu-ray gets the job done, delivering rather good video, impressively large and aggressive audio, and a nice little smattering of extra content. Worth a rental.
2014
2014
The Unrated Other Edition
2010
2015
2008
2003
Warner Archive Collection
1985
2006
2013
1999
2019
2012
2012
2009
1994
Extended Cut
2013
2001
1989
2019
2004