6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
After 3 DEA agents are killed by Mr. Li, martial arts champion Tyler Wilson is sent on assignment to Toronto and teams up with Michael Reeds. Wilson and Reeds enter a martial arts tournament, where they end up saving Mr. Li from being killed by a rival crime boss. Li invites the two to join his staff. As Wilson and Reeds get closer to the truth about Li's operation, they gather the needed evidence, but will have to escape Li, alive.
Starring: Jalal Merhi, Billy Blanks, James Hong, Priscilla Barnes, Matthias HuesMartial arts | 100% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Action | 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 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo verified
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In his quest to become part of the action movie movement of the early 1990s, producer/co-star Jalal Merhi returns with 1992’s “Talons of the Eagle,” which strives to give viewers a swift, slamming offering of physical harm and dented heroism, while a buddy cop film attempts to break out every now and then. Director Michael Kennedy is in charge of this picture, and his vision is simple, endeavoring to put Merhi and co-star Billy Blanks (the Tae Bo king) into some sense of danger every ten minutes, forcing the characters to fight their way out of trouble. “Talons of the Eagle” isn’t complex, but that’s what makes it mostly appealing, watching the production set limited creative goals as it concentrates on feats of strength and self-defense. It’s a fun sit, but it definitely requires a general relaxation of expectations when it comes to thespian skill and spectacle, with the feature happy to get away with the least amount of effort at times, trusting in body blows to guide the viewing experience.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm camera negative. There is a noticeable issue with camera performance, as a portion of the picture is slightly out of focus, creating a mildly disorienting viewing experience, akin to repeatedly taking a pair of glasses on and off. This appears to be an inherent issue, as the rest of the feature plays with wonderful sharpness, capturing rough and aged skin surfaces, and costuming is fibrous, showcasing martial art gear and nightlife apparel. Casino interiors are open for inspection, and exteriors retain dimension. Colors are alert, highlighting bright primaries throughout, especially with the production's lighting schemes. Clothing and hair color are also defined, along with distinct greenery. Skintones are natural. Delineation is precise. Grain is fine and film-like.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix supplies a fresh, wide listening event for "Talons of the Eagle." Dialogue exchanges are crisp, helping performers who aren't quite as skilled with enunciation as others. Dramatic offerings are balanced. Scoring cues support with defined synth and bass, giving action sequences intended emphasis. Crowd atmospherics are satisfactory, and sound effects are sharp, bringing physical confrontations to life.
"Talons of the Eagle" isn't going to win over viewers with plot or performances, though Hong is incredibly entertaining as Mr. Li, bringing some disco energy to the part, pretending he's back in the 1970s. Showdowns are the big draw here, and while this is a low-budget production, the hits keep coming as Tyler and Michael take on numerous stooges, while Kennedy keeps things lively with shootouts and car chases, eventually settling on a bomb countdown to inspire suspense in the big finale. "Talons of the Eagle" keeps the cast busy with fights and fleeing, and that's all it really needs to do to satisfy. Blanks and Merhi are never going to impress as actors, but they can beat the snot out of stuntmen, allowing the picture to do what it does best.
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