Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

The Foreigner Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 8, 2018

If there is a movie star anywhere in the world who is comfortable in the action genre, it's Jackie Chan. The internationally famous megastar has made his mark around the globe by starring in a number of lighter Action flicks that highlight his inherent vigor and vitality, ability to contort and move with lightning speed and striking precision, use his environment to impressively capable and comic effect, and leave audiences with a smile on the face. He's once again firmly in the action in The Foreigner (or at least in action after 98 seconds worth of studio logos), though unlike most of his previous ventures he's here charged with playing a more gritty and grizzled character, a grieving father whose quest for revenge is born of a scarred soul, whose actions and increasingly violent assault on those he knows to be responsible not at all about showmanship but rather entirely about justice. It's a fascinating turn for Chan who, here paired with Casino Royale director Martin Campbell, demonstrates a keen ability to flip a switch and play a more dramatic, intensive, internally focused hero who leaves behind his command of his smile and environment in favor of destroying those who have essentially destroyed him.

Unthinkable.

Ngoc Minh Quan (Jackie Chan) is a father of one whose life has taken turns of tragic events over the years. He's lost nearly everyone he loves save for his teenage daughter. When she is killed in an explosion targeting a London bank, Quan loses the last piece of his soul. All that remains is an unquenchable thirst to bring to justice anyone and everyone involved with his daughter's untimely death. His investigation leads him to a former member of the IRA named Liam Hennessy (Pierce Brosnan) who has taken his battle to the political realm. Quan persists on getting an audience with him, and when he's continually shot down and fed a series of lies and platitudes about identifying the killers and ensuring justice will be served, he takes it upon himself to take the fight to Hennessy and everyone around him in a quest to avenge his daughter's death.

Jackie Chan unsurprisingly makes the movie tick, carrying it well above its rather trope-happy plot dynamics and complex political dealings that often prove a bit too overpowering of the core story of a grieving father dead-set on revenge. Chan brings more than fists and action know-how to the screen, selling the character and the movie with an expressive countenance that conveys the deeply rooted pain that's always visible on his weathered, worn, and fatigued face but also in the eyes, carrying the audience into the depth of a soul agonized by loss and irreparably damaged by ceaseless pain. Chan's ability to sell the audience on the character's emotional trauma as well as his technical know-how and survival skills, honed in the jungles of Vietnam decades prior, makes his Quan one of the more interesting Action heroes in recent years. The film takes some cues from everything from Taken to First Blood, but Chan adds that key character ingredient that helps differentiate the film from the pack and also make it a more believable film worth the audience investment on the emotional side of the ledger, not just watching for the punches and kicks and carefully choreographed dynamics that generally fuel a Jackie Chan film.

The action flows well, with Chan relying less on buoyant technique and more on the rough-and-tumble grit. In The Foreigner, the violence itself, not the execution of it, is the more narratively critical component. It’s in how the violence defines the character, not how it looks on the screen, that is the critical ingredient at play. Playing opposite of Chan is Pierce Brosnan in a role that he handles well (and the Irish accent isn't even all that distracting after the first few minutes) with a complicated depth of character who has a checkered past that is slowly revealed as the story unfolds. It's a role that one could easily envision Liam Neeson running away with, and had Neeson been cast, it would have made for an interesting dynamic to see him playing opposite a character he is normally typecast as portraying. The film has its slow stretches as the political chatter and more complex underlying story dynamics unfold, taking away from the captivatingly reserved intensity Chan brings to the part. It's all important in shaping the greater narrative, but one can imagine the film playing even a bit better were the plot a little more streamlined and Chan and Brosnan allowed to shine a bit more freely of the political maelstrom that unfolds around them.

The Foreigner Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Foreigner's 1080p Blu-ray presentation certainly satisfies on all fronts, though it doesn't exactly make a lasting impression. It's a decidedly firm, solid picture, an as-expected sort of presentation that handles the film's digital roots well enough. Textural qualities lag behind the best the format as to offer, but complex facial features -- particularly Chan's weathered face that's home to as many emotional scars as physical blemishes -- as well as clothes and environments find a satisfactory level of core detail. Colors are pleasantly stable. The movie isn't abundantly vibrant, but essential colors are presented with satisfying intensity and depth. Black levels please and skin tones appear accurate. Noise is kept to a minimum and other intrusive negatives are never problematic. This release doesn't define the format, but it delivers a good, solid watch.

The Foreigner Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Foreigner's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack fails to truly excite when the film's first big explosion seems to fizzle a bit more than it sizzles, lacking the intensive push and full-on chaos one might expect, but the track certainly finds its footing almost immediately thereafter. Future explosions are big, raucous, offering a more pointed smack and effortless punch, taking full advantage of the entirety of the soundstage. Music finds its stride, too, offering an enveloping barrage of high-yield, high-clarity elements that offer a rich, immersive listen that takes full advantage of the added back channels for a smoother and more detailed presentation, Environmental support elements are critical to several scenes and enjoy robust stage saturation, including chaotic sounds of the recovery effort after the bombing at film's start and some more gentle woodland ambience later on. Dialogue is well defined, commanding of the front-center portion of the stage, and always well prioritized whether in high intensity action or whisper quiet exchanges.

The Foreigner Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Foreigner's Blu-ray release contains a featurette, interviews, and pair of trailers. A DVD copy of the film is included with purchase.

• The Making of The Foreigner (1080p, 2:17): A very brief look at key characters and performances, plot details, and action style.
• Interviews (1080p): Includes brief chats centered on characters, story, action, the usual cast and crew interview tidbits. Participants include Martin Campbell (7:29), Jackie Chan (9:43), and Pierce Brosnan (10:46).
• Trailer #1 (1080p, 2:07).
• Trailer #2 (1080p, 1:43).

The Foreigner Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Foreigner is a solid action film with a main attraction that sees one of cinema's biggest stars, Jackie Chan, go to a dark place and play a gritty, grizzled individual who is well outside of the actor's comfort zones. The film can get a bit too bogged down in narrative details, maneuvers, and machinations, but the prize is the action and play between Chan and Brosnan, who are both excellent in their respective, against-type lead parts. Universal's Blu-ray delivers a solid experience, boasting good video and audio paired with a few brief extras. Recommended.