Rating summary
| Movie |  | 2.5 |
| Video |  | 3.0 |
| Audio |  | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 1.0 |
| Overall | | 3.0 |
The Fourth War Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 25, 2015
Adapted from a novel by Stephen Peters (who co-scripts with Kenneth Ross), 1990’s “The Fourth War” asks a provocative question: what do Cold War commanders do when their era is over and their service is no longer required? Directed by John Frankenheimer, “The Fourth War” works to build a thriller on faded memories, exploring a rusting war machine that’s threatening to make American Col. Jack Knowles (Roy Scheider) and Russian Col. Valachex (Jurgen Prochnow) obsolete. A fantastic premise is handled unevenly by the production, which never decides if the central conflict is a source of suspense or dark comedy.
“The Fourth War” has the potential to be a disturbing film, following the lead characters as they engage in some antagonistic antics on the German-Czechoslovakia border during the transition year of 1988. The men have honor to protect, haunted by past conduct and the threat of obsolescence, but “The Fourth War” isn’t a dynamic depiction of escalation, nearly highlighing the characters as warring toddlers trying to make each other cry. This storytelling approach would be outrageously fun with a director more skilled at satire, but Frankenheimer is as sobering a helmer as they come, treating the conflict as an actioner of sorts, with border-hopping shenanigans typically ending with shoot-outs and explosions.
The Fourth War Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Age is apparent with the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, which doesn't look fresh and inviting. Colors are generally muted, lacking snap as military hues and locations are explored, while skintones are on the bloodless side, missing natural appeal. Detail isn't strong, only really emerging through close-ups of scowling faces and war machines, with distances left passable, but never remarkable. Delineation is only adequate, with a few evening excursions failing to bring out frame information. Source encounters speckling and scratching, and mild banding is detected.
The Fourth War Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles the blunt soundscape of "The Fourth War" well, and while a larger sense of expanse to accompany the remote locations is missing, the basics are covered. Dialogue exchanges are clear and direct, though they are challenged by recording limitations, with the production insisting that conversations take place on loud vehicles and deep, tiled hallways. Scoring is era-specific thin but identifiable, supporting when intended. Atmospherics aren't profound, but the wintry setting is understood, while more obvious sound effects such as gunfire and explosions lack heaviness.
The Fourth War Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- A Theatrical Trailer (2:07, HD) is included.
The Fourth War Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"The Fourth War" has a host of problems, but it never gives up. Frankenheimer is committed to the story and he delivers meaty work, but the tale eventually falls apart as it works to achieve a level of complication that motivates a showdown finale. However, by the time the grand climax arrives, "The Fourth War" is out of tricks, limping to a foregone conclusion.
