The Mark 2: Redemption Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.0

The Mark 2: Redemption Blu-ray Movie Review

Misses the mark.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 21, 2013

In the followup to the apocalyptic Christian film The Mark, The Mark 2: Redemption follows the journey of hero Chad Turner (Craig Sheffer) and his newfound ally, a flight attendant named Dao (Sonia Couling). Chad is the carrier of a radically advanced biometric chip that is to facilitate the implementation of a "new world order" but is identified as the Biblical "mark of the beast." Chad's on the run and is pursued by Phillyp Turk (Iván Kamarás). Meanwhile, the chip's developer, Cooper (Eric Roberts), is tortured for information concerning Turner's whereabouts. As the world further descends into chaos of, literally, Biblical proportions, Chad and Dao fight for their lives and for a greater purpose against a ruthless enemy.

Chad Turner.

The Mark 2: Redemption fails to match the action intensity, end-times drama, and human interest elements that made the first film a vastly superior experience. The sequel feels rather phoned in and somewhat sluggish, despite regular intervals of action. The film does continue to explore a number of interesting themes that all tie together into an unsettling concoction that sees the merging of Biblical prophesy, conspiracy theory, nefarious politics, and morality across a wide spectrum of characters and consequences. The film is certainly presented from a Christian perspective -- prayer, salvation, and an understanding of a greater purpose are central to the plot -- but it does its best to cater to a wider audience while still satisfying the needs of its Christian base. The first film proves a significantly greater success in almost every regard, but the sequel should satisfy viewers just looking to find out what happens next in this ongoing end-of-days tale.

The Mark 2: Redemption Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Mark 2: Redemption features a troubled but watchable 1080p transfer. Though image clarity is often fine and details sufficient, the picture struggles much of the time with a number of issues. Compression artifacts are readily evident in a number of scenes, as is moderate banding. Colors are rather dull and blacks often appear washed out. The image quality falls on the lower end of the HD video-sourced scale.

The Mark 2: Redemption Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Mark 2: Redemption features an adequate Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. General action elements fair well enough, but explosions and gunfire lack much in the way of raw power. Directional effects -- primarily zipping bullets -- prove satisfying, but some other effects sound grossly over-engineered. An example is a secretary's voice as heard at film's start that's planted in the rear channels and sounds awkward at best. Dialogue is sometimes muddy and almost robotic; a scene in an elevator following the secretary line is a good example. The track does deliver well spaced and sufficiently clear musical notes along with several instances of quality ambient effects.

The Mark 2: Redemption Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Though the packaging lists behind the scenes and actor interview supplements, the disc actually only features a collection of Pure Flix trailers.

The Mark 2: Redemption Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Mark 2: Redemption doesn't capture the same intensity and interest as its predecessor, but it's a watchable sequel that delivers satisfying, albeit lower budget, action with a spiritual overtone. The general plot is interesting and the acting is sufficient. Pure Flix's Blu-ray release of The Mark 2: Redemption features middling video and audio. The advertised supplements are not included. Worth a cheap pick-up for fans of the first film.