6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
While vacationing off the coast of Central America, a group of college students are kidnapped by a rebel death squad who announce plans to execute the hostages. But when one of the students (Terri Garber of North and South) makes a daring escape, she puts together her own jungle assault team that includes a pair of hard-living combat veterans (Jason Miller of The Exorcist and Cleavon Little of Blazing Saddles) and a baseball bat-wielding party animal (Tim Robbins). The time for terrorist negotiations is now over. If the U.S. government won't start a war to rescue its citizens, then these friends will!
Starring: Jason Miller (I), Terri Garber, Tim Robbins, Cleavon Little, Rodolfo de AndaDrama | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
In the years following the successful release of “First Blood,” the world demanded a new generation of action heroes. Men of honor. Men of muscles. Men of limited dramatic ability. Co-writer/director David Fisher (“Liar’s Moon”) skips these requirements for 1984’s “Toy Soldiers,” bringing in 45-year- old Jason Miller to portray a tough, seasoned war veteran capable of taking on an entire Central America rebel army. In short shorts and a Rambo bandana. Miller’s a fantastic actor, and he’s trying to get something started for Fisher, teamed with a cast of young actors who don’t really understand what they’re doing in this supremely goofy actioner. While he doesn’t have the physical presence of a powerhouse hero, Miller commits to the endeavor, giving “Toy Soldiers” some needed thespian emphasis while Fisher struggles to sell the central idea of kids saving kids in the middle of a dangerous foreign land.
New to Blu-ray, "Toy Soldiers" offers an AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Working with an older scan of the film, Code Red hopes to beautify the viewing experience with color correction, putting some faint power back into reds and blues, giving costuming brighter hues. Military beiges and greens are acceptable, along with jungle views. Skintones are flat. Detail is soft, battling age and cinematography that occasionally loses focal control. Facial particulars are basic at best, offering limited appreciation for skin surfaces. Costuming and rebel compound interiors are passable, along with open water yachting events in the first act. Delineation is adequate, but it wrestles with a lot of terrible day-for- night processing. Grain is chunky. Source showcases some wear and tear, with judder and scratches detected, along with a few print blemishes.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix includes overly aggressive music throughout the feature. Dialogue exchanges often struggle around scoring cues, which come close to overwhelming performances a few times. Without loud music, actors come through adequately, dealing with Miller's dramatic impulses, which has him muttering lines at times. Sound effects are simple, and atmospherics are limited.
Shootouts and chases eventually take command of "Toy Soldiers," and some excitement arrives, watching Amy and her pals take on Perez's army while the prisoners undertake their own escape efforts. Explosions ensue, and it's enough of a payoff to support the viewing experience, which is mostly held together by Miller and his decision to give a limited part his all, hoping his method-y passion will rub off on his co-stars. "Toy Soldiers" is very silly stuff, but it does remain entertaining, adding to the decade's interest in teenagers saving the day with Americanized military swagger.
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