7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A well-known figure in the L.A. underworld known as T, is hired to provide security for a floating dice game, only to be framed for murder of one the underlings of a notorious crime boss.
Starring: Robert Hooks, Paul Winfield, Ralph Waite, William Smithers, Paula KellyCrime | 100% |
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 Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
BDInfo verified
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
The furious world of blaxploitation takes a breather with 1972’s “Trouble Man,” which offers all the expected attitude and style from the subgenre, but is more interested in dramatic showdowns rather than physical ones. Director Ivan Dixon intends to class up the feature by focusing on the screen presence of star Robert Hooks, and while the actor fills his role with ideal smoothness, he’s not backed by a particularly eventful screenplay by John D.F. Black, who invests almost exclusively in pauses and hard stares, resulting in a strangely uneventful picture.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation appears sourced from a slight older master, with a mild amount of filtering present to flatten the viewing experience. Detail isn't destroyed, managing highlights as actors pose for the camera, taking in facial textures and costuming. Street encounters retain clear depths. Colors aren't fantastic, but they register with intended hues, best with period ornamentation that cranks yellows and greens. Delineation is acceptable, making sense out of evening encounters. Overt damage isn't found, but scratches and speckling are detected.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix never stabilizes to satisfaction, bouncing between hushed interactions and louder musical moods. Again, age is apparent here, with hiss and pops detected. Dialogue exchanges require some volume riding to manage, but nothing is completely lost. Scoring cues retain their jazzy intent, supporting acceptably. Atmospherics preserve echoed interiors and group activity. Sound effects are adequately snappy.
While matters eventually explode in the final act, it's too late for "Trouble Man" to revive a snoozy picture. As blaxsploitation escapism goes, the movie is too caught up in performances to really build steam, while the central mystery isn't much of a shocker, with skin color pretty much calling out the bad guys right away. "Trouble Man" has a promising central figure, but it doesn't do enough with him, content to have the original Mr. T engage in staring contests, not fisticuffs.
1972
The Murder Gang
1976
1974
Special Edition
1974
1978
Blast
1972
1958
1974
The Diamond Mercenaries
1976
The Double Con
1972
1975
1939
1992
1951
1938
1973
Warner Archive Collection
1973
Warner Archive Collection
1985
1971
1973