7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A gang war story set in a Los Angeles ghetto about the coming of age of a young black youth.
Starring: Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Bryan O'Dell, Renn Woods, Tony Allen (II), Vince CannonDrama | Insignificant |
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, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Screenwriter Paul Carter Harrison has something to say with 1978’s “Youngblood,” exploring the tale of a teenager in South Central, Los Angeles struggling to find his place in the pecking order of his neighborhood, exposing himself to troubling influences. It’s not an especially fresh tale of poisoned maturation, but Harrison is trying to give the material a distinct sense of humanity as he works in more traditional elements of crime and family. “Youngblood” is certainly aiming to be exciting, but it’s much more satisfying as a study of a troubled mind coming to realize the enormity of the world around him.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Youngblood" doesn't originate from a fresh scan, and the catalog title has some noticeable age. Detail is soft but not impossible to find, with the textures of the period, including knitted hats and smooth polyester, coming through. Skin surfaces are merely adequate, and locations are identifiable, offering street dimension. Colors are a tad muted, but primaries are appreciable, with blue skies and greenery present. Personal style encourages more varied hues, especially in club scenes. Delineation is passable. Source is in decent condition, without major points of damage.
Leading with the War soundtrack, the 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix remains clear, presenting sharp instrumentation to retain the funky vibe of the feature and its disco influences. Volume supports dramatic endeavors, never crowding out dialogue exchanges, which are preserved, fighting some inherent production audio limitations. Sound effects and group activity are acceptable, filling out atmospherics.
The soundtrack by War provides a beat-heavy rhythm to "Youngblood," offering some musical muscle to develop the pressure building within the lead character. Nosseck doesn't have much money to secure his vision, but he does have music, which is generally quite good at creating moods and amping up club encounters. The helmer also captures the roller coaster ride of fate in Youngblood's life, guiding impressive performances from O'Dell and Jacobs, who dig in deep with these men, aiming to create thinly veiled pain as they play parts in the South Central drama. "Youngblood" leads to a more action-oriented conclusion, but the ending is appropriately somber, leaving viewers with something more to chew on besides the empty thrill of violence.
1973
1971
1984
Remastered
1989-1999
Black Valor
1973
1976
1973
1952
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1971
1940
Limited Edition to 3000
1988
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1998
1974
MVD Rewind Collection
1985
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2021
2021