Title: The Expendables (2010)
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc/Two Disc Set
Video: 1080p/AVC
Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Subtitles: English and Spanish
Run time: 103 minutes
Studio: Lionsgate Films
Rating: R
Region Coding: Region A Only
Equipment used for review: Sharp LC-46SB57UN 46" 120Hz 1080p LCD (24fps), Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Receiver, Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1, & LG BH200 Super Blu
Cast/Crew Info:
Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross
Jason Statham as Lee Christmas
Jet Li as Ying Yang
Dolph Lundgren as Gunner Jensen
Eric Roberts as James Munroe
Randy Couture as Toll Road
Steve Austin as Paine
David Zayas as General Garza
Giselle Itié as Sandra
Charisma Carpenter as Lacy
Directed by Sylvester Stallone
My take: (the breakdown)
When The Expendables hit theaters several months I thought it that it might be worth a trip to the theater, but decided to wait on the Blu-ray and I am actually glad that I did. When a group of elite mercenaries (The Expendables) are asked by a CIA operative to assassinate a Hispanic general no one thinks anything of it than just another deposit of money. After the team's two lead members do some reconnaissance of the island where the general is housed they discover he is simply a puppet and things are being ran by someone else. When things become more complex and personal for a few members of the team they must reassess whether assassinating the general is worth the extra hassle. Filled with the basic stuff that makes an action title decent most genre fans should be satisfied with a rental. Due to extreme violence and profanity this one is not for children of any age.
The Expendables hits Blu-ray with meeting virtually all of the expectations that I have for a new release. Colors are well saturated without any noticeable problems. At first I thought flesh tones were slightly red, but then I realized that it was just Stallone's overly tanned skin causing that hue. Grain is moderate through most of the film, but it becomes quite heavy during the film's darker sequences. In fact the grain is slightly noisy during a few of the darker scenes, but it's not a huge distraction unless you were looking for it like I was. Fine detail is what you would expect with every wrinkle, hair, and texture easily visible throughout the entire film. This is certainly what I have come to expect from Blu-ray and other viewers should be equally impressed.
For detailed screen captures from this Blu-ray Disc please visit the following link: http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/122867-my-take-expendables-2010-a.html
Right on par with the video quality is The Expendables' 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Right from the first scene you know that you're going to be in for a sonically surround treat. Both the fronts and surrounds see plenty of attention and the dialogue is still easily understandable throughout all of the action. I felt that the surrounds could have used more for discrete sounds, but that's about all I found to nitpick about. Get ready for your sub to shake your house because there are enough explosions in this film to rival most of the Rambo films. This is definitely the type of presentation that works surround systems to the core and thankfully it is nearly perfect.
The Expendables comes to Blu-ray with a healthy assortment of extras. First up is a feature length audio commentary with Stallone. Next is a PiP feature with Stallone that is actually quite similar to the audio commentary. Next is a 45 minute look at the Comic-Con interview panel that took place earlier this year. Rounding out the supplemental package is a 25 minute look at the film's editing process, a five minute gag reel, a deleted scene, and the film's trailers/TV spots. The Comic-Con panel is presented in 1080i, the gag reel and deleted scene in 480p, and the rest of the features are in 1080p. There is also a second disc that doubles as a DVD and Digital Copy of the film.
Movie: 6/10
VQ: 9/10
AQ: 9/10
Supplements: 7/10
Final Word: Worth A Rental
As always thanks for reading folks.
Comments