Contract to Kill Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate Films presents "Contract to Kill" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.38:1 aspect ratio. This technical setup allows for a generally high-quality presentation that, despite the film’s low-budget origins, manages to impress in various aspects. The transfer offers very good clarity and detail, particularly in well-lit scenes. Details such as wetness on stone stairs and wood grain movements showcase a commitment to maintaining intricate detailing. However, establishing shots sourced from stock footage do suffer from lower quality and appear slightly ragged. Noteworthy is the consistent color palette, with bright colors like a vivid yellow muscle car adding visual interest.

Despite the film’s technical merits, certain drawbacks are evident. Close-up shots dominate the frame, likely to conceal the fact that filming occurred in Romania, which results in a lack of depth and detail in the background scenes. Moreover, low-light interior shots, particularly one underlit bar scene, display some unwanted film noise, deviating from the generally consistent visual quality. Movements during action sequences can appear jittery and choppy, which detracts from the overall viewing experience.

The Blu-ray maintains solid black levels, offering well-defined textures even in dark scenes. Skin tones appear natural with a hint of warmth, maintaining consistency throughout the film. Colors are generally muted but occasionally pop, such as a standout yellow car and a green shirt with orange accents that add visual dynamism. Overall, while the transfer is adequate and serviceable, it lacks the exceptional quality found in other straight-to-Blu-ray releases from Lionsgate, offering a standard digital image that doesn’t particularly stand out yet fulfills basic viewing expectations effectively.

"Contract to Kill" delivers a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that significantly enhances the viewing experience. The audio presentation is considerably more forceful compared to other similar releases, offering impactful effects that heighten the action scenes, notably the extensive gunfire and bone-crunching hand-to-hand combat. The car chases feature commendable panning activity, contributing to an immersive soundstage. Dialogue is consistently clean and clear with excellent prioritization, ensuring that even amidst the chaos, lines are effectively conveyed without distortion.

The mix is notably bass-heavy, with the LFE channel delivering substantial low-frequency extension that permeates the film's score and sound effects. Explosions, gunfire, engine roars, and punches resonate with impressive depth and impact, creating a dynamic auditory experience. While the track is predominantly front-heavy, it effectively employs the surround channels when necessary, ensuring accurate spatial representation of onscreen events. Although some may find the separation between front channels somewhat sparse, the mix maintains a well-layered texture where vocals, effects, and score coexist harmoniously without overshadowing one another.

Overall, "Contract to Kill's" audio track stands out for its powerful and layered mix, bolstered by consistent clarity in dialogue and detailed sound effects. While it lacks some dynamic elements seen in more explosion-heavy films, it compensates through a solid and bass-rich presentation that suits its action sequences well.

The extras on the "Contract to Kill" Blu Ray provide a mixed bag of insight into the film's production, primarily serving as a medium for Steven Seagal's views on his work and legacy. The standout featurette, "The Making of Contract to Kill," presents a collection of interviews with cast and crew, including Seagal, who discusses his intention to create a retro, Yojimbo-style narrative with modern cartel elements. This is accompanied by amusingly serious behind-the-scenes moments. However, the overall content is often overshadowed by Seagal’s self-promotion and his unconventional comments about his real-life law enforcement background and its relevance to his role. The theatrical trailer offers a concise glimpse into the film's thematic promises but reveals little additional information.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Contract to Kill: Behind-the-scenes featurette with interviews and on-set footage.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official preview of the film.

In "Contract to Kill," directed by Keoni Waxman, Steven Seagal delivers a tepid performance as John Harmon, a former DEA agent embroiled in a convoluted plot involving Mexican drug cartels and Middle Eastern terrorists. The film retains the familiar markers of Seagal's recent straight-to-video endeavors, right down to the sluggish fight scenes requiring aggressive editing to maintain any semblance of kinetic energy. A recurring issue is Seagal's lethargic demeanor, both in dialogue and action sequences, making it difficult for viewers to remain engaged. Additionally, the plot's attempt to draw a serious tone from contemporary geopolitical tensions comes across as insensitive and poorly handled, reducing the film’s potential impact.

Technically, "Contract to Kill" is a mixed bag. On the positive side, the cinematography has improved over Seagal's previous outings, with fewer gratuitous cuts and less shaky camera work, allowing for more coherent action sequences. However, these improvements cannot fully compensate for the film’s numerous deficiencies. The script is overly simplistic and bogged down by long-winded expositional dialogue that detracts from the narrative flow. The film's attempt at weaving a Yojimbo-esque storyline falls flat, burdened by underdeveloped characters and a lack of genuine stakes. Harmon’s allies, including the alluring FBI agent Zara Hayek (Jemma Dallender) and ex-friend Matthew Sharp (Russell Wong), provide some fleeting moments of interest, but ultimately fail to rise above the poorly edited and uninspired action scenes.

"Contract to Kill" might offer some unintentional humor and ephemeral entertainment value for Seagal aficionados or fans of trashy, low-budget action flicks. Nonetheless, it remains a disappointingly derivative effort, highlighting an aging action star’s struggle to recreate past glories through a repetitive and uninspired formula. While the Blu-ray offers a technically competent presentation with improved camera work, the film itself adds little to Seagal’s oeuvre and falls short of delivering a compelling action experience.

"Contract to Kill" presents itself as a disappointing venture, further highlighting the decline of Steven Seagal's prowess in the action genre. The actor visibly struggles throughout the film; his performance lacks the agility and dynamism of his former years. Seagal's rigid stance and lethargic dialogue delivery significantly detract from any potential engagement. From a technical perspective, however, the Blu-ray excels with robust audio and visual quality, ensuring an optimal viewing experience in high-definition.

Despite being marketed as a return to form, this film instead showcases a limp attempt to recreate Seagal's previous success. The plot lacks the excitement and grandiose explosions typical of entertaining action movies, resulting in a tired narrative that takes itself too seriously. Seagal’s attempt at being perceived as a credible hero within an implausible storyline feels more like wish fulfillment. His interactions and romantic entanglements within the movie seem forced and unconvincing, reducing the overall believability.

Ultimately, "Contract to Kill" might satisfy those already inclined toward contemporary Steven Seagal action films. The technical merits of the Blu-ray release are commendable, providing clear audio and sharp visuals alongside some bonus material. Nevertheless, casual viewers and those unfamiliar with Seagal’s recent filmography should consider renting before committing to a purchase. The film's shortcomings overshadow its limited strengths, making it an option best reserved for diehard fans seeking completion rather than entertainment.