Redline Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Redline" from the MVD Marquee Collection offers a visually stunning experience with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.40:1, capturing the essence of its film origins. Shot on film, this edition maintains a robust and organic visual presence throughout. The color palette is notably rich; however, there are moments in the latter parts of the movie where slight desaturation occurs. Despite some stylistic flourishes such as wipes and split screens that may occasionally impact detail fidelity, the overall imagery remains sharp and inviting.

Handled expertly by WB’s MPI, "Redline" provides an impressive video quality, standing out as one of the earlier films that utilized a digital intermediate from the original film. The Blu-ray’s presentation in 2.35:1 is characterized by vibrant colors and stark contrast that accentuate both close-up details and racing sequences, ensuring excellent depth and dimensionality. With its bright colors and fine detail, viewers will find the presentation crisp and almost comparable to contemporary releases.

The film is encoded on a BD-25 disc, running smoothly at 93 minutes without pushing the encode's limitations. It showcases remarkable black levels, especially given the scarcity of darker scenes, contributing to an overall superb visual experience. "Redline" on Blu-ray presents itself as a testament to high-quality transfers, resonating vividly with the visual clarity expected from modern digital intermediates, effectively keeping it relevant and engaging for today's audience.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Redline" showcases an impressively dynamic soundscape that immerses the viewer in its energetic and frenetic environment. The Dolby Digital 5.1 track effectively captures the film’s exciting car sequences, marked by throttling engines and screeching tires that fill the room with a lively atmosphere. The sound design is noteworthy, achieving a sense of being right in the midst of a drag race. Directional cues and discrete panning are executed with flair, enhancing the overall experience with sounds that move seamlessly across the soundstage.

However, the lack of a lossless audio track such as DTS-HD Master Audio limits the potential for even more robust audio performance. While the Dolby Digital track provides decent fidelity and good immersion, audiophiles may find the midrange and low-end slightly underpowered compared to what could be achieved with higher resolution audio. The lossy format inevitably affects bass depth, though it does not severely detract from the film’s aural excitement.

Despite these limitations, the track maintains full dynamic range, ensuring dialogue remains crisp and intelligible amidst the chaos of racing sounds. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available, adding accessibility to viewers who require them. Overall, while the choiced audio format could have been optimal, "Redline" still delivers a compelling and engaging auditory experience that complements its high-octane visual narrative.

The Blu Ray release of "Redline," part of MVD's Marquee Collection, features an array of engaging extras from the film's original 2007 DVD offering. "Under the Hood: The Making of Redline" serves as a standard EPK but stands out with insightful behind-the-scenes footage, showcasing the intricate stunt work and thoughtful commentary from key figures like cinematographer Bill Butler. "Redline at the LA Auto Show" provides a brief yet amusing promotional glimpse into the automotive world, albeit with somewhat awkward interactions. Additionally, the disc includes a range of trailers, offering a nostalgic promotional context for both "Redline" and other MVD releases. As a region-free collection, these extras underscore the film's dynamic spirit and behind-the-scenes vigor but those in search of superior audio might consider alternative editions.

Extras included in this disc:

• Under the Hood: The Making of Redline: Behind-the-scenes featurette exploring stunt work and set footage.
• Redline at the LA Auto Show: Promotional piece from an auto show.
• Redline Original Theatrical Trailer: Official movie trailer.
• Action USA Trailer: Promotional trailer.
• Kill Zone Trailer: Promotional trailer.
• LA Wars Trailer: Promotional trailer.

"Redline" is a film that capitalizes on the allure of luxurious cars and stunning visuals but offers little in terms of plot depth or character development. The movie serves as a testosterone-filled spectacle, reminiscent of an over-the-top B-movie version of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, but without the same star power or narrative cohesion. Centrally, the film follows Natasha Martin, portrayed by Nadia Bjorlin, a mechanic who dreams of a rock star life yet finds herself embroiled in the world of illegal street racing, with Eddie Griffin's music mogul character as her gatekeeper into this perilous lifestyle. The plot is thinly veiled, primarily acting as a vehicle for fiery car crashes and the picturesque display of high-end automobiles.

Director Andy Cheng crafts racing scenes that are visually impressive, making good use of vehicles like the Koenigsegg CCX and Porsche GT. These vehicular spectacles are accompanied by superficial intrapersonal dramas and rivalries. Characters are introduced with brisk identifiers rather than in-depth developments—reflective of the film's tendency to prioritize style over substance. Angus MacFadyen's portrayal of a gambling-addicted villain further amplifies the film's melodramatic flair.

Despite its lack of narrative heft, "Redline" manages to serve as diverting entertainment for viewers seeking sheer car-based escapism. It’s easy on the eyes, filled with extravagant vehicle sequences and capable of providing a guilty pleasure akin to comfort food. While it neither achieves critical acclaim nor deep introspection, it provides more amusement than its narrative might suggest, catering specifically to those nostalgic for the era's adolescent escapades in adrenaline-fueled racing.

"Redline" on Blu-ray delivers an exhilarating visual spectacle filled with dynamic racing sequences and an abundance of flashy cars, crafting a cinematic experience that thrives on exhilarating momentum. The animation quality truly shines on this disc, with vibrant colors and meticulously detailed character designs that leap off the screen. The high-definition transfer maintains a clean, smooth flow, enhancing the already impressive visual elements. However, while the video quality meets high expectations, the audio falls somewhat short. The Blu-ray offers a lossy audio track which, although serviceable, lacks the depth and clarity audiophiles might desire for such an action-packed film.

Despite the shortcomings in audio fidelity, "Redline" remains a vibrant testament to animated storytelling, merging high-octane action with stylistic grace. The narrative, though secondary to visual flair, engages viewers with its adrenaline-fueled pace and larger-than-life characters. This approach results in a film that invites audiences to indulge in its youthful enthusiasm and ignore minor plot inconsistencies for the sheer enjoyment of its artistic bravado. The technical aspects provide just enough support, though a more robust audio presentation would enhance the immersive experience.

In conclusion, "Redline" is a guilty pleasure that excels in delivering thrilling visuals and uninhibited fun, making it a worthwhile addition for animation enthusiasts or fans of high-speed drama. While its technical merits on Blu-ray are balanced between exemplary video and satisfactory audio, the overall entertainment factor remains compelling. For those captivated by the allure of fast cars and vibrant animation, this release should meet expectations, even if those come alongside certain caveats in audio performance.