Rolling Vengeance Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded Blu-Ray presentation of "Rolling Vengeance" (1.85:1 aspect ratio) delivers a mixed visual experience that may not meet modern expectations of high-definition excellence. The image reveals noticeable and persistent softness, which significantly detracts from the fine detail and clarity that viewers might hope for. Textures are most appreciable in close-up shots, while certain metallic elements on the trucks maintain only moderate presence. Colors are subdued, presenting fatigued hues in costuming and small-town backdrops. Greens in outdoor scenes fail to pop, and while skin tones are adequate, they tend to lack vibrancy, rendering them somewhat lifeless. Delineation is passable albeit far from impressive, and the source material quality is serviceable without visible damage, however, some mild banding does become apparent.

The 1080p presentation oscillates between moments of reasonable clarity and a predominantly soft-focus aesthetic reminiscent of an 80's erotic drama. While suitable for an 80's B-movie, this excessive softness during dialogue-heavy scenes can be quite distracting. Colors remain consistently muted, contributing to an overall hazy image that undermines the potential for visual engagement. Moreover, the feature suffers from periodic noise, along with the sporadic presence of dirt and specks throughout the runtime, which certainly grounds it in its original era yet leaves modern audiences desiring a cleaner, more precise image quality.

The Blu-ray release of "Rolling Vengeance" comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 audio track that struggles to match the dynamism of its visual presentation. The sound mix is serviceable, handling dialogue, effects, and music tracks competently, but it cannot fully escape its age-related limitations. Dialogue intelligibility is a recurring issue, frequently subdued and sometimes lost in the overall mix, requiring viewers to turn up the volume to catch all the intricacies, particularly the hillbilly vernacular.

Moreover, the audio quality lacks the crispness and definition one would expect from a high-definition presentation. The music, a key component of the movie with its 80s rock ballads, fails to deliver its full potential impact due to the muffled sound. Adding to the issue, noticeable hiss is present throughout the feature, detracting from an immersive viewing experience. Despite these flaws, sound effects are appropriately loud and serve their purpose well within the context of the film. While the DTS-HD 2.0 track provides a nostalgic audio experience, it falls short of contemporary standards.

The Blu-ray extras for "Rolling Vengeance" offer a comprehensive look into the film’s production and the experiences of those involved. The audio commentary by film historians Paul Corupe and Jason Pichonsky is particularly insightful, providing detailed accounts of the film’s challenging production and casting decisions, as well as conflicts with writer Michael Montgomery. An interview with veteran actor Lawrence Dane adds depth, sharing his personal experiences and professional ambitions related to acting, writing, and directing. The inclusion of multiple theatrical trailers further enriches the viewer’s appreciation of the film and its context within the genre.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful track by Paul Corupe and Jason Pichonsky on production issues.
• Interview with Lawrence Dane: Veteran actor discusses his experiences and professional journey.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical preview of "Rolling Vengeance".
• Trailers: Additional trailers for related films including "Stone Cold Dead", "Cop", "Steele Justice", "An Eye for an Eye", "Original Gangstas", and "Avenging Force".

"Rolling Vengeance" unfolds as a unique entry in the revenge film genre, balancing its grindhouse roots with an audacious high-concept premise. Set in a small Midwest town, the plot centers on Big Joe Rosso (Lawrence Dane) and his son, Joey (Don Michael Paul), who operate a trucking business and face brutal antagonism from local tycoon Tiny Doyle (Ned Beatty) and his delinquent sons. The narrative escalates dramatically with tragic consequences, prompting Joey to construct a monstrous fire-belching truck to deliver his brand of vigilante justice.

Writer Michael Thomas Montgomery's script treads a fine line between intricate character drama and exploitative spectacle. While the film could benefit from scaling back some of its most gratuitous elements—such as child murder and sexual assault—the deliberate pacing ultimately builds to the highly anticipated monster truck rampages, which dominate the latter half of the film. The made-for-TV aesthetic dilutes some of the raw energy expected from such a premise, but the cathartic destruction brought by Joey’s mechanical behemoth compensates viewers seeking visceral thrills.

Director Steven Stern allocates considerable focus to developing Joey's vengeful spirit, sometimes at the expense of the film's kinetic potential. This character-building approach, while making Joey's transformation more poignant, leaves action enthusiasts waiting nearly an hour for the truck to make its explosive debut. Nonetheless, when it does, the stunts and effects deliver satisfying demolitions, although somewhat tempered by the film's low budget. Lawrence Dane’s performance adds emotional depth, and Ned Beatty excels as the morally bankrupt Tiny, providing a suitably detestable antagonist. In conclusion, "Rolling Vengeance" is a flawed yet engaging ride, ably resurrected by Kino Lorber Studio Classics for fans of midnight movies and exploitation cinema alike.

Steven H. Stern's "Rolling Vengeance" is a cult classic that balances an all-too-familiar revenge narrative with a wildly entertaining monster truck spectacle. This film serves up a unique blend of humor, violence, and chaos, delivering exactly what fans of B-movies crave—pure, unadulterated escapism. Dan Haggerty and Ned Beatty’s performances add flavor to the film, with Beatty notably going all-in as the villainous Tiny. The car stunts, particularly involving the weaponized monster truck, are a significant highlight, transforming Canadian locales into a thrilling battleground between protagonists and rednecks alike.

Technically, Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Rolling Vengeance" is commendable. The audio-visual presentation is respectable, making the most of vintage footage to enhance the viewing experience. A noteworthy addition is the included commentary track, offering deeper insights into the production and creative decisions behind this 1987 gem. While the film may not consistently hit the delirious highs of sheer escapist entertainment due to its grounding shock value moments, it still manages to deliver enough thrilling sequences for genre enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "Rolling Vengeance" excels as a cult B-movie with its engaging stunts and over-the-top antics. Despite some inconsistencies in tone, it rewards viewers' patience with an explosive rampage led by an unforgettable DIY monster truck. Film collectors and fans of '80s exploitation cinema will particularly appreciate this Blu-ray release, making it a recommended addition to any collection.