Escape Plan: The Extractors Blu-ray Review

The 2.39:1 AVC encoded Blu-ray transfer of "Escape Plan: The Extractors" delivers strong facial details and good overall clarity. However, the presentation suffers from typical banding issues, prominently visible in the opening shots and against the night sky. The film also exhibits considerable digital noise, particularly in dimly lit scenes such as the Latvian prison shots and Breslin's underground lair. Furthermore, color grading adds to the problem, presenting scenes with an overpowering green or sepia-yellow tinge, affecting skin tones significantly. In particular, scenes in the plane hanger suffer from exaggerated yellow facial tones, resulting in an unnatural appearance.

Lionsgate Films' AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio suggests the use of Arri Alexa cameras and a 2K DI finish, aligning with the production of "Escape Plan 2: Hades." The film's grading towards yellow or blue frequently reduces fine detail visibility, especially facial details. Low light capture or potential compression issues result in noticeable yellow splotches in several scenes. Oddly, specific low-light scenes maintain excellent detail without prevalent issues, highlighting inconsistency in the transfer quality.

Shot digitally, the film maintains a slick and polished look initially but shifts to a grittier tone within the prison environment without a significant degradation in quality. Depth and second-unit cinematography, including skyline shots, shine well on the Blu-ray. Black levels remain consistent and deep, even in the dimly lit prison cells. Color reproduction is generally bright and bold, though washed out under yellow prison spotlights. Some reviewers noted a lack of noise, debris, or artifacts, but consensus points to substantial room for improvement in capturing fine details and managing color accuracy.

The audio presentation of "Escape Plan: The Extractors" on Blu-ray is a compelling showcase of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track's prowess. This robust track envelopes viewers into the action, particularly excelling in hand-to-hand combat sequences and explosive moments, delivering a solid low-frequency extension that rattles the floorboards. The dynamic range of the track is impressive, ensuring the heavy and powerful sounds of gunfire are balanced against clear, clean dialogue. Ambient environmental sounds are rendered authentically, providing a nuanced atmosphere that enhances the immersion, particularly in claustrophobic prison scenes.

Additionally, the surround sound presentation is adeptly managed, effectively balancing action noises both from the front and the rear speakers. This provides an enveloping audio experience where bullets whiz by, making viewers feel like they're in the thick of the action. The LFE channels provide a substantial rumble that adds depth to the more intense sequences of the film. Overall, the audio quality refrains from being overly nuanced but achieves a loud and aggressive presence that fills out the channels with a satisfying ambiance, whether it’s delivering dialogue or booming action.

The Blu-ray extras for "Escape Plan: The Extractors" deliver a well-rounded experience filled with insightful content for fans and film enthusiasts alike. The audio commentary, featuring director John Herzfeld, along with Sylvester Stallone, Devon Sawa, and Daniel Bernhardt, offers a deep dive into the filmmaking process. Although Stallone joins only for the final fight sequence, the rest of the track is enriched by Herzfeld's detailed narrative and the actors' engaging anecdotes. The included featurette, titled "The Making of Escape Plan: The Extractors," is an essential addition, packed with never-before-seen interviews and behind-the-scenes footage that provide a thorough look at the movie's production. Both features collectively enhance understanding and appreciation of this intense action film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio commentary with director John Herzfeld, Sylvester Stallone, Devon Sawa, and Daniel Bernhardt: Insightful track covering the director's vision and actors' experiences.
• The Making of Escape Plan: The Extractors: In-depth featurette with cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and production insights.

"Escape Plan: The Extractors" marks the third entry in the franchise, with Sylvester Stallone reprising his role as Ray Breslin. Departing from the original prison break format, this iteration shifts towards a conventional rescue mission narrative. Ray Breslin and his team are charged with rescuing the kidnapped daughter of a tech mogul, alongside their team member Abby (Jamie King). Set against a backdrop of bullet-ridden confrontations and martial arts sequences, the movie leans heavily on action tropes familiar to fans of "The Expendables." Despite its predictability, the film occasionally shines in its action sequences, bolstered by solid performances from Chinese martial arts actors.

The movie attempts a few callbacks to its predecessors through recurring characters such as Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s "Hush" and Dave Bautista, albeit their screen time remains limited. Stallone's presence, while central, is understated with only one significant fight scene for his character. With action scenes characterized by rapid cuts and wooden dialogue, the film struggles with pacing and depth. The inclusion of Daniel Bernhardt and Max Zhang adds a layer of intrigue to the fight choreography but does little to rescue the overall narrative from mediocrity.

Shot on a noticeably limited budget, "Escape Plan: The Extractors" manages to deliver bursts of adrenaline through its hand-to-hand combat scenes under John Herzfeld's direction. While it stands as a self-contained story, it aligns itself more closely with the original film than its predecessor "Escape Plan 2: Hades." The film’s attempt at creating a personal vendetta plotline offers fleeting moments of excitement but falls short of elevating it beyond a generic direct-to-video action movie. As a grindhouse-style feature, it manages to entertain certain segments of die-hard action fans but fails to reach the heights of Stallone's earlier works. Rated R for its unapologetic portrayal of violence and language.

"Escape Plan: The Extractors" presents a mixed bag for action film enthusiasts. Starring Sylvester Stallone, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Jamie King, Dave Bautista, Daniel Bernhardt, and Jin Zhang, the film brings star power but stumbles in execution. Directed and co-written by John Herzfeld alongside Miles Chapman, the movie runs 88 minutes and features a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio with DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 audio options. While this sequel will attract those who appreciate non-stop thrills, it lacks the depth and originality that could elevate it beyond standard action fare.

Visually, the Blu-Ray transfer from Lionsgate is adequate but not without flaws. Some fans might notice occasional video inconsistencies that detract from the viewing experience. Conversely, the audio is robust and delivers immersive soundscapes that amplify the film's intense sequences. The special features included in this release are satisfactory but not exceptional, providing some added value for fans interested in behind-the-scenes content.

In conclusion, "Escape Plan: The Extractors" is a forgettable entry in the franchise that fails to live up to its predecessors. While it offers some entertainment for die-hard action fans, its lack of heart and creativity makes it difficult to recommend. Only the most devoted Stallone fans might find it worth adding to their collection. For everyone else, it's a title that is better skipped.