Hijacked Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Hijacked" on Blu-ray, delivered by Anchor Bay, exhibits a mixed bag of visual qualities that align with the expectations for a film that seemingly leans towards the straight-to-video segment. The 1080p transfer showcases an impressive level of detail in close-ups, revealing intricate textures such as the creases in lush leather seating and the fine lines of luxury tuxedos, highlighting the higher echelons of its HD video source material. Nevertheless, this sharpness in detail inadvertently emphasizes the less sophisticated aspects of the set design, rendering them noticeably lower in quality. Although colors generally maintain a well-balanced harmony, flesh tones occasionally veer towards an unnatural reddish hue, contrasting with the otherwise aesthetically pleasing visuals.

The presentation struggles with a few technical shortcomings, most notably in its handling of black levels and shadow details. Blacks tend to crush finer details, obscuring nuances in clothing and facial expressions under harsh shadows—a problem exacerbated by the video’s flat digital appearance that fails to effectively mitigate this issue. Contrast levels further contribute to the video's challenges, with whites tending to overbrighten, diminishing the overall depth and authenticity of the image. Banding is present, particularly in scenes featuring computer-generated imagery of the aircraft, albeit these instances are not pervasive.

Despite these critiques, the Blu-ray presentation of "Hijacked" does manage to deliver satisfactory visuals that might not captivate but do justice to its source material. It showcases a fair attempt at balancing out its inconsistencies with solid detail work and color management for most parts. However, the video's failure to competently handle black levels and contrast ultimately detracts from a fully immersive viewing experience, leaving the presentation feeling somewhat lacking in both depth and texture, especially noticeable in mid-range shots and shadow-heavy sequences.

The audio presentation of "Hijacked" on its Blu Ray edition, featuring a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, offers a mixed bag of thrills and frustrations that might not cater to all audiences equally. On the positive side, the soundtrack shines during quieter, ambient moments such as the opening party scene, where smooth jazz music pleasantly emanates from the front speakers, albeit with limited surround sound involvement. Dialogue throughout the film remains clear and is well-handled by the center channel, ensuring that conversations are easily followed. However, the audio track stumbles when it comes to delivering a consistent and immersive surround sound experience, especially noted during action sequences where the soundtrack tends to overwhelmingly favor frontal audio channels, leaving much to be desired from the rear speakers.

Throughout "Hijacked," the action scenes reveal a significant imbalance in sound levels, with gunshots and explosions often presented at a jarringly higher volume compared to dialogues and ambient sounds. This inconsistency can detract from the overall viewing experience, as the sudden increases in volume may come off as overpowering rather than enhancing the tension of these moments. Though gunfire and action-heavy sequences attempt to make use of the surround channels, they often fail to deliver a truly engaging or dimensional experience, with notable absence of ambient support inside the plane setting, including a lackluster representation of the takeoff rumble.

Summarizing, while "Hijacked" boasts moments of audio clarity and has its strengths in front-channel delivery and dialogue clarity, it lacks a cohesive surround sound presentation, suffering from fluctuating volume levels that can disrupt viewer immersion. The action scenes, surprisingly, do not capitalize on the potential of the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix to create a vividly encompassing soundscape. Consequently, while it may serve the purpose for a low-budget action film, it falls short of being demonstration-worthy or fully satisfying audiophiles seeking a robust home theater experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Hijacked" notably lacks in the extras department, echoing a minimalist approach that might leave enthusiasts wanting. The presentation is straightforward, providing only the barebones with options for play and scene selections accessible from the main menu. This simplicity extends to its physical offering, where a DVD copy accompanies the Blu-ray in the box. While the dual-format inclusion is appreciated, the absence of any special features, making-of documentaries, interviews, or even a commentary track is a missed opportunity to enhance the viewing experience and provide insight into the film's production.

Extras included in this disc:

• No Extras Available: This release strictly contains the film with play and scene selection functionalities.
• DVD Copy: A standard definition DVD version of the film is included in the package.

Hijacked" presents itself as a direct-to-video title that struggles to leave a mark in the action genre, teetering on the edge of watchability. Despite boasting decent A/V quality on its Blu-ray presentation, the film falls short in delivering a compelling narrative or engaging action sequences. The convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters, compounded by lackluster performances and uninspiring direction, leave much to be desired. Randy Couture's lead role as CIA operative Paul Ross fails to inject the necessary charisma or intensity, further hampered by implausible scenarios and a lack of credible threats from the antagonists. The production values, particularly the unconvincing sets and CGI effects, detract from any immersive experience the movie may have aimed to provide.

The storyline, centered around the hijacking of a luxurious private jet by the terror group "The Tribe," and the intertwined fates of Ross, billionaire Bruce Lieb, and various other characters, fails to captivate. It meanders through tedious setups to an underwhelming climax, with much reliance on stale tropes and inadequate antagonist depth. The film's attempt to blend thriller elements with character-driven drama stumbles due to its inability to effectively develop or explore its protagonists and villains alike.

Despite some potential in its premise and the uniqueness of its setting—a mansion-like jet—the narrative's execution leaves viewers disinterested and disconnected. Even the film's sparse action scenes lack the punch or flair to elevate the overall experience. Significant missteps in character utilization, notably Couture's performance and the portrayal of both heroes and villains, underscore a missed opportunity to delve deeper or innovate within its genre confines. Ultimately, "Hijacked" serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in striking a balance between action spectacle and meaningful storytelling within budgetary and creative constraints.

The Blu-ray release of "Hijacked" presents an underwhelming experience that aligns with the low expectations many might hold for this direct-to-video Action film. Despite a solid technical presentation, the film suffers extensively from multiple fronts: the lack of engaging action scenes, a cumbersome and overworked script, lackadaisical direction, and performances that leave much to be desired. Notably, the casting of pro-wrestlers in leading roles once again proves to be a contentious choice, underscoring a persistent industry issue where physical prowess cannot compensate for lackluster acting skills. The film's pacing drags, making its runtime feel unnecessarily prolonged and concluding with a setup for a sequel that, given the movie's quality, feels more like a threat than a promise.

On a technical note, Anchor Bay's Blu-ray does deliver in terms of video and audio quality, which might be the only commendable aspect of this release. However, the absence of any supplementary materials or extras further diminishes the value of this release. For collectors or fans of the genre, this absence is a missed opportunity to gain insights into the movie's production or to find redeeming qualities that could have enhanced the viewing experience.

In conclusion, "Hijacked" fails to elevate itself beyond the constraints of its genre and the limitations of its execution. While the Blu-ray presentation is technically satisfactory, it does little to salvage the film from its myriad issues. The performance shortcomings, especially from non-actor leads, a forgettable plot, and a dearth of compelling action sequences, render this film an easy pass for most viewers. In an era where the direct-to-video market occasionally produces hidden gems, "Hijacked" unfortunately isn't one of them. Potential buyers might do well to adjust their expectations accordingly or redirect their attention elsewhere.