Deliver Us from Evil Blu-ray Review

The 1080p Blu-ray presentation of "Deliver Us from Evil" stands out with its incredible detail and resolution, thanks to the use of ARRI Alexa cameras and a 4K digital intermediate (DI). The film's meticulously crafted visuals benefit from this high-quality digital capture, ensuring a generally sharp and artifact-free image. While the initial sections of the film in Korea are bathed in a blue/gray hue, the scenes in Bangkok shift to a strikingly heavy yellow tone. Despite these color variations, clarity remains consistently high across different scenes. Dark scenes, notably those in dimly lit holding areas, exhibit some crush but show ample shadow detail overall.

The AVC encoded 1080p transfer retains excellent fine detail, even amidst the bold and sometimes extreme color grading choices. The film's palette is characterized by a sickly yellow tone that occasionally approaches a yellow-green shade, especially prevalent in Thai exteriors. Despite this heavy-handed color push, other hues such as blues and reds pop vividly, providing a compelling contrast within the frame. Subtlety may be absent in the color correction, but the pristine set pieces and low reliance on CGI—common in Asian action thrillers—offer an engaging viewing experience. Well Go USA delivers a solid Blu-ray presentation, maintaining a high level of quality throughout the film's 108-minute runtime on a BD-25 disc, effectively handling the demands of the high-quality digital source.

The audio presentation of "Deliver Us from Evil" on Blu-ray is anchored by a robust and muscular 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that delivers an engrossing auditory experience. The track boasts remarkable clarity with finely reproduced dialogue that remains uncompromised amid the relentless action sequences. Listeners can expect extensive use of surround channels with pinpoint accuracy, where the side and rear channels actively engage, capturing every explosion, scream, and bone-crunching moment. The soundstage is fairly spacious, offering effective panning and directional cues, making bullets seem to whiz overhead and explosions to reverberate through the room. Additionally, the LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) exhibits a forceful, albeit not overpowering, presence that provides a satisfying thump without overwhelming the overall mix.

The film’s dynamic range is notably commendable with significant headroom, supporting everything from intense hand-to-hand combat to explosive car chases. Mowg's energetic score further enhances the immersive quality of the audio, complementing the on-screen action with good balance and immersion. While the track is predominantly in Korean, it includes Thai and English dialogue segments, which are seamlessly integrated. The disc offers two sets of English subtitles: one for non-English parts, and another labeled “full English” that subtitles every word spoken. For those who prefer an alternative, there is also a secondary 2.0 Dolby Digital audio track available.

In summary, "Deliver Us from Evil" offers an engaging auditory experience with its vigorous DTS-HD MA track. It skillfully prioritizes clarity and accuracy in dialogue delivery while enveloping the viewer with its meticulously mixed surround sound effects. Optional English subtitles cater to diverse viewing preferences, ensuring a comprehensive experience for all audiences.

The Blu-ray edition of "Deliver Us from Evil" includes a modest selection of extras that provide some valuable insights into the film's creation. Most prominent is the Making Of featurette, where stars Hwang Jung-Min and Lee Jung-Jae discuss their reunion after their acclaimed collaboration in "New World". The Filming Locations segment offers a brief yet intriguing overview of the logistical challenges and advantages of shooting across Korea, Japan, and Thailand. The disc is designed such that the extras play consecutively, with trailers for other Well Go USA releases auto-playing at both startup and after main features. All featurettes are subtitled in English and presented in HD, maintaining a consistent viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Of: Behind-the-scenes with lead actors.
• Filming Locations: Discusses international shooting locations.
• Teaser: Short promotional teaser.
• International Trailer: Trailer targeted for global audiences.
• US Trailer: Trailer for the United States market.
• Well Go USA Trailers: Previews of additional Well Go USA releases.

"Deliver Us from Evil" dives into the well-trodden but engaging territory of a former assassin thrust back into the underworld for a higher purpose. Echoing sentiments from Hollywood hits like "Taken" and "The Professional," the film presents In-nam (Jung-min Hwang), an ex-Korean Intelligence officer turned assassin with a plan to retire, whose life takes a tumultuous turn when he discovers his ex-lover's daughter has been kidnapped by human traffickers in Bangkok. Aided by Yui, a colorful local personality, In-nam embarks on a relentless quest filled with brutal action and emotional undertones, distinguishing itself with viciously intense fight scenes and memorable characters.

The narrative weaves classic action film tropes—assassins, kidnappings, and revenge—with visceral execution. Ray the Butcher (Jung-jai Lee), the vengeful brother of In-nam's last hit, pursues him with deadly intent. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between In-nam and Ray introduces disturbing but captivating elements to an already taut narrative. Flashbacks are strategically inserted to fill in backstories, maintaining a balance between action and emotional depth. Despite the film's structural oddities, such as these mid-film flashbacks, they serve to clarify and enrich character motivations effectively.

Director Won-Chan Hong delivers high-octane thrill sequences without shying away from graphic violence, ensuring each action set piece is impactful. The chemistry between Hwang Jung-Min and Lee Jung-Jae anchors the movie, allowing their intense clashes to elevate a somewhat predictable plot. Memorable for its pulse-pounding pace and unflinching portrayal of violence, "Deliver Us from Evil" succeeds in transforming familiar elements into a riveting and brutal spectacle. While its influences are apparent, the film’s slick execution and standout performances create a compelling addition to the Korean action cinema landscape.

"Deliver Us from Evil" isn't a groundbreaking addition to the action genre, but it embraces its conventional narrative with remarkable energy and flair. The film, directed and written by Won-Chan Hong, successfully balances well-worn tropes with invigorating performances and relentless action sequences. Jung-min Hwang and Jung-jae Lee portray memorable characters whose clash drives the film's momentum, supported by a solid cast including Jeong Min Park and Hee-Seo Choi. The plot may be predictable, but it's executed with a vigor that ensures continuous engagement.

Technically, this Blu-ray release from Well Go USA excels significantly. The video quality, presented in a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio, showcases meticulous attention to detail, rendering action scenes with clarity and dynamism. The audio options include a Korean DTS-HD MA 5.1 track that provides an immersive auditory experience, along with a Korean DD 2.0 track for versatility. English subtitles are available for full translation, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience. The film's runtime of 108 minutes is tightly edited, maintaining a brisk pace without unnecessary fluff.

However, the Blu-ray release shows a typical shortcoming in the extras department, offering nothing new for collectors or enthusiasts seeking behind-the-scenes insights or additional features. Despite this, "Deliver Us from Evil" is a solid action film that combines brutal fight sequences with just the right amount of emotional depth, particularly through the addition of Yui's character, which adds a heartfelt dimension to an otherwise adrenaline-fueled narrative.

In conclusion, "Deliver Us from Evil" is a highly entertaining action movie with superior audio and visual presentation on Blu-ray. It more than covers up its narrative predictability with intense action and well-executed performances. Fun and brutal, this film makes for an engaging watch and comes recommended for anyone seeking a robust action experience without requiring innovation in its storyline.