Kickboxer: Vengeance Blu-ray Review

"Kickboxer: Vengeance" benefits from a well-executed 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer, maintaining the high image quality expected from modern digitally-shot films. Shot on Red cameras by Mateo Londono, the cinematography showcases commendable sharpness and clarity. The video has an average bitrate of 22.01 Mbps, which is typical for digitally originated content, and it effectively presents intricate details such as sweat beads, tattoos, and individual hair strands. Close-ups are particularly impressive, revealing even the minutiae of makeup effects related to blood and gore.

The 2.40:1 aspect ratio aligns with cinematic standards, providing a balanced visual experience without compromising on detail during wide shots or darker scenes. Colors are generally well-saturated and natural, with the training farm scenes featuring vivid blues and greens. However, the dark fight sequences occasionally suffer from a slight yellowish tint. Black levels are deep and inky, although minor video noise and some crush can be observed. Skin tones remain natural, enhancing the lifelike appearance of the characters.

Overall, "Kickboxer: Vengeance" offers a superior video presentation on Blu-ray. The visual fidelity encapsulates the essence of modern digital filmmaking while preserving enough realism and detail to satisfy discerning viewers. Notably, there is a complete absence of grain, aliasing, or banding issues, further enriching the viewing experience.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack of "Kickboxer: Vengeance" delivers a solid if unremarkable audio experience. The mix immerses the listener effectively during key scenes, particularly capturing the vibrant ambiance of fight sequences and the environment of the Thai police station. The soundtrack's use of surround channels to expand the score by Adam Dorn (a.k.a. Mocean Worker) significantly enhances the viewing experience. However, there are noted deficiencies in dialogue clarity, with conversations often buried beneath other elements of the mix.

While the ambient noises and sound effects are serviceable, they seldom attain the richness or fullness one might expect, except in a few pivotal moments. Noteworthy scenes, such as the bar fight and the final showdown, showcase effective utilization of surround sound, with clear, dynamic crowd noises, breaking chairs, and music that flows seamlessly. These moments also demonstrate more pronounced bass impact, although it tends to be inconsistent throughout the film. Despite this, dialogue remains consistently crisp and free of any distracting artifacts like pops, cracks, or hiss.

The extras for the Blu-ray of "Kickboxer: Vengeance" offer a concise set of additional content that provides some added value but falls short of providing in-depth insights. The "Behind the Scenes" feature is a brief yet fairly generic promo piece compiled with cast and crew interviews, shedding light on the remake process, character development, and filming challenges. The photo gallery includes a collection of fifteen images from the movie, providing a visual recap for fans. Lastly, the disc includes opening trailers for other movies, which unfortunately do not add significant value to the overall package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind the Scenes: Standard promo piece with interviews and discussions on the remake.
• Photo Gallery: A collection of fifteen stills from the movie.
• Introductory Trailers: Teasers for Bone Tomahawk, Odd Thomas, Rage, and The Colony.

“Kickboxer: Vengeance” attempts to revive the 1989 original that catapulted Jean-Claude Van Damme into the limelight, but instead delivers a lackluster performance. While Van Damme returns in a different role, his presence fails to lift the film above its amateurish execution. Alain Moussi, playing the lead role of Kurt Sloane, offers a wooden and unconvincing performance that undermines the intense revenge-driven plot. Moussi’s Kurt is an aspiring Muay Thai fighter seeking to avenge his brother’s death at the hands of champion Tong Po, portrayed by Dave Bautista. Despite being surrounded by a roster of notable talent, including Gina Carano and Georges St-Pierre, the film suffers from poor direction, a sketchy script, and haphazard editing that fails to deliver on both action and narrative continuity.

Van Damme’s involvement feels more like a nostalgic nod than an integral part of the story. Scenes are marred by laughable continuity errors, such as characters appearing wounded in one shot and completely healed in the next. The training montages and fight scenes are uninspired, lacking the vigor and excitement that should define a martial arts film. Director John Stockwell’s attempt at capturing the gritty essence of Muay Thai falls flat, with fight choreography that appears overly rehearsed and devoid of spontaneity. Even more disconcerting is the substantial looping of Van Damme's lines by a different actor, which detracts from any authenticity his character might have lent to the film.

Despite its promising cast and potential for high-octane action, “Kickboxer: Vengeance” ends up being a disappointing entry that fails to honor its predecessor or stand on its own merits. The film’s sloppy execution results in an inconsistent and forgettable experience that neither veteran fans nor newcomers will likely find engaging. The inclusion of notable MMA fighters and celebrities cannot mask the glaring deficiencies in storytelling and production, making it one of the more regrettable remakes in recent memory.

"Kickboxer: Vengeance" presents a disappointing reboot of the classic 1989 martial arts film, failing to capture the nostalgia that fans hoped for. The movie's execution is fundamentally flawed, offering a lackluster storyline and subpar performances that even Jean-Claude Van Damme's cameo couldn't salvage. Despite a premise that might have looked promising on paper, the end product ultimately falls short, coming across as a poorly made film that doesn't do justice to its predecessor.

On a technical level, the Blu-ray does have some redeeming qualities. The video presentation is notably solid, delivering crisp visuals and vibrant colors that showcase the movie's action sequences effectively. However, the audio performance fails to meet expectations, providing a lackluster sound experience that detracts from the immersive potential of martial arts scenes. The sole bonus feature included in the Blu-ray release offers little value, further diminishing the overall package.

In conclusion, "Kickboxer: Vengeance" is a waste of time, let alone money. Maybe the two planned sequels will be better.