Heist Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate’s UK Region B-locked Blu-ray release of "Heist" features a 1080p/AVC-encoded High Definition video presentation in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1. The video quality is marred by significant issues that detract from the viewing experience. Shot digitally with the Red Epic, the overall presentation appears problematic right from the opening menu, riddled with artifacts and a disconcerting yellow tint. This jaundiced hue pervades the night sequences, severely compromising the background detail and giving characters and environments a sickly appearance. Additionally, there are persistent focus issues, leading to delays in pulling characters into clarity.

In terms of positive aspects, some scenes show commendable detail with well-resolved clarity and a natural filmic texture. These are predominantly the daylight sequences, which provide a stark contrast to the otherwise flawed visuals. Unfortunately, the inconsistency and technical deficiencies, including softness in reasonably lit scenes and focus-pulling issues, overshadow these moments. Director Scott Mann and cinematographer Brandon Cox’s post-production techniques such as distressing and desaturation only compound the problems, leading to a curiously underwhelming high-definition presentation for "Heist". The technical execution here falls short, making for a somewhat disappointing visual experience overall.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Heist" offers a robust auditory experience that significantly enhances the viewing. The dialogue, while occasionally hampered by Jeffrey Dean Morgan's mumbling in the first act, is generally clear and well-integrated across the front and center channels. The strong, albeit conventional, musical score provides effective LFE support and decent surround backing, maintaining engagement even during less compelling dramatic moments.

Effects are a standout feature, with gunshots delivering a powerful punch and contributing to an immersive sound environment, particularly in the bus-staged second half. The soundstage is filled with a variety of auditory elements—sirens, growling engines, bikes, and helicopters—that whip across, creating a dynamic listening experience. Despite not reaching demo-quality material, this audio presentation is significantly stronger than its video counterpart.

The mix remains a typically noisy blend, with bursts of LFE and numerous panning effects that enhance the action sequences, especially within the claustrophobic confines of the film’s bus setting. Surround activity is consistent and well-balanced, ensuring that the viewer is enveloped in the film’s atmosphere. Overall, "Heist’s" DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track manages to deliver a compelling and largely flawless auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Heist" provide a well-rounded, if not overly extensive, look at the film's production and cast. The commentary track, featuring Director Scott Mann, Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Writer Max Adams, offers valuable insights into the film's creation process. An engaging 15-minute making-of documentary provides a glimpse behind the scenes, while a selection of deleted and extended scenes adds depth to the narrative. The disc also includes a series of interviews with key cast and crew members, offering their unique perspectives and experiences during filming. Overall, these extras serve to enhance the viewer's appreciation of the movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Scott Mann, Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Writer Max Adams: In-depth discussion on film creation.
• Deleted/Extended Scenes: Additional footage not in the final cut.
• The Making of Heist: Behind-the-scenes documentary.
• Cast and Crew Interviews: Insightful conversations with key personnel.

"Heist" falls short of its ambitious premise, blending generic heist elements with echoes of "Speed." The film opens energetically, dropping viewers into the middle of an armed bus hijacking led by masked gunmen. These men, driven by personal motivations ranging from paying for medical bills to concealing mob money laundering, aim to rob millions from a casino run by aging crime boss Mr. Pope (Robert De Niro). Despite this promising setup, the film devolves into a predictable series of betrayals and conflicts aboard the hijacked bus. The uninspired shootouts and pacing issues resurface persistently, making the second half feel like a subpar homage to action-thrillers of yore.

The cast’s strong pedigree—Robert De Niro, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Dave Bautista, and Gina Carano—remarkably elevates what is otherwise a cumbersome screenplay. De Niro’s portrayal of a worn-out mob boss veers towards the perfunctory, arguably reflecting a paycheck role rather than devotion to the narrative’s integrity. Similarly, Morgan’s character, driven by his daughter's illness, struggles to emerge beyond a cliché of the honorable thief. Bautista’s more violent demeanor juxtaposes Morgan’s reluctant criminal, crafting a dynamic but ultimately shallow partnership. Carano as the pursuing law enforcer brings grit but remains underutilized amidst the film's chaotic developments.

Screenwriters Stephen Cyrus Sepher and Max Adams introduce various hoary tropes and structural devices that superficially enhance the plot without adding genuine depth or innovation. The derivative title alone reveals the project's struggle with originality. A forced storyline is compounded by an overly convoluted plot that oscillates between tedious exposition and lackluster action sequences. Despite baseline technical competency and sporadic moments of engagement, "Heist" epitomizes a generic thriller marred by its ambitious yet flawed execution. It fulfills baseline DTV entertainment but nothing more, reflecting a missed opportunity to harness its ensemble’s full potential.

"Heist" on Blu-ray presents an enticing premise that disappointingly falls short of its potential due to subpar execution. The film ambitiously tries to blend the tension of armed robbery scenarios reminiscent of "Heat" with the high-stakes hostage drama seen in "Speed." However, it ultimately squanders its cast's talents, most notably De Niro, who appears to deliver his lines with minimal effort. Despite valiant performances, particularly from Morgan in his stereotypical role as a morally complex protagonist, the movie fails to distinguish itself beyond being a mild DTV-level distraction.

Technically, the Blu-ray release is equally lacking. The video quality is marred by poor cinematographic choices and does little to enhance the viewing experience. While the audio quality holds up reasonably well, the absence of supplementary features further detracts from its value compared to its US counterpart. This release therefore misses the mark for discerning fans looking for an immersive experience and is better suited for a casual, less discerning viewer or a one-time rental.

In the hands of other filmmakers – and in another life – Heist could have maybe better combined its dual elements of The Town/Heat-like armed robbery with Speed-like hostages-on-a-bus thrills in such a way that drawing such comparisons wasn’t so insulting to the films it emulates. Unfortunately, the end result here is remarkable only for the level of wasted talent on offer, and provides little more than a mild diversion in distinct DTV-level ranks. Here we get unforgivably bad video – largely, admittedly, as a result of stylistic choices and just plain bad cinematography – and decent audio, but a complete lack of the extra features that adorned the US counterpart. If there are fans out there who want to buy this; this is the wrong release for you. For anybody even slightly discerning, this is a slow night rental at best, although it’ll rock up on Netflix or Channel 5 in no time at all. You can buy Heist on Blu-ray here.