Double Team Blu-ray Review

The 1080p transfer of "Double Team" from Mill Creek presents viewers with a mixed bag, resulting in a film-like image marred by several noticeable issues. The transfer exhibits frequent pixelation at the 23:36 and 25:31 marks, with stray vertical lines and random pops of dirt and debris appearing intermittently. Although macroblocking is not a persistent problem, the grain tends to appear frozen rather than organic, detracting from the overall visual experience. On the positive side, details are relatively crisp, and the colors maintain an adequate boldness, especially evident in dynamic scenes featuring Rodman's hair and explosive action sequences. Skin tones appear accurate, and black levels, while not exceptional, are decent enough.

Sony's master, as handled by Mill Creek, fails to treat "Double Team" with sufficient care, resulting in a less satisfying Blu-ray debut. The print is plagued with dirt and scratches from the outset and suffers from low resolution that barely surpasses DVD quality, exacerbated by ineffective edge enhancement. Grain is processed to the point of smearing, leading to a jumble of digital noise rather than a true filmic look. The transfer's bitrates are not high, resulting in less than stellar visual fidelity. Notably, the disc has two instances of severe artifacting, akin to an illegal cable feed scramble.

Despite these setbacks, the transfer does achieve some success in its color representation. The palette tends to be warm in saturation and, although likely faded over time, remains one of the few aspects that stand out in this presentation. This Blu-ray release clearly lacks the quality control needed for a high-caliber presentation. It seems probable that Mill Creek's cost-saving measures, possibly intending to compress this title down for a double-feature release later, significantly impacted the overall video quality.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track of "Double Team" presents a unique yet robust two-channel audio experience. While exclusively utilizing the front left and right speakers, it effectively capitalizes on the entire front stage’s width. High-octane music, gunfire, and vehicle movements are delivered with impressive power and detail, particularly aiding Quinn's high-stakes missions in the opening scenes. A significant explosion at the 7:48 mark showcases the audio's capacity to create a dynamic presence with fiery power and expansive debris effects. The action scenes maintain a steady sense of depth and force, even in the absence of a dedicated subwoofer channel, contributing to the track’s full-frontal engagement.

Dialogue is predominantly centered with clear imaging and strong prioritization, ensuring speech remains intelligible amidst the action. The audio mix demonstrates surprising depth and detailed musical cues that enhance overall immersion, making the track feel larger than its two-channel configuration. However, some limitations are apparent, such as minor muffled qualities in dialogue and occasional scratchiness. Explosions often test the upper treble limits, and while the range isn't extensive, the mid-range remains consistent. Although the audio presentation retains a predominantly flat plane due to its lack of surround sound support, bursts of action manage to spread slightly across the stereo channels. Despite its limitations and 1997's original 5.1 audio availability, this mix serves as a reliable and engaging auditory experience for fans of the film.

The Blu-ray release of "Double Team" from Mill Creek is a missed opportunity regarding extras, offering no supplemental content outside its standard play and subtitle options. The menu screen design mirrors the Blu-ray case artwork, delivering a cohesive yet minimalistic user interface. The release does, however, shine through its packaging: a colorful Retro VHS slipcover that features Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Rodman prominently. This slipcover is arguably the most appealing aspect, with vibrant 90s aesthetics enhancing collector value. Despite the sleek packaging and meticulous retro design, the absence of extra features such as commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes footage, or deleted scenes, leaves much to be desired for fans and collectors alike.

Extras included in this disc: None

"Double Team" (1997), directed by Tsui Hark, is an action film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Rodman, deeply entrenched in the bizarre late '90s excesses. Van Damme plays Jack Paul Quinn, a former elite secret agent thrust back into service to tackle one of the world's most-wanted criminals, Stavros (Mickey Rourke). Following a botched mission that leaves Quinn severely wounded and his family dead, he’s confined to The Colony—a secret resort detaining felled secret agents. Escaping with the aid of Yaz (Dennis Rodman), Quinn pursues Stavros, leading to a climax involving tigers, newborn babies, and minefields.

The narrative arc is rooted in revenge and ridiculousness, with elements ranging from Van Damme’s tiger fights in a Roman coliseum to Rodman’s over-the-top sports puns. Mickey Rourke plays the villainous Stavros with an underdeveloped drive shifting from plutonium theft to revenge, pitting Quinn against dangers including a minefield-tiger showdown. The performances are cringeworthy at best, particularly in the film’s initial sequences, where poorly written lines exacerbate abysmal acting.

Stylistically, "Double Team" borrows heavily from Hark's Asian cinema roots, with twisting camera angles and intermittent wire work akin to contemporaneous Jackie Chan films. Yet, American touches permeate its aesthetics, projecting Cold War-era fear and a peculiar anti-Arabic sentiment wrapped in a plot seemingly predicting National Security Agency functions. The film’s special effects and montages, including Van Damme’s notorious bathtub lifting scene, showcase dated yet ironically amusing action choreography. Ultimately, "Double Team" thrives on low-grade campiness, positioning Rodman's flamboyant presence as its absurd centerpiece.

Double Team offers a unique pairing of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Rodman, capturing the over-the-top action sequences and quirky charm characteristic of 90s action films. The movie is known as much for its offbeat ensemble as it is for its improbable plot twists, highlighted by an absurd climax involving a Coca-Cola vending machine shielding characters from catastrophic explosions. While this scene typifies the film's overall lack of serious narrative heft, it encapsulates the unabashedly silly fun that defines the movie.

Mill Creek’s Blu-ray release delivers on the technical front, presenting the film with surprisingly decent video quality and a robust two-channel lossless audio track. These elements combine to create a viewing experience that, despite the film's inherent flaws, meets the standards expected of modern home-viewing. The absence of special features is notable, making this edition best suited for dedicated fans of the film rather than those seeking a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience.

In conclusion, "Double Team" is undeniably a ridiculous and brainless spectacle, poorly suited for cinephiles searching for depth and nuance. However, its outlandish premise, combined with Mill Creek's competent Blu-ray treatment, makes it an ideal choice for a light-hearted viewing session, particularly in a party setting. For those who appreciate campy action flicks from the 90s, this Blu-ray delivers exactly what's expected.