Gridlocked Blu-ray Review

"Gridlocked" is shot digitally using Red One and Red Epic cameras, resulting in a 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation from Magnolia Home Entertainment. The video transfer, presented in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, is sourced directly from digital files, ensuring an accurate representation of the original cinematography. The film showcases the usual advantages of digital capture, such as sharp focus and superior detail, with an absence of noise or interference except for occasional minor banding. Despite these technical merits, the image tends to be on the bland side, attributed to expansive washes of alternating blue and yellow lighting that compensate for rather dull colors and an uninspired production design.

Much of "Gridlocked" takes place at night, which results in solid black levels and acceptable shadow detail; however, the overall palette is bleak, predominantly showcasing blueish or yellow tints. Despite Magnolia's decision to place the 113-minute film on a BD-25 disc along with 1080p extras, resulting in an average bitrate of 19.99 Mbps, the video quality remains fairly sharp and vivid, even in darker sequences. Facial details like Stephen Lang's grayish facial hair and wrinkles are distinct, and wider shots maintain their sharpness. Compression issues are minimal aside from minor banding. While this presentation isn't groundbreaking or particularly vibrant, it provides a competent visual experience that aligns with the film's gritty tone.

"Gridlocked" features a 5.1 sound mix encoded in lossless DTS-HD MA, tailored to meet the essential demands of an action film. The audio presentation effectively distributes gunfire across the sound array and delivers explosions and impacts with a broad dynamic range and respectable, albeit unremarkable, bass extension. Clarity of dialogue is maintained throughout, free from any distracting pops or hisses, ensuring seamless understanding. Jacob Shea's score nicely complements the action but lacks particularly memorable themes, a tall order considering the benchmarks set by composers such as Michael Kamen.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix dutifully captures the quintessential audio elements of the action genre, encompassing everything from intense gun battles to resonant explosions. The directional sound effects are executed well, placing the viewer in the midst of the action with shots and blasts emerging from various directions. While the bass performance is adequate, providing a solid punch, it could benefit from deeper extension to enhance the overall impact. Shea’s scoring, reminiscent of early 90s action films, enriches each scene despite not standing out memorably. Overall, "Gridlocked" delivers a competent and clear audio experience for fans of action cinema.

The Extras provided in the Blu Ray release of "Gridlocked" offer a comprehensive and engaging look behind the scenes of the film. The deleted scenes, although not individually listed or selectable, include a notable additional gun battle that enriches understanding of the narrative. The blooper reel is entertaining with typical on-set mishaps and flubbed lines. "Kicking It Old School: The Making of Gridlocked" provides insightful interviews with the director and cast, detailing their objectives and inspirations, particularly from 90’s action movies. "Inside the Action" focuses on the stunts and training regimes, showcasing the film's dedication to realistic and thrilling action sequences. Although BD-Live is currently inactive, the disc also contains trailers for other Magnolia releases, which might pique further interest in similar genres.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Eight total scenes, including an additional gun battle.
• Blooper Reel: Amusing collection of on-set blunders.
• Kicking It Old School: The Making of Gridlocked: Director and cast interviews about character roles and 90’s action influences.
• Inside the Action: Discussion on stunt work and training.
• Trailers: Previews for other Magnolia films.

Allan Ungar’s Gridlocked is an earnest attempt to pay homage to the testosterone-fueled, explosive action films of the early '90s. Drawing heavily from iconic titles like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and even Commando, Ungar weaves a narrative that blends relentless gunfire and martial arts with familiar plot devices. The film, which set a Canadian record for onscreen gunfire, boasts an impressive ensemble: Dominic Purcell as the stoic David Hendrix, Cody Hackman as the spoiled actor Brody Walker, and Stephen Lang reprising his antagonistic role reminiscent of his part in The Hard Way.

The crux of Gridlocked sees Purcell's Hendrix, an NYPD SWAT leader on medical suspension, reluctantly paired with Hackman’s narcissistic Walker for community service. Their dynamic, unfortunately, fails to ignite the necessary chemistry, rendering many scenes flat and uninspired. Adding to the ensemble are notable faces like Trish Stratus and Danny Glover, who offers a nostalgic yet jarring callback to his famous Lethal Weapon line.

While Gridlocked ticks all the boxes for a standard action movie—high-octane shootouts, a siege at a police training facility, and a sinister plan led by Lang—the film struggles with originality. It frequently feels like a patchwork of scenes and tropes from its more successful predecessors. The stunts and gunplay are competently executed, but without a distinct voice or standout performances, the film doesn’t quite rise above mediocrity.

Ultimately, Gridlocked is plagued by its ambition to emulate rather than innovate. It feels more like an echo of the past than a fresh take on the genre. Despite its technical execution and occasional moments of thrill, it remains derivative, leaning too heavily on its inspirations without bringing new energy or perspective to the table.

"Gridlocked" is an action film with a relentless barrage of bullets, hand-to-hand combat, and a high body count from start to finish. While the movie delivers on non-stop action sequences, it suffers from a lackluster plot that feels derivative and uninspired. The characters are not particularly memorable, despite being portrayed by some entertaining actors. This movie appears to be a fan filmmaker's homage to classic action tropes but unfortunately does not bring anything groundbreaking or fresh to the genre.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Gridlocked" showcases decent video and audio quality. The visual clarity aids in appreciating the intricate details of the action scenes, while the sound design adequately complements the on-screen chaos. Extras included in the Blu-ray release are entertaining enough for those who enjoyed the film, though they are not substantial enough to draw in new fans.

In conclusion, "Gridlocked" might appeal to viewers looking for a mindless, low-budget action flick reminiscent of past movies. However, it remains a generic and forgettable effort. Renting or viewing via VOD is advisable if you wish to see it for yourself.