Firewalker Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Firewalker" by Olive Films offers a 1080p HD transfer in 1.85:1 aspect ratio with an MPEG-4 AVC encoding. While it surpasses its old Laserdisc and DVD counterparts, this transfer reveals the limitations of a dated master likely sourced from MGM's archival materials, possibly from the DVD era. The film grain is notably heavy, sometimes appearing artificially sharpened, which detracts from the overall image quality. Daylight scenes shine with robust detail, particularly in well-lit outdoor settings where the color palette delivers vibrant blues and natural skin tones. However, certain sequences exhibit an intentional bright haze, perhaps to mask lower-budget set designs, and occasional halos and banding indicate considerable edge enhancement.

Despite some improvements, there are evident shortcomings in the black levels and contrast. Darker scenes, especially those within caves, struggle with shadow detail and appear flat. The transfer retains a balanced color reproduction with lifelike flesh tones, although some scenes seem overly dim, improving as the movie progresses. Blacks are generally accurate but show no significant loss of detail. Background imagery holds up reasonably well, though interior scenes sometimes appear less three-dimensional.

Overall, the preservation effort by Olive Films stays "hands-off," resulting in accurate coloration and consistent flesh tones in close-ups that reveal fine textural details such as sweat and stubble. The print itself is in passable condition with sporadic nicks and specks, especially around the optical overlays in the opening titles. While the transfer is serviceable for viewing, it falls short of delivering the high standards expected from modern HD presentations.

The audio presentation of "Firewalker" on Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that, while serviceable, exhibits certain limitations. The synth-heavy score by Gary Chang often overshadows dialogue, leading to occasional prioritization issues. Despite these setbacks, the audio track demonstrates fine aging with no signs of wear or tear, maintaining a clean and crisp dialogue reproduction. The sound effects and music are well-leveled and occupy an equal auditory space, although the overall dynamic range remains relatively flat and fails to fully capture the immersive potential of the medium.

Certain action sequences stand out, coming alive with remarkable imaging and dynamics. A notable example is a scene where a bullet ricochets in a tomb, creating an interactive experience with the sound movement clearly captured from left to right at varying distances. However, these moments are sparse and the audio presentation does not consistently maintain this engaging quality. Elements of the track hint at possible ADR work, contributing to a somewhat hollow feel in certain dialogues. Despite the absence of low-frequency extension and surround sound presentation, the track is free from hisses or damage, rendering it competent for a film of its era. Overall, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track performs adequately, with moments of brilliance tempered by an overall sense of unfulfilled potential.

The Blu-ray release of "Firewalker" regrettably comes without any supplemental material. This omission is notable and disappointing for fans seeking deeper insights or behind-the-scenes content to enhance their viewing experience. The absence of extras such as featurettes, commentary tracks, or deleted scenes detracts from the overall value of the disc and limits the potential for comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the film. Consequently, this bare-bones release might discourage collectors and aficionados who typically look forward to exclusive content.

Extras included in this disc:

None

"Firewalker" debuted as an audacious attempt to capitalize on the success of "Indiana Jones" and its contemporaries, but the film often feels chaotically assembled, with a screenplay that borders on incoherence. Chuck Norris stars as Max Donigan, joined by Louis Gossett Jr. as Leo Porter and Melody Anderson as Patricia Goodwin. From desert escapes amidst poorly framed action sequences to their abrupt transitions across locales, the plot is riddled with inexplicable elisions. Scenes such as Leo's magically untied foot amid peril or the sudden bar appearance of a treasure map-wielding Patricia underline the film’s narrative shortcomings and chaotic direction, courtesy of J. Lee Thompson. The technical execution is notably subpar, showcased in haphazard camerawork and a wildly unsteady helicopter shot towards the film’s conclusion.

Despite its disjointed storytelling, "Firewalker" carries a peculiar charm attributed to its spirited cast and self-aware humor. Norris’s portrayal blends typical roundhouse kicks with an attempt at humor that frequently misses its mark yet remains amusingly earnest. Gossett provides a competent foil, balancing the often ridiculous plotlines with grounded performances. Anderson lends her role an unforeseeable depth, striving to transcend the trope of a damsel in distress. While much of the film relies on hammy dialogue and low-budget sets reminiscent of other 80s knock-offs like "Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold," it distinguishes itself through a comical self-awareness and playful tone.

In essence, "Firewalker" may not hold up as a conventional good movie, but it offers entertainingly bad moments that possess a certain nostalgic allure for fans of Cannon Films’ distinct brand of '80s action flicks. Its misguided ambition and resulting campiness ensure it remains an enjoyable watch—for better or worse—with genuine laughs engendered more by its earnest missteps than its intentional humor.

The Blu-ray release of "Firewalker" presents a mixed bag, combining elements of entertaining absurdity with subpar cinematic quality. Starring Chuck Norris, the film is a quintessential example of delightfully bad cinema, akin to cult classics like "Gymkata" and "Road House." While it's unquestionably a "bad" movie, its charm lies in its sheer badness, making it an irresistible experience for fans of low-grade action-adventure flicks. The Blu-ray's technical aspects stand out with a strong video transfer and clear audio, however, the lack of enhanced visuals and supplementary content detracts from the overall package.

Fans of Cannon Films and Chuck Norris enthusiasts might appreciate this release, but casual viewers could find it disappointing due to its sluggish pacing and lack of bonus features. The movie's colorful, fun nature could have been better highlighted with a more thorough video restoration. The absence of interviews or featurettes, especially considering the potential interest in conversations with key actors like Louis Gossett Jr., is a missed opportunity that could have enriched the overall viewing experience.

Chuck Norris starred in a turkey named 'Firewalker' and still continued to enjoy a successful career.

That, ladies and germs, is no joke.