Assassinaut Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image for "Assassinaut" (2.37:1 aspect ratio) elicits mixed reactions due to its distinctive stylistic choices. The movie employs distorted lenses, resulting in an oddly shot picture that's amplified by milky black levels aimed at a particular aesthetic that doesn't always succeed. Despite these choices, detailed textures on facial surfaces and practical effects retain their moist, palpable qualities. Planetary travel sequences provide a pleasing sense of depth and distance. Color accuracy is maintained with lighter hues on uniforms and appealing greenery, while scenes of bloodshed boast vivid reds. However, compression issues cause noticeable banding throughout, affecting the visual experience.

"Assassinaut" presents an overall pale and flat aesthetic, with grays substituting for black, detracting from image depth and leading to substantial noise and banding in the 1080p presentation. Soft digital work leaves the forest scenery and other settings appearing lackluster, possibly intended to evoke an alien atmosphere. Firm detail is seldom observed except in extreme close-ups. Furthermore, color saturation is weak; despite identifiable reds, blues, greens, and yellows on the characters' jumpsuits, the primary colors lack vibrancy. Blood effects stand out sporadically, effectively highlighting the film’s practically made gore.

The intended style of "Assassinaut" significantly influences its visual presentation but is marred by technical limitations. The absence of true blacks and dominant gray tones introduces noise and hampers detail retention. While certain scenes deliver on detail and color accuracy, frequent banding and a generally soft image compromise the overall quality.

The audio presentation of the "Assassinaut" Blu Ray offers a satisfying experience through its 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track and Dolby Digital 5.1 option, accommodating a range of listening preferences. The DTS-HD MA mix excels in dialogue clarity, ensuring that the interactions among the young cast are easily distinguishable, and more forceful adult appearances maintain a commanding presence. The score is notably engaging, employing a heavier synth sound that occasionally delves deep into the low-end spectrum, effectively enhancing music, space travel sequences, and explosions with a robust rumble. Although the surround channels are not heavily utilized, they provide adequate support for atmospheric effects on alien worlds and within confined space station environments.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, accompanied by an optional 2.0 configuration, utilizes the soundstage sparingly yet intelligently. This track leverages rear channels for alien approaches and jump scare cues, providing well-timed aural surprises. Ambient sounds, such as animal calls and chirps, break through from the center channel, adding a layer of immersion. While LFE presence is moderate, it adequately accentuates space station explosions to highlight their impact, though it might feel somewhat restrained in overall power. The combination of these mixes delivers a competent and enjoyable audio experience for viewers of "Assassinaut," ensuring that both dialogue and dynamic action sequences are presented with clarity and engaging depth.

The Blu-ray release of "Assassinaut" offers an impressive array of extras, enriching the viewing experience with its well-rounded supplementary content. Leading the charge are two engaging commentaries; one by writer/director Drew Bolduc and another featuring both Bolduc and producer Bedhan Ball, providing in-depth insights into the making of the film. The collection of eight deleted scenes, though brief, adds layers to the narrative and characters. The disc also features extensive video interviews with key cast members Drew Bolduc, Vito Trigo, and Shannon Hutchinson, alongside a unique short film titled "Dental Association." Rounding out this exceptional package is the official trailer. The additional content collectively enhances understanding and appreciation of "Assassinaut".

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary #1: Features writer/director Drew Bolduc.
• Commentary #2: Features Drew Bolduc and producer Bedhan Ball.
• Deleted Scenes: Various additional scenes.
• Dental Association: A short film.
• Video Interviews: Conversations with Drew Bolduc, Vito Trigo, and Shannon Hutchinson.
• Trailer: Official film trailer.

"Assassinaut," directed by Drew Bolduc, combines a low-budget aesthetic with ambitious interplanetary themes. The plot revolves around four children dispatched to a space station for a diplomatic mission, only to find themselves marooned on an alien planet and tasked with locating the President. The film blends elements from classics like "Ender's Game" and "Escape from New York," but executes them with practical effects and a modest budget. Fans of B-movies may appreciate its occasional gruesome violence and monstrous encounters, keeping the viewer intermittently engaged with its crafted yet rudimentary settings.

While the concept is intriguing, "Assassinaut" suffers in pacing and character development. The narrative gives off the impression of an expanded short story, struggling to sustain its 80-minute runtime. Scenes drag between instances of action, dulling the film's intensity. Despite this, the movie transitions into a fiercely dark tone towards its conclusion, particularly when lifeforms begin to take over characters.

The film presents an interesting juxtaposition, exploring idealistic notions of youth solving societal issues only to present a harsh, cynical reality. The young cast provides robust performances, reflecting diverse motivations and dynamics that drive their interactions. However, these performances don't fully compensate for the overall sluggish pace. Ultimately, "Assassinaut" offers an uncomfortable yet honest critique of human nature and societal biases, though it needed a more energetic execution to fully realize its ambitions.

Assassinaut is a bold venture into the sci-fi genre, composed primarily of fragmented, striking scenes filled with strange events that often overshadow its overall narrative coherence. Director Drew Bolduc displays proficiency in crafting individual encounters that are both visually intriguing and unsettling. From disturbing acts of intimidation to shocking moments of violence, these elements come together to form a vivid, albeit uneven, cinematic journey. The film's reliance on visual storytelling is both a strength and a limitation, as it compensates somewhat for the absence of seasoned actors, though it sometimes lacks the drive to maintain momentum within its central quest.

The Blu-ray presentation brings out the best in Assassinaut’s visuals, revealing the lush and eerie cinematography in high definition. The audio quality complements this well, effectively enhancing the tension and immersion through a detailed soundscape. However, viewers might find the film's overall pacing and narrative coherence more laborious than engaging. The tone fluctuates drastically, creating a viewing experience that can feel disjointed at times. This inconsistency may detract from the film's darker themes and culminate in an ending that feels abruptly grim without sufficient buildup.

In conclusion, Assassinaut demands a willingness to appreciate its stark visuals and unconventional approach. While it may falter as a cohesive narrative, its specific moments of grotesque wonder and tension provide intermittent rewards for those patient enough to traverse its uneven storytelling landscape. With lowered expectations for a seamless plotline, viewers can find value in its eclectic mix of unsettling imagery and sporadic bursts of intrigue.