The Assignment Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate Films’ Blu-ray presentation of "The Assignment" is delivered through an AVC-encoded 1080p transfer in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Despite some typical Lionsgate issues with banding in darker sequences, the overall digital shoot is technically solid. Colors are well saturated, skin tones appear appropriate, and fine details are frequently impressive. Fabrics, such as clothing, exhibit excellent texture down to individual fibers, and even under the dim lighting, shadow detail remains reasonably intact.

The film features some stylistic choices including black and white sequences, yellows, and blues, with noteworthy fine detail in the monochrome scenes. In these segments, details like the muslin bandages on Frank's face post-surgery are clear. The coolly lit blue-tinged psychiatric prison scenes exhibit strong detail levels, while dusky yellow sequences slightly obscure clarity—possible intentional choices to mask makeup effects. The black levels are mostly deep and rich, revealing details like hair follicles and textures on dark surfaces without crushing, although occasional murkiness is noted.

Despite "The Assignment" not being a particularly vibrant film in terms of color palette, it handles natural browns and grays effectively. Whites display impressive variety within their range of shades and tints. Flesh tones maintain consistency throughout the film, capturing facial features such as wrinkles and stubble accurately. The facial prosthetics on Michelle Rodriguez hold up exceptionally well under scrutiny. Overall, the Blu-ray offers a clean image with crisp clarity and minimal noise or artifacts, providing a solid modern digital presentation.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray of "The Assignment" leverages a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that, while proficient, doesn’t quite break into exceptional territory. The film’s dialogue-heavy nature is well-served with crisp, clear vocal reproduction free of imbalances and supporting the exposition-heavy scenes effectively. Surround activity is generally limited, with the majority of the acoustic focus rooted in center channel activity. Ambient environmental sounds provide subtle enhancements to the overall experience, with side and rear channels mild but effective.

The soundtrack truly animates during sequences of extreme violence and action, with gunfire and other impactful effects receiving solid attention. Bass elements are directly connected to these moments, offering a visceral punch especially during the scenes involving Frank’s favored .45 caliber weaponry. However, it should be noted that the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is somewhat restrained by the film's direct-to-video budget constraints, resulting in a more subdued auditory experience outside these intense scenes.

In terms of dynamics, "The Assignment" offers a balanced mix between dialogue, sound effects, and musical score. Layering and depth in special effects are perceptibly handled, providing a realistic sense of space even if predominantly front-focused. Low-frequency extension adds weight to gunshots, crashes, and musical crescendos, although the subwoofer engagement remains more infrequent than in typical action movies. Overall, it’s a solid yet conservative track that delivers clear dialogue and accurate ambient sound placement, punctuated by sporadic bursts of more dynamic auditory elements during its action peaks.

The extras on the Blu Ray of "The Assignment" present a concise yet intriguing look into the film's production process. Key among them is "Filmmaking Portraits Photo Montage," a short but engaging slide show of on-set stills that give a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the film. The montage is accompanied by the voice-over of Michelle Rodriguez that opens the film, adding a unique touch to this visual presentation. Though brief, these extras are crafted to complement and enhance understanding of the film, offering viewers additional layers of context.

Extras included in this disc:

Filmmaking Portraits Photo Montage: A slideshow of on-set photos with a voice-over by Michelle Rodriguez.

"The Assignment" directed by Walter Hill offers an intriguing yet ultimately mismanaged premise that fails to coalesce into a coherent action film. The movie stars Michelle Rodriguez as Frank Kitchen, a hitman who undergoes involuntary gender reassignment surgery following a double-cross and awakens in the body of a woman. Sigourney Weaver plays Dr. Rachel Jane, the vengeful surgeon responsible for this transformation. The narrative intertwines Frank's quest for revenge with Dr. Jane's manipulative games with prison psychiatrist Ralph Galen, portrayed by Tony Shalhoub.

Despite Hill's trademark cinematographic flair, including sharp cut scenes reminiscent of his iconic works like "The Warriors" and "48 Hrs.," "The Assignment" falls short largely due to its lackluster production quality and ill-conceived thematic execution. The film's low budget is palpable, with many scenes occurring in static, uninspired settings that convey a stifling sense of claustrophobia. The special effects also leave much to be desired; the makeup intended to transform Rodriguez into a male appears almost comically inadequate, undermining the intended suspension of disbelief.

Rodriguez commits wholeheartedly to her challenging role, but her performance alone cannot salvage the film from its myriad shortcomings. Weaver's portrayal vacillates between earnest and disengaged, further blurring the line between camp and seriousness that the film struggles to navigate. Although the movie attempts to delve into contemporary issues surrounding gender identity, it does so in a manner that feels forced and preachy, detracting from the potential impact of its narrative.

In summary, "The Assignment" is an ambitious yet flawed project that showcases brief flashes of Hill's directorial prowess but ultimately succumbs to poor execution and budget limitations. This effort results in an uneven viewing experience that never quite fulfills the promise of its provocative premise.

Walter Hill's "The Assignment" presents an intriguing premise, tackling themes that are both progressive and thought-provoking. Unfortunately, the film struggles significantly in its execution. Despite a notable cast featuring Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, and Tony Shalhoub, the acting performances fail to rise above mediocrity. The narrative itself feels disjointed, and Hill appears unable to cohesively merge the storyline's various elements. Moreover, while the visual and audio quality of this Blu-ray release are noteworthy—boasting an impressive 2.39:1 AVC video transfer and a robust DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track—the overall package is undermined by its lackluster extras, featuring only a rather uninspiring photo gallery.

Technically, the film demonstrates strong production standards. The high-definition video is crisp and clear, capturing Hill’s distinct directorial style with bold visuals that enhance the atmospheric tension. Similarly, the audio mix is dynamic and immersive, ensuring that viewers can appreciate the subtle nuances of the score and sound effects. However, these technical merits do little to salvage the film’s core deficiencies. The storytelling is fragmented and fails to maintain a consistent pace or tone, leaving the audience searching for coherence that never arrives.

In conclusion, "The Assignment" offers moments of potential but ultimately falls short of delivering a compelling experience. The combination of underwhelming performances, erratic pacing, and minimal supplementary content on the Blu-ray release makes it difficult to recommend this film as a purchase. Instead, it may be more suitable for rental or streaming for those particularly curious about Hill’s latest work. The talent involved in the project suggests greater possibilities, but the final product leaves much to be desired.