Skin Trade Blu-ray Review

Skin Trade," shot on the high-quality Arri Alexa by cinematographer Ben Nott, who is known for his work in "Predestination," brings forth a visually mesmerizing experience on Blu-ray, thanks to Magnolia Home Entertainment. The film's digital intermediate ensures that the 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer is direct and pristine, offering an image that is sharp, clean, and vibrant throughout its entirety. Viewers are treated to a plethora of details in both the bustling streets of Bangkok and the serene landscapes of the surrounding countryside, all captured with an eye that appreciates the natural beauty and production value of the locations. The color palette is diverse and pleasing, with deep blacks and balanced contrast that enhance night scenes and dark interiors without sacrificing detail.

On a technical note, the BD-25 disc houses the 98-minute film at an average bitrate of 22.001 Mbps. This bitrate is notably well-suited for handling the digital content, especially considering the action-packed nature of "Skin Trade." The careful encoding work ensures that even in the most dynamic fight sequences, there are no discernible artifacts, maintaining an immersive viewing experience. This attention to detail in the video presentation respects both the source material and the end-user, ensuring that the technical aspects of the Blu-ray do not distract from the film's intense action and scenic backdrops.

In conclusion, Magnolia Home Entertainment has delivered a commendable Blu-ray presentation for "Skin Trade," with its digital source flawlessly translated onto home media. The efficient use of bandwidth allows for a clean and detailed picture that takes full advantage of the film's digital photography. Whether it's the vivid urban environment of Bangkok or its lush rural settings, this Blu-ray rendition maintains the integrity and dynamism of the original cinematography without compromise.

The audio presentation of "Skin Trade" on Blu Ray, delivered in a 5.1 soundtrack with a DTS-HD MA lossless encoding, crucially supports the film's high-octane action sequences through its adept handling of dynamic range. The cacophony of firearms, the shattering of explosions, and even the thunderous descent of an aircraft are all meticulously captured, presenting an auditory feast that enhances the visual spectacle. However, the use of the surround channels tends toward creating ambient depth rather than offering pinpoint discrete effects, leading to a broad but somewhat underutilized soundstage that envelops the viewer in the film's intense atmosphere without always feeling fully immersive.

Despite this broad approach to the sound field, the dialogue remains predominantly clear and intelligible, standing out against the backdrop of chaos – with the notable exception of Tony Jaa’s lines, reflecting his ongoing mastery of English during filming. This minor hiccup does little to detract from the overall clarity afforded by the soundtrack. The musical score, crafted by Jacob Groth, albeit not reaching the memorable heights of his work on the Swedish adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, effectively bolsters the film's pacing. It serves its purpose in maintaining momentum and tension throughout, even if it doesn't leave a lasting impression on its own.

Ultimately, the audio presentation of "Skin Trade" on Blu Ray proficiently supports the film's narrative and visual efforts with a competent if not groundbreaking mix. While it could benefit from more innovative use of surround sound capabilities to fully immerse the audience, it reliably delivers the essentials for an action-packed cinematic experience. The blend of clear dialogue (with minor exceptions), balanced score, and dynamically rendered sound effects ensures that the film's auditory landscape is as engaging as its visual counterpart.

The Blu-ray extras for "Skin Trade" offer a comprehensive yet succinct exploration behind the scenes, spearheaded by actor/writer/producer Dolph Lundgren's commentary that delves into the project's history and his intensive involvement, albeit with a preference for mechanical details over deeper insights. The collection is supplemented by a modest selection of deleted and extended scenes, which, while visually in line with the main feature, don't significantly enrich the narrative or character arcs. A making-of segment provides a standard electronic press kit experience with insights from key cast members and the director, Ekachai Uekrongtham. Additional highlights include a focused look at the film's meticulously choreographed fight scenes and a brief but informative interview with Lundgren. A glance at Uekrongtham's directorial approach adds depth, alongside promotional content for other Magnolia Home Entertainment offerings and a still-pending BD-Live feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Actor/Writer/Producer Dolph Lundgren: Lundgren shares the history and his extensive role in developing "Skin Trade".
• Deleted/Extended Scenes: Five cuts offering more of the film’s visual style without significant plot or character additions.
• The Making of Skin Trade: A conventional behind-the-scenes look with cast and crew interviews.
• Behind the Action: Fighting You Can Believe: Insights into the film's fight choreography, featuring comments from the cast, including Tony Jaa.
• Interview with Dolph Lundgren: A concise overview of key production aspects previously addressed in his commentary.
• A Look at Director Ekachai Uekrongtham: Perspectives on the director's approach to "Skin Trade", complemented by cast and producer comments.
• Also from Magnolia Home Entertainment: Trailers and promos for related content and services.
• BD-Live: A digital feature promising future online updates.

Skin Trade," when reviewed as a straightforward action movie loaded with industry veterans like Peter Weller, Ron Perlman, Michael J. White, Dolph Lundgren, and Tony Jaa, serves as an engaging and entertaining film. Its ensemble cast, featuring characters like RoboCop, Hellboy, and Spawn, offers a strong appeal for fans of the genre, promising action-packed sequences and formidable on-screen matchups. However, the movie's ambition to dive into the grim realities of human trafficking, underscored by Lundgren's personal investment in the subject matter after being inspired by news reports, struggles to resonate beyond the surface level. The translocation of its setting to Thailand for both narrative authenticity and production pragmatics does add a layer of geographical legitimacy to its portrayal of the sex trade, yet the film predominantly shines in its execution of fight sequences rather than its exploration of its central theme.

The narrative positions characters across the globe, from Bangkok's determined Detective Tony Vitayakul (Tony Jaa) attempting to infiltrate a notorious sex trafficking ring, to Newark's Detective Nick Cassidy (Dolph Lundgren) whose life takes a drastic turn towards vigilantism following a personal tragedy linked to the same criminal empire. Their paths are intricately woven through a series of misunderstandings and alliances, catalyzing an eventual collaborative force against the villainous Viktor Dragovic (Perlman) and his operations. Despite these narrative efforts, the true standout elements of "Skin Trade" lie in its meticulously choreographed fight scenes – a testament to the skill and physicality of its lead actors, particularly Jaa and White, whose performances elevate the film's action credentials significantly.

Nonetheless, "Skin Trade" finds itself at an impasse between delivering high-octane entertainment and conveying a meaningful commentary on human trafficking. While it superbly showcases the talents of its action-oriented cast through impressively staged combat sequences that avoid reliance on rapid editing or stunt doubles, it only skims the surface of its more profound thematic ambitions. The absence of any concrete call to action or informative material post-credits signals a missed opportunity to profoundly engage audiences with the real-world implications of its premise, leaving "Skin Trade" as an effectively thrilling yet ultimately shallow excursion into a topic that demands deeper contemplation and responsiveness.

Skin Trade" arrives on Blu-ray with mixed emotions surrounding its overall presentation. Despite its ambitious attempt to blend an intriguing cast alongside vibrant locales and commendable fight choreographs, it falls prey to the pitfall of overpromising and under-delivering. Marketed as a cut above the standard genre fare, it struggles to fully transcend its action movie roots. Nonetheless, for enthusiasts of the genre looking for straightforward, kinetic entertainment, the film delivers enough thrills to be considered a worthy addition to one’s collection, particularly for a single viewing or a rental. The technical aspects of the Blu-ray attempt to do justice to its colorful settings and dynamic sequences, ensuring that at least on a visual and auditory level, the experience is engaging.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray presentation of "Skin Trade" is competent, delivering vibrant visuals that effectively showcase the film's varied locations and well-choreographed action sequences. The audio mix complements the visual experience, with sound effects and scores that enhance the film’s pace and tension. While these elements are commendable, they are somewhat overshadowed by the film's inability to fully realize its potential beyond the confines of its genre. It's important to highlight these aspects for potential viewers seeking a nuanced overview of the Blu-ray’s value.

In conclusion, "Skin Trade" on Blu-ray stands as a testament to missed opportunities in elevating genre cinema to greater heights. Despite its robust cast and dynamic fight scenes set against the backdrop of appealing locations, it falls short of transcending its genre trappings. However, for those with calibrated expectations, looking for an evening of adrenalized entertainment, this release is recommended as at least a rental. The technical presentation does justice to the film's action-packed sequences, making it a worthwhile consideration for fans of straightforward action cinema.