No Holds Barred Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "No Holds Barred" offers a respectable high definition upgrade but is hampered by several visual inconsistencies. While the 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer provides the best rendition of the film since its theatrical run, it suffers from a lack of uniformity in its contrast. Early scenes appear slightly washed out with noticeable shifts in brightness that extend throughout the movie. This fluctuation in contrast hampers the overall clarity, though there are moments where fine detail becomes prominent, particularly in close-ups where facial textures are clearly defined. Unfortunately, the image quality oscillates between being grainy and overly smooth, detracting from a truly filmic aesthetic.

Color reproduction is also hit-or-miss. On the one hand, the presentation features vivid blues and reds that pop in brighter sequences, albeit sometimes appearing electric or rusty. These vibrant shades do inject some visual interest, but they highlight an underlying issue: the colors often lack depth and consistency. Black levels are particularly problematic, at times looking washed out and devoid of the necessary texture to enrich darker scenes. Despite these drawbacks, the film is free from distracting artifacts such as scratches or dust, maintaining a clean appearance throughout.

While not without its flaws, the overall quality of this Blu-ray release should satisfy fans looking for a nostalgic revisit. The film benefits from better fine detail and general clarity compared to previous home media versions. However, the moments of inconsistent contrast and color fidelity may leave more discerning viewers desiring a more polished restoration.

The audio presentation of "No Holds Barred" on Blu-ray offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that aims to enhance the film's dynamic elements but ultimately shows mixed results. The music is introduced with decent spacing and a robust low end that energizes the overall experience, matched with some fair crowd ambiance. However, as the movie progresses, the audio does not sustain this initial promise. Punches, crashes, and other action sequences in the ring often lack authenticity, appearing crunchy and unrefined. Ambience, such as minor background noises during scenes like a restaurant sequence, remain basic and fail to expand into a fully immersive environment.

Dialogue clarity varies throughout the film; while lead characters' voices are generally clean and intelligible, some lines come across as scratchy or pitchy. Lister’s whispering of his character's name can be garbled at times, reducing coherence. Conversely, Hogan, Fuller, and Severance’s dialogue is mostly consistent and clear, typically driven through the center channel. The climactic fight scenes utilize rear channels more dynamically, adding elements of spatial immersion that are notably absent in quieter moments. Music and sound effects are predominantly routed through the front speakers but exhibit inconsistent atmospheric elements from the rear channels, which find better prominence towards the film’s end.

Balance across dialogue, score, and sound effects remains relatively harmonious throughout, offering an equilibrium that supports the film's needs without excelling. While the LFE component is present, it rarely impresses and contributes nominally to impactful scenes. Directionality and imaging provide fluid transitions between scenes, aligning well with on-screen movements. Though far from perfect, the mix brings more range and clarity than one might anticipate and suffices in meeting the movie’s basic audio demands.

The Blu-ray extras for "No Holds Barred" provide a nostalgic walk down memory lane for wrestling enthusiasts. The highlights are the two iconic matches featuring legendary wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, Zeus, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Brutus Beefcake. The presentation quality is standard definition, which retains the original broadcast's authenticity. Additionally, an HD photo gallery offering high-definition visuals makes for a comprehensive bonus package for fans of classic wrestling.

Extras included in this disc:

• SummerSlam Match: Zeus & Macho Man Randy Savage w/ Sensational Sherri vs. Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake w/ Miss Elizabeth. From August 28, 1989.
• No Holds Barred Steel Cage Match: From December 27, 1989.
• Photo Gallery: High-definition visual collection.

"No Holds Barred," released in 1989, is a WWE production starring Hulk Hogan at the height of his wrestling career. This action-packed feature attempts to merge the wrestling fanfare with a storyline engaging enough for a broader audience, albeit with limited success. Positioned as a prelude to the UFC, the film portrays Hogan as Rip Thomas, deviating slightly from his Hulk Hogan persona. Rip, a world wrestling champion beloved by fans, faces off against Zeus, a menacing brute played by Tommy "Tiny" Lister. The antagonist, Mr. Brell (Kurt Fuller), is an overly zealous TV executive who spares no effort to coerce Rip into his network's ruthless competition, "The Battle of the Tough Guys," leveraging both underhanded scheming and physical confrontation.

This dynamic between good versus evil, albeit formulaic, lends the film a classic ’80s cheese quality. Rip's character oscillates between a family-friendly hero and a colossal brute capable of uprooting limousine doors with ease. Despite these extremes, the narrative falls short in resonating emotionally with the audience. The script lacks substance, relying heavily on Hogan’s larger-than-life presence and sporadic humor to carry the plot. Supporting characters, like Severance's Samantha Moore and Paymer’s nuance-rich portrayal of Brell's sycophants, offer momentary diversions but fail to elevate the overall storyline beyond its predictability.

Director Thomas J. Wright attempts to craft a gauzy, glowing portrayal of Rip, creating a stark contrast to the brash spectacle typical of professional wrestling. Yet, "No Holds Barred" succumbs to its own contrived elements, culminating in a final act that underscores might over right. The film’s earnest endeavor to paint Rip as a virtuous hero is overshadowed by its generic and linear narrative. While it holds nostalgic value for die-hard wrestling fans and captures the era’s spirit, it does little to break new ground or offer a genuinely original cinematic experience.

Image Entertainment's Blu-ray release of "No Holds Barred" is a nostalgic trip back to the 80s, though that's not necessarily a compliment. While the film embraces classic themes from the era, such as the goodhearted hero versus the nefarious villains, the execution is sorely lacking. The narrative feels overly simplistic and emotionless, despite its inherent potential for drama. The performances are fascinatingly over-the-top, bordering on cartoonish, which does provide a certain retro charm but ultimately underscores the film’s one-dimensional characterization. The juxtaposition of serious themes with a lighthearted, almost farcical presentation leaves much to be desired in terms of coherence and emotional depth.

Technically, the Blu-ray release is a mixed bag. While the video transfer can be uneven, it is generally a significant step up from previous editions, offering a visual experience that is passable but not particularly impressive. The audio fares slightly better with an appreciated DTS upgrade, but it’s nothing groundbreaking. The inclusion of a few bonus features is a thoughtful touch for die-hard fans, although these extras are unlikely to convert any skeptics. This release seems geared more towards hardcore enthusiasts who value nostalgia over technical perfection.

Where similar films like "The Karate Kid" succeed, "No Holds Barred" fails. Though many of the core themes are classic 80s—the goodhearted hero pushed too far against the bad guys who can't see anything past the hate that defines their lives—"No Holds Barred" feels like an emotionless knockoff, a movie that means well at its core but can't execute to save its life. Serious themes are countered by a cartoonish façade and hopelessly one-dimensional characters. It's a perfect example of the 80s movie done rather poorly, its only redeeming value its star power and, now some quarter-century later, nostalgia. Hardcore fans will probably be waiting a long time for another release, so despite its flaws, this is the best the film is likely to look and sound for quite a while. Curious general audiences are encouraged to rent or wait to buy on the cheap.