Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses Blu-ray Review

"Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" on Blu-ray showcases a remarkably strong video presentation with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The overall picture is impeccably sharp, detailing every crag and crevice in actor Danny Trejo’s face, and generously saturated with accurate, vivid colors that enhance the overall viewing experience. The contrast, while generally consistent, shows slight variability in some nighttime scenes, maintaining a well-balanced brightness and richness. Black levels are outstanding, offering impressive gradation and depth, thereby providing exceptional dimensionality to the overall image. The video quality is nearly flawless, with minimal instances of artifacts notwithstanding occasional minor banding.

The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode is vibrant and dynamic, revealing a full-bodied and vivid color palette that gives the digital photography a colorful, lively feel. Both primary and secondary hues fill the screen with radiance and warmth, supplemented by brilliant contrast and crisp whites that enhance clarity and visibility. Sharpness and detail are superb, capturing fine lines and textures exquisitely from start to finish. Although "Bad Ass 2" was shot on a modest budget, this is not evident from its high-definition presentation, which pulls viewers effortlessly into the action with epic depth despite not being a 3D film. Flesh tones appear healthy and natural, without any pasty or ghastly appearance among the cast members.

Lastly, the Blu-ray disc handles artifacts and noise exceptionally well, remaining largely free of such issues. However, some inconsistencies were observed during scenes with questionable CGI. Overall, "Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" delivers a visually engaging and technically sound presentation that does justice to its digital cinematography.

The audio presentation of "Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" on Blu-ray delivers a solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that, while maintaining clarity and fidelity, leans heavily towards a front-centric focus. Throughout much of the film, the action and dialogue are primarily anchored in the center channel, ensuring vocals are consistently clear and crisp. This approach occasionally limits the immersive quality that one might expect from a high-octane action film. However, during more intense sequences and musical swells, the soundstage expands, utilizing the rears to enhance directionality with discrete effects, albeit sporadically.

The dynamic range is commendable, with detailed clarity across the highs and mids. Low-frequency extension performs admirably, providing deep, substantial bass that adds palpable weight to scenes of destruction and explosions. While this isn't reference quality material, it ensures an engaging auditory experience. The surround sound presentation effectively captures the chaos of heavy gunfire, enriching the overall soundscape, and making the action sequences more thrilling.

In summary, "Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" offers a generally satisfying audio experience with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. Dialogue reproduction remains consistent and intelligible regardless of the scene's intensity, ensuring that even amidst the most frantic moments, you never miss what's being said. Although the mix could benefit from a more consistently engaging surround presence, its strong dynamics, solid low-frequency effects, and clear dialogue make it a competent component of the Blu-ray experience.

The extras on the Blu-ray for "Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" are minimal but informative. The single featurette, presented in HD, offers a standard EPK-style overview with a runtime of around 10 minutes. It includes cast and crew interviews alongside substantial behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage, capturing the crew's enjoyment during production. This short but engaging piece provides insights into the film’s creation process, making it a valuable addition for fans interested in the movie’s background.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses: A short featurette with cast and crew interviews and extensive behind-the-scenes footage.

"Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" attempts to follow suit from its predecessor, leveraging the unique appeal of Danny Trejo and Danny Glover as senior citizens dispensing vigilant justice. The plot, although basic and lumbering, provides moments of charm derived mainly from the leads' chemistry. Trejo's portrayal of Frank Vega and Glover's depiction of Bernie Pope bring enough energy to the film, even if the story struggles to break out of predictable rhythms and shoddy scripting. The narrative, centered on avenging the murder of a young boxer at Frank's gym, could have benefited from more dynamic developments but instead plays out in expected revenge drama tropes.

One noteworthy aspect is Moss's use of nostalgia and nods to classic action franchises. There are subtle references to "Lethal Weapon," especially in Glover's character, that transform the formulaic story into an understated buddy-cop satire. The duo’s humorous yet absurd fight sequences, where age meets action hero antics, offer sporadic highlights. However, the film relies heavily on subpar CGI and professional stunt doubles, leading to mixed results in execution.

While the movie achieves some comic moments, particularly through the dynamic duo suiting up for battle, it falters with a monotonous villain and uneven pacing. Technical limitations such as rear projection photography and crude CG effects during certain action scenes contribute to its low-budget aesthetic. Despite these issues, "Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" offers a moderate level of entertainment sustained by its leads' charisma and occasional clever footnotes.

"Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses," directed by Craig Moss, marks the return of Danny Trejo as Frank Vega and introduces Danny Glover’s Bernie Pope. While the film captures brief moments of gritty vigilantism, it falls short of its predecessor, largely due to a lackluster script and uneven pacing, particularly in the second act. Nevertheless, the chemistry between Trejo and Glover is a saving grace, as their performances provide much-needed charisma against the backdrop of an otherwise uninspired narrative.

The technical merits of this Blu-ray release are commendable. The picture quality is surprisingly excellent, offering sharpness, clarity, and vibrant color accuracy that enhance the viewing experience. Audio presentation is equally impressive, delivering a robust and immersive soundstage that complements the film's action sequences. Unfortunately, this release disappoints in terms of supplemental content, offering little more than the main feature.

In conclusion, "Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" is a mixed bag. Fans of Trejo and Glover will appreciate their dynamic onscreen, but the film's broader appeal may be limited by its shortcomings in storytelling and direction. Though not without its charms, it’s a sequel best approached with tempered expectations. For those curious about the further adventures of Frank and Bernie, consider renting before committing to a purchase.