Blood Money Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Blood Money" delivers a mixed performance in its 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer. Shot with the Red One camera and framed at 1.78:1, the image fidelity is notably smooth and grainless, indicating a direct digital path from capture to authoring. Cinematographer Dan Macarthur's vision is captured with reasonably high detail, particularly in close-ups where fine details are prominent. The film’s vivid and stylized use of color—ranging from intense cyan to bright orange flames—adds a distinctive visual flair, though occasional scenes augmented with CGI can sometimes be easily discerned by viewers. Minimal banding appears sporadically, but it is generally unobtrusive and likely to go unnoticed by most.

However, there are definite limitations to the video quality that dampen the overall experience. Wider shots suffer from loss of fine detail, and objects at a distance lack clarity. The contrast levels are inconsistent, often shifting with scene transitions, which contributes to a somewhat disjointed visual presentation. Colors can be vibrant, especially in sequences featuring the neon signs of Hong Kong's harbor, but an ever-changing lens filter tends to diminish the natural luminescence of various locations. Black levels are notably problematic; many scenes set in low light lose significant detail in the shadows, impacting visibility and viewer enjoyment. Overall, while certain aspects of the transfer provide an acceptable viewing experience, the Blu-ray’s visual performance reflects the low-budget nature of the production and falls short of delivering a consistently high-quality presentation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Blood Money" leaves much to be desired, failing to deliver a truly immersive auditory experience. The mix is loud enough to handle typical action sequences, such as gunfire and hand-to-hand combat, but it lacks the atmospheric and directional intricacies that elevate film audio. The various accents present in the dialogue can sometimes be difficult to understand, although this is mitigated by the availability of subtitles.

Despite moments of promising sound design, such as Pitbull’s energetic rap number which offers decent bass, the track remains mostly uninspired. The front channels bear the brunt of the musical score, which quickly becomes repetitive and lifeless. Dialogue clarity is maintained through the center channel, but overall, the audio emanates with a tinny undertone. While some sound effects like punches are adequately reproduced with satisfactory impact and directionality, others, including gunshots, lack the forceful presence expected in contemporary action films.

In summary, "Blood Money's" DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is underwhelming and fails to make full use of surround sound capabilities. The audio presentation stands out only for its ability to remain consistently unremarkable, resulting in an overall experience that is both lacking in depth and dynamism.

The Blu-ray extras for "Blood Money" are disappointingly sparse, offering minimal supplementary content beyond a single theatrical trailer. Those expecting detailed behind-the-scenes featurettes or insightful commentary tracks to explore the creation of the film will find themselves disappointed. On startup, the disc automatically plays previews for other films, but no additional content that enhances the viewing experience of the main feature is provided.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: The theatrical trailer in HD, providing a brief preview of the film.
• Previews: Automatic play trailers for other films upon disc startup.

"Blood Money" attempts to present a thrilling martial arts saga, boasting Zheng Liu as the next Bruce Lee. However, it stumbles drastically in its narrative coherence and overall direction. The film's director, Gregory McQualter, pieced together a convoluted series of scenes that fail to construct a clear and engaging storyline. Characters meander through the plot with little to no introduction or development, often leaving the audience perplexed about their roles and motivations. The rapid shifts between different locations and flashbacks further muddle the narrative. Although the premise revolves around a bitter feud between Colombian drug dealers and Hong Kong's Triads, the film’s execution is marred by half-baked plot points and indistinguishable characters.

Despite showcasing impressive martial arts sequences, Zheng Liu's portrayal suffers from an inconsistent character arc. The action scenes, while sporadically entertaining, employ jarring jump cuts and subpar wire work that undercut their impact. Moreover, the film's dialogue is laden with logical inconsistencies and amateurish lines that detract from any semblance of seriousness. An example of this is evident when a character threatens to kill "ear-to-ear," an incomprehensible phrase that encapsulates the script's numerous flaws. In addition, gross exaggerations in action scenes, like firing four shots from a double-barreled shotgun without reloading, expose a blatant disregard for realism.

Adding to the film's shortcomings is its permeating misogynistic tone and unabated violence, which feel gratuitous rather than integral to the plot. With pitifully minimal screen time for rapper Pitbull and a haphazard use of vivid imagery, the movie struggles to leave an impression besides its failure to balance shock value with substance. Ultimately, "Blood Money" is an endeavor marked more by its incoherence and unpalatable content than by any martial arts prowess or cohesive storytelling.

The Blu-ray release of “Blood Money” has garnered criticism for its lackluster presentation and underwhelming content. The film, purportedly showcasing the rise of Zheng Liu as a martial arts star, misses the mark by a substantial margin. The video quality is subpar, marred by inconsistent sharpness and washed-out colors, detracting from the overall viewing experience. Furthermore, the audio is equally unimpressive, with a lack of depth and clarity that fails to bring the action sequences to life. The dearth of supplemental features compounds these issues, providing no added value for collectors or martial arts enthusiasts.

Director McQualter’s efforts behind the camera fall flat, as the film suffers from disjointed storytelling and mediocre direction. While Zheng Liu exhibits potential, his talents are squandered in this poorly executed production. Comparisons to martial arts icons such as Bruce Lee feel misplaced and ultimately do a disservice to Liu's nascent career. The narrative lacks coherence and fails to engage the viewer, making it a challenging watch even for avid fans of the genre.

In conclusion, “Blood Money” fails to deliver on multiple fronts. The disappointing Blu-ray transfer, coupled with an uninspired film, makes this release hard to recommend. Zheng Liu’s future in cinema may hold promise, but this particular outing is best avoided. I suppose it's possible that Zheng Liu might become the next Bruce Lee, but if that ever happens, I'll be surprised if Blood Money features prominently on his resum�. McQualter, however, shows real promise for becoming the martial arts version of Ed Wood. That may not be a distinction he wanted, but then again even Ed Wood never intended to become Ed Wood. Avoid at all costs.