Action Point Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray for "Action Point" is impressive, offering a detailed and engaging visual experience. Despite the film being originally photographed at 8K and finished at 4K, the 1080p Blu-ray holds up remarkably well. The movie aims to capture a retro aesthetic reflective of the 1970s and 1980s, which translates effectively onscreen. Modern-day scenes are razor-sharp, exuding clarity and precision. Textures in facial and clothing details are exceptional, as is the intricate depiction of the amusement park with its dusty, weathered attractions. Colors remain vibrant in contemporary settings while adopting a slightly desaturated, warmer tone in flashback sequences to mirror a bygone era.

Action Point's visual execution stands out through its dual narrative timelines. The modern day sequences benefit from spectacular clarity and vibrant colors, accentuating facial details and make-up effects. The flashback scenes, characterized by a deliberate grain structure, achieve a more textured, gritty look. However, in certain instances, particularly nighttime shots, the artificial grain presents some chroma noise. Despite this minor flaw, the film's overall brightness and strong contrast levels significantly enhance depth and dimensionality. Highlights include the warm orange/yellow hues that dominate the vintage visual style, with primary colors and flesh tones slightly elevated to fit the nostalgic theme. Moreover, sharpness remains consistent throughout, offering detailed long shots of the amusement park's unique, dirt-laden landscape.

Overall, "Action Point" on Blu-ray proves to be a visual treat. The film's attempts at capturing specific eras through distinct visual styles are mostly successful, with strong technical execution and minimal flaws. The engaging vintage aesthetic, combined with excellent detail and color reproduction, ensures that viewers can immerse themselves in the chaotic charm of the amusement park setting.

Action Point's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack provides a balanced, though somewhat routine audio experience. The soundtrack consistently holds to the front soundstage, with music often exhibiting broad front-end spacing while occasionally adding intensity, such as with a Pop beat in Chapter Seven that briefly expands into the surround channels and engages the low end. Stunt-related crashes offer moderate depth and focal attraction but rarely rise to significant sonic prominence. The film thrives in rendering background ambiance, particularly during scenes set in the park where park-goers' conversations and general activity fill the soundscape, utilizing the 7.1 channel configuration to create a more immersive experience. Dialogue, crucial throughout the film, is clear and flawlessly presented, maintaining dominance without audio glitches.

Where the soundtrack lacks in discrete effects throughout much of the film, it compensates during the finale where the audio mix notably comes alive. The final sequence is vibrant with mayhem and activity engaging every speaker: Go-karts race across channels, a bear's roar resonates through stereos, and children's shouts scatter through all around-speakers. The climax is punctuated by a dynamic fireworks display that effectively utilizes the low-end, ensuring a robust and hearty explosion to end the scene. This energetic burst of sound contrasts sharply with the otherwise front-heavy track, providing a memorable auditory highlight to an otherwise moderate mix.

Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for Action Point is characterized by its competent handling of dialogue and occasional flair in music and ambient sounds. While it might not constantly push the boundaries of surround sound immersion, it delivers moments that effectively utilize the full breadth of the 7.1 configuration, particularly during its engaging climax.

The Blu-ray extras for "Action Point" provide a mix of humorous and insightful content, although brief. The featurettes explore various aspects such as cast dynamics, filming challenges in South Africa, and the 1970s-theme park reconstruction. They delve into practical stunt work, wildlife interactions, and original inspirations from New Jersey's Action Park. Additionally, viewers can enjoy an array of deleted and extended scenes, alongside a vibrant blooper reel. While some may find the short runtime of the featurettes lacking depth, the breadth of behind-the-scenes content is commendable for fans of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Benny and the Sh*tbirds: Exploration of the movie's primary cast and characters.
• Anarchy in the Amusement Park: Insights into the dangerous park’s construction and 70s aesthetic.
• Old School, Bone Crunching Stunts: A look at the film's raw, painful stunts.
• Drinking Beer with Grizzly Bears: Exploration of cast's work with wildlife.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Nine scenes extending and deleting content from the film.
• Bloopers: A two-minute collection of outtakes.

"Action Point" showcases Jonny Knoxville in a dual role, both as his daring self and his older, worn-out counterpart. Fans of Knoxville will appreciate his traditional style of fearless stunts and reckless humor. While the film does incorporate some dangerous stunts involving animals, water slides, and catapults, it doesn't push the envelope as much as expected. Instead, it tries to weave these stunts into a relatively mundane narrative that revolves around the personal and financial struggles of Knoxville's character, D.C. Carver. The story attempts to humanize Carver by showing his vulnerabilities, particularly in his relationship with his daughter, but ultimately these efforts fall flat and feel somewhat contrived.

The film is set against the backdrop of a notoriously dangerous amusement park, reminiscent of New Jersey’s infamous Action Park from the 1980s. In an effort to combat plummeting attendance and stave off opportunistic investors, Carver removes what little safety measures existed, leading to several chaotic and amusing sequences. However, this haphazard reconstruction of a lawless theme park doesn't quite capture the raw energy and danger associated with Knoxville's earlier works. The plot, revolving around a park in financial peril and an estranged father trying to reconnect with his daughter while battling legal troubles, feels like a rehash of familiar themes seen in countless other films.

Despite the throwback charm to rowdy nostalgic movies like "Meatballs" and a faint attempt at introspection concerning Knoxville's career and parental failings, "Action Point" often feels disjointed. The stunts, although entertaining, are interspersed with a thin story that often seems aimless, oscillating between old-age reflections and present-day foolishness. While sentimentality is sprinkled throughout, primarily highlighted by Knoxville’s interaction with his granddaughter and his disdain for modern "PC culture," it undermines the carefree spirit that "Action Point" ostensibly seeks to celebrate. As such, viewers looking for depth should manage their expectations; those simply seeking laughs from bodily harm won't be disappointed.

"Action Point" takes a unique angle compared to Johnny Knoxville's previous works, opting for a blend of narrative storytelling and his signature brand of stunts. The film exhibits a more mature direction, interweaving a loose plot with daring antics at its eponymous, dangerously under-maintained amusement park. While the narrative offers a cohesive progression and some character development, it somewhat tempers the relentless pace fans might expect from Knoxville’s familiar, gag-a-minute formula. Nevertheless, the cast's visible enjoyment of risky engagement with the park's hazardous attractions adds an authentic charm.

In terms of technical merits, Paramount’s Blu-ray release of "Action Point" presents a high-quality visual and audio experience. The video transfer is top-notch, delivering clear and vibrant imagery that captures the film's chaotic yet charming aesthetic. The 7.1 lossless audio track, though not groundbreaking, is technically robust, ensuring that all the environmental sound effects and dialogues are delivered crisply. Additionally, the Blu-ray includes several bonus features offering behind-the-scenes insights, which may hold appeal for dedicated fans.

In conclusion, while "Action Point" does not deliver the constant thrills of Knoxville's earlier films, its attempt at integrating more story-driven elements provides a fresh twist. The film is entertaining and worth watching, although it may not boast significant replay value compared to Knoxville’s more frenetically paced projects. Paramount’s Blu-ray release complements the film with its superior technical specifications and added content, making it a solid choice for fans and newcomers alike.