Quick Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory's Blu-ray release of Cho Beom-gu's "Quick" presents the film in a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The transfer is generally impressive, particularly in its bright and sharp portrayal of the fast-paced and vibrant action sequences. The film boasts tremendous depth and impeccable contrast, complemented by stable brightness levels and virtually flawless color reproduction. The hues span a wide range of lush reds, blues, yellows, greens, browns, and deep blacks that maintain a natural appearance without appearing overboosted. While sharpness levels are solid overall, there are minor fluctuations during certain CGI-laden scenes. The image remains free from serious banding, aliasing, or edge flicker issues, ensuring a clean and stable viewing experience.

However, the film’s heavily stylized aesthetic comes with some caveats. While the initial sequences, such as the nighttime motorcycle chase, exhibit striking clarity and a high-definition sheen, the overall visual approach results in a somewhat harsh and blown-out look during other scenes. The movie favors teals and oranges, which may be polarizing for viewers; some might appreciate this stylization while others could find it unappealing. This high-contrast and limited color palette occasionally obscures finer details and imparts an overly smooth, digital quality to the motion. While the transfer achieves a commendable level of sharpness and clarity, it may fail to truly wow viewers who prefer a more naturalistic presentation. In summary, "Quick" offers a vivid and engaging visual experience on Blu-ray but falls short on delivering consistent appeal across its stylized aesthetic choices.

The Blu-ray of "Quick" offers a diverse selection of audio tracks, including Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Korean Dolby Digital 5.1, Korean Dolby Digital 2.0, and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The availability of optional English subtitles ensures an inclusive viewing experience, fitting neatly within the image frame. The immediate impact is noticeable with the Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which delivers an assertive sonic experience throughout the movie’s intense action sequences, particularly the Matrix-style highway melee. This aggressive mix tests home audio systems with robust bass and clear, distortion-free dialogue, facilitating an immersive experience.

Despite its impressive attributes, the mix is slightly inconsistent. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is mixed louder than average Blu-ray discs and, while enveloping, it sometimes lacks finesse. Action scenes are undeniably dynamic and aggressive, with natural imaging and smooth directional transitions enhancing viewer engagement during high-octane moments—crashing cars and exploding bombs resonate powerfully. However, outside these action-packed sequences, the mix falters, presenting a somewhat limited and sparse ambient soundscape. Moreover, the clean dialogue presentation exposes the actors' screaming as rather grating over time.

In summary, while the audio presentation for "Quick" is excellent during action scenes with commendable use of surround sound and bass, it falls short in crafting a consistently immersive auditory environment throughout the film. The track’s loudness and dynamic capability during explosions certainly cater to bass enthusiasts but one might find the overall sound design somewhat lacking in refinement during quieter scenes. Nonetheless, it remains an engagingly exciting audio experience well-suited to the film's fast-paced nature.

The Blu-ray extras for "Quick" provide a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience, featuring interviews, making-of documentaries, and visual effect explanations, all presented in upscaled 1080i with Korean Dolby Digital 2.0 sound and hardcoded English subtitles. The Action featurette offers an engaging look at the elaborate stunt sequences, while the CGI segment dissects the challenging visual effects, such as the intricate highway chase. The Making of documentary, albeit repetitive at times, showcases extensive shooting footage and cast and crew insights. Additionally, fans will appreciate the brief but interesting glimpses into the poster photo sessions and the original Korean trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original Korean trailer with English subtitles.
• Poster: Brief look at photo sessions for the film's poster.
• Action: Stunt doubles discuss dangerous sequences with behind-the-scenes footage.
• CGI: Overview of the CGI effects by director Han Yung-woo with raw footage.
• Making of: Extended making-of featurette with shooting footage and interviews.

Shout Factory's Blu-ray release of the Korean action-comedy Quick presents a film synonymous with relentless speed and explosive intensity. Directed by Cho Beom-gu, the film introduces us to Gi-su (Lee Min-ki), a former motorcycle thug turned courier, who finds himself embroiled in a life-threatening dilemma when his ex-girlfriend, Ah-rom (Kang Ye-won), dons a helmet rigged with a bomb. This setup propels them into a high-stakes game where they must deliver packages under the threat of imminent explosion, all while evading police and uncovering the real bomber's identity. The plot, although straightforward, serves as a scaffold for the brilliantly orchestrated action sequences which comprise largely practical effects and showcase overwhelming crashes and rollovers—highlights demonstrated in the raw footage available in the Blu-ray’s supplemental features.

Despite commendable stunt work and practical effects, Quick struggles with narrative depth and character development. The storyline, punctuated with clichés and convoluted through unnecessary flashbacks, lacks cohesion and character originality. At times, it feels like a pastiche of better-known action films like Speed or Transporter 3, without carving out its unique identity. While the humor is self-aware and occasionally effective, it often succumbs to a sense of over-exertion with comedic elements like overly dramatic moments punctuated by jokes or a motorcycle helmet rigged with amusing visual gags.

Visually, Quick is replete with split screens, multiple-angle shots, and frenetic zooms that can sometimes overwhelm but generally maintain a consistent tempo. The combination of these elements ensures that big screen explosions and fast-paced chases are central to the viewing experience. However, for action aficionados, even the best-executed scenes struggle to compensate for a redundant plot and unremarkable characters, rendering the film an exhilarating yet forgettable ride.

"Quick" is a dynamic and visually stimulating Korean action film that delivers a decent balance of adrenaline and humor. Though the plot is predictable and straightforward, it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. The film offers a plethora of high-octane stunts which are both impressive and perilous, making it an engaging spectacle for action aficionados. The technical presentation of the Blu-ray is commendable; with a high level of clarity in the video transfer and a robust, albeit somewhat lacking in finesse, audio mix that enhances the viewing experience.

The stylized, digital look of the film can be polarizing—some viewers may appreciate its modern, flashy aesthetic, while others might find it excessively harsh. However, the supplemental features on the Blu-ray are a highlight, providing a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes stunt work and visual effects that are integral to the film's appeal. These extras enrich the viewing experience, giving fans more than just the main feature to enjoy.

In conclusion, "Quick" is a fast-paced and entertaining ride that capitalizes on its stunt work and visual flair. While it may not offer the most nuanced storyline or sophisticated audio mix, its sheer energy and spectacle are undeniable. This Blu-ray is recommended for those looking for an exhilarating, albeit straightforward, action film experience.