The Big Hit Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray edition of "The Big Hit" features an MPEG-2 encoded 1080p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, delivering a fairly competent high-definition presentation for an older catalog release. The slick and colorful visuals are bright and vibrant, enhancing the film's entertainment value. Grain is present, although not intrusive except for a few moments of noticeable spiking. The transfer exhibits some minor imperfections including speckles, debris, and an occasional vertical line. Detail levels are notably high, evident in the textured nuances of paved roads and fine lines on leather seating. There are sporadic instances of shimmering, though these minor anomalies do not significantly detract from the overall visual experience. Black levels and flesh tones are adequately handled, maintaining a reasonable balance throughout the film.

While the presentation does not rise to the level of top-tier Blu-ray releases, it achieves a satisfactory middle ground. The source material shows decent but not pristine condition, with occasional dirt splotches visible. Colors, although well-saturated and stable, lack that vividness normally associated with higher quality transfers. There is also a tendency for flesh tones to lean towards red. Detail levels, while appreciable, fall short of providing the depth and dimension expected of high-definition content. The contrast appears a bit harsh, with an overly steep fall-off to black, lending the transfer a somewhat dark and flat appearance. Despite these shortcomings, there are moments where the visuals can look quite good, ensuring that "The Big Hit," while average by HD standards, provides a reasonably satisfying viewing experience for its price point.

The Blu-ray release of "The Big Hit" offers a mixed yet intriguing presentation in its PCM 5.1 uncompressed soundtrack. On one hand, the audio track exhibits an aggressive volume, especially during action scenes, which effectively engrosses the listener into the vibrant soundscape. The back channels are aptly utilized, bringing life to the hectic moments with precise placement of effects such as gunfire, shattering glass, and crashing objects. The robust bass adds a noteworthy level of depth, enhancing the immersive experience. Ambient sounds like rustling leaves and passing automobiles contribute to a realistic atmosphere, although they occasionally compete with dialogue, making it sometimes challenging to discern spoken words amidst the cacophony.

Conversely, the soundtrack suffers from certain limitations that betray its late 1990s production origins. Despite Sony’s effort to deliver a fine uncompressed PCM 5.1 surround track, nuances such as dynamic range and overall fullness seem compromised by the film's dated and uninspired sound design. The audio lacks a truly captivating low-end and high frequencies tend to sound cheap and flattened. Some peculiar anomalies are noticeable, including abrupt volume drops at the end of dialogue lines, which distract from the immersion. Surround usage is predominantly confined to action elements, leading to a soundscape that feels underwhelmingly activated and flat. Overall, while "The Big Hit" offers an active and engaging experience during intense sequences, it ultimately reveals its age through a less than stellar audio rendering and uninspired use of the surround channels.

The Big Hit" Blu-ray includes limited but notable extras. Among the features are two distinct commentary tracks. The first, with Director Kirk Wong and Executive Producer Terence Chang, offers insights into the film’s production challenges, script development, and blending artistic and commercial goals. While this track provides some fascinating tidbits, it occasionally lacks engagement. The second commentary by Screenwriter Ben Ramsey is more dynamic, addressing the evolution of the screenplay, scene restructuring, and the film's unique stylistic approach. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray version omits deleted scenes from the original DVD, though their absence is negligible given their unremarkable nature. Additionally, viewers will find trailers for other Sony releases, although a trailer for "The Big Hit" itself is not included.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Kirk Wong and Terence Chang: Discusses production, script development, and set challenges.
• Commentary by Ben Ramsey: Covers script evolution, scene restructuring, and stylistic approach.
• Trailers: Includes trailers for "Underworld: Evolution," "Ultraviolet," and "xXx.

"The Big Hit," despite being laden with high-octane action and comedy, struggles to find a coherent identity. Helmed by director Che-Kirk Wong, the film ambitiously attempts to blend over-the-top action sequences with absurd comedic elements. Mark Wahlberg stars as Melvin Smiley, a hitman caught in a whirlwind of chaotic professional and personal entanglements. However, the film's excessive attempts at stylistic diversity end up rendering it both derivative and convoluted. The action, while occasionally impressive, is weighed down by a barrage of cringe-worthy subplots and dialogue that aims for cleverness but often lands with a dull thud.

The narrative is propelled by a botched kidnapping involving Melvin and his team of hitmen—a plot riddled with clichéd twists and unexciting character arcs. Wahlberg's portrayal of Smiley is competent, showing glimpses of the actor's potential, but he is burdened with a script that leans heavily on underwhelming Tarantino-esque quirks and Hong Kong-inspired camera work that ultimately feels forced. While Avery Brooks delivers a memorable performance as the mob boss Paris with commendable liveliness, other actors, including Lou Diamond Phillips and China Chow, are left floundering in poorly written roles that do little to elevate the film.

"The Big Hit" remains a curious relic of the post-'Pulp Fiction' era, where many films mistook mimicry for originality. Despite its frenetic pace and visual flair, it rarely manages to engage meaningfully beyond surface-level gratification. For audiences seeking mindless entertainment with flashy action scenes, it might suffice. However, those looking for a film with deeper thematic resonance or innovative storytelling will likely find "The Big Hit" to be an underwhelming misfire.

"The Big Hit" on Blu-ray offers a mixed viewing experience for fans of action-comedy films. This late '90s film attempts to merge various styles, resulting in a blend that occasionally entertains but often misses its mark. The story's potential is undermined by its lack of subtlety, rendering the humor and action less impactful than intended. Despite these shortcomings, the film does deliver a few genuinely fun sequences and can work as a mid-level genre movie. It's certainly an improvement over typical direct-to-video offerings, but not in the same league as the best in its genre.

Technically, the Blu-ray release is competent, albeit showing signs of its age. The MPEG-2 1080p transfer, while decent, does not match modern high-definition standards. Colors are somewhat muted, and there's a lack of sharp detail compared to newer releases. The PCM soundtrack is robust but also feels slightly dated. Additional content includes two audio commentary tracks, which add some value but aren’t particularly notable.

In conclusion, "The Big Hit" makes for a passable time-killing action movie. It's a decent entry in its genre that outshines many direct-to-video outings but falls short of being a standout film. It’s too direct and goofy to fully realize its potential, although it remains fairly entertaining. Sony's Blu-ray release, with its MPEG-2 1080p transfer and PCM soundtrack, provides an adequate viewing experience, especially considering the film's early release history on this format. Therefore, it serves as a reasonable weekend rental for those looking to revisit late '90s action-comedy hybrids.