Ultimate Force Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Ultimate Force" on Blu-ray utilizes a 1080i resolution with the MPEG-2 format, resulting in one of the least impressive transfers to date. The presentation often suggests an upconverted experience from a standard definition source, lacking the clarity typical of high-definition media. Notably, the opening title sequence displays blurry lettering, which is usually more distinct in quality transfers. Black levels are subpar, with shadow details being nearly non-existent, leading to scenes where crucial elements blend into murky darkness. For instance, during the first action scene where Rey escapes government agents, the poor contrast causes his leather jacket to disappear into the background.

BCI made an ambitious attempt with this early high-def release, but several factors hinder its broadcast quality. Besides the inherent flaws of the source material—characterized by significant grain and noise—the presence of dirt and minor blemishes further degrades the image integrity. While black levels occasionally appear solid, they often suffer from blooming, and the enhanced color palette introduces a certain fuzziness without outright bleeding. Daytime scenes offer marginal improvement, albeit washed out by heavy filtering. Medium and wide shots lack sharpness and depth, with only slight improvements in close-ups that still fall short of standard HD expectations. Furthermore, the encode struggles under these conditions, visible through noise and posterization during transitions.

Overall, "Ultimate Force" on Blu-ray presents numerous visual challenges, falling below industry standards for HD quality. The initial high hopes for a stellar visual display are marred by a weak source and lackluster execution in converting it to Blu-ray.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Ultimate Force" is notably subpar, featuring only an English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track at 192kbps. An action film inherently benefits from an immersive audio experience, yet this track disappoints by lacking any surround sound presence, which significantly diminishes the overall impact. The stereo separation is weak, with action effects often becoming indistinct and blending into a noisy amalgamation. Gunfire and other effects lack the necessary distinction, leading to a flat soundstage devoid of the dynamic range essential for an engaging auditory experience.

Dialogue clarity is another pressing issue, frequently marred by low tones that sound muffled even when the volume is increased. This is coupled with a bland score that fails to inject any vitality into the audio mix. Moreover, certain audio effects recur monotonously, particularly during fight sequences, where repetitive and artificial-sounding cracks and pops pull the listener out of the moment. Anomalies such as a high-pitched ringing around the 65-minute mark further detract from any semblance of audio fidelity. Overall, this audio track feels outdated and budget-constrained, akin to a production from several decades past.

In summary, the Blu-ray’s reliance on a dated Dolby Digital 2.0 track leaves much to be desired, particularly given the expectations for modern action films. The audio is flat, lifeless, and at times even frustrating, making for an underwhelming experience that fails to complement the visual elements or enrich the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray of "Ultimate Force" includes a modest set of extras, all presented in standard definition (480p) with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio. The highlights are brief and range from insightful to mildly entertaining. The interview with Mirko Cro Cop covers his background and some production details, while the training session gives viewers a glimpse into his workout regime, though lacking in real sparring action. The making-of featurette is marred by poor camera work but provides some behind-the-scenes context through cast interviews. Although all extras are carried over from the standard DVD edition, they predominantly serve promotional purposes and add limited value to the overall viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview with Mirko Cro Cop: A discussion of Croatia, weapons training, and movie trivia.
• Training Session with Mirko Cro Cop: A look inside Cro Cop’s gym and training routine.
• Making of Ultimate Force: Behind-the-scenes segment with cast interviews.
• Theatrical Trailer: The film's original, cheesy trailer.

"Ultimate Force," starring former kickboxing champion and MMA fighter Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic, represents a glaring misfire in the action genre. With a plot that is both convoluted and derivative, the film struggles to maintain coherence or engage its audience effectively. Filipovic plays Axon Rey, an elite assassin for a covert government organization known as S.I.N. Following a failed mission, Rey is subjected to a brutal re-education program on a secluded island where he must fight five operatives in hand-to-hand combat. Although this narrative premise has potential, the execution is severely lacking.

The film attempts to blend elements of espionage and martial arts but falters due to poor direction and subpar production values reminiscent of low-budget made-for-TV movies. Director Mark Burson's inability to manage basic screen direction results in a jumbled mess of fast-cut inserts that make it difficult for viewers to follow the action sequences. This problem is exacerbated by Filipovic's apparent disinterest in his role, sleepwalking through many scenes devoid of compelling dialogue or dramatic tension. Though the film's few combat sequences provide fleeting moments of engagement, they are overshadowed by poorly choreographed gun battles that fail to capitalize on Filipovic's martial arts prowess.

Ultimately, "Ultimate Force" falls short not just in storytelling but in technical execution, making it an odd choice for BCI's first Blu-ray release. The film's visual and narrative shortcomings do little to showcase high-definition capabilities or offer any form of entertainment value. Despite aspiring to mimic more successful action franchises, the film’s construction is shockingly incompetent, making it an unequivocal disappointment for both action movie enthusiasts and MMA fans alike.

The Blu-ray release of "Ultimate Force" evokes mixed responses, predominantly negative, reminiscent of the overblown action films of Schwarzenegger and Stallone, but without their charm or innovation. Predominantly seen as an uninspired rip-off, the film fails to deliver on multiple fronts, from weak scripting to unimpressive performances. The inclusion of notable figures like Cro Cop is one of the few elements that might draw some viewers, although it does little to elevate the overall viewing experience.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray release struggles with limitations inherent in its source material. The video quality is underwhelming, with notable deficiencies in clarity and color balance that detract from potential enjoyment. Audio performance does not fare much better, offering a flat soundscape devoid of dynamic range or immersive qualities. The supplementary features provided are rudimentary and add minimal value, serving only as filler rather than enhancing the primary content.

If you couldn’t tell by now, I would recommend you steer clear of this film. I know some of you may be tempted to give it a shot simply due to Cro Cop's role in the film, but I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed this film on any level. There are just too many good films out on Blu-ray to waste your time renting or buying a film that's this bad. "Ultimate Force" is another generic rip-off of the action flick glory days of Schwarzenegger and Stallone, only coming about twenty years too late. That might have given the film a certain camp appeal, but even in that regard I found it unwatchable. This debut Blu-ray release from BCI is probably what you would expect for a flick like this. The video and audio are limited by the source material, while the extras are all surface. If you happen to be interested in this title, the relatively cheap $19.95 list price is just about all it has going for it.