Death Race: Inferno Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Death Race: Inferno" on Blu-ray is a complex amalgamation of gritty and glossy aesthetics that successfully encapsulates the film's thematic elements. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer showcases a predominately sepia-toned palette, punctuated by vivid splashes of primary colors, particularly reds and warm golden accents. The high-contrast visuals contribute to an atmosphere that feels both harsh and compelling, achieving an intriguing grindhouse appearance. The rich blacks and punchy whites provide excellent contrast and detail, especially in brightly lit sequences, resulting in images with appreciable dimension and texture.

Shadow delineation is another strong point, with discernible details visible even in darker scenes. However, some color schemes, particularly in desert scenes, come across as occasionally muted or lifeless, except for yellows and reds that stand out vibrantly. While minor shimmering and brief bursts of artifacting are present, likely due to the capture techniques used during high-intensity scenes, these do not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience. The impeccable detailing allows viewers to see imperfections on actors and objects clearly, emphasizing the film's raw and rugged atmosphere. Despite the dirtier editing effects aimed at achieving a worn-down visual style, the Blu-ray transfer holds up well overall, presenting a visually satisfying experience.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack featured in "Death Race: Inferno" is impressively aggressive, showcasing an active surround mix with extended dynamic range that effectively conveys the high-energy nature of the film's elements. Action sequences transform the listening environment into a three-dimensional sound field filled with immersive surround activity that harmonizes seamlessly with on-screen events. Low-frequency effects deliver a deep, room-pressurizing bass that reverberates with tactile authority. Dialogue is precisely reproduced, maintaining clear and lucid expression, albeit with a hint of sibilance in the upper registers. The audio design is both involving and dynamically rewarding, marked by high-level sonic detail, superb directional correlation, and rhythmically charged bass extension.

However, while the sound design ranks high on ferocity and raw aggression, it lacks certain finesse, indicating a preference for brute force over nuanced auditory craftsmanship. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track doesn’t fall short in delivering clarity and intelligibility of dialogue, even against the backdrop of intense fireballs, rending metal, and roaring engines that fill every channel. The rear speakers aggressively engage the listener with neck-snapping directional effects, while LFE output serves powerful, punchy sounds — from floor-shaking explosions to throaty engine roars. The overall experience may prompt frequent volume adjustments due to its relentless intensity.

In essence, the disc’s lossless DTS-HD 5.1 audio mix offers an exceptionally intense workout for any sound system. The audio is so potent that it could potentially dislodge framed art from walls and compel speakers to their operational limits. Dialogue remains crystal clear and is integrated into the surround mix, making use of all channels to envelop the listener fully. This results in a thunderous audio explosion, where each element — from ambient noises to sound effects — seems amplified to maximum impact throughout the film's duration. The walls tremble under the powerful bass punches, making this mix a robust and immersive auditory experience.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "Death Race: Inferno" provide a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience for fans of the film. Director Roel Reine offers a vibrant and informative commentary, detailing the making of his second Death Race sequel. The collection of deleted scenes and alternate opening provide additional context to scenes that were ultimately cut from the final version. The making-of featurette delivers an insightful glance into the production process, supported by on-location footage and interviews. Complementary segments like "Racing for Death" and "Art Imitating Life: Goldberg" provide focused looks at specific aspects of production and character development. The inclusion of various digital copies and interactive features, such as BD-Live and D-Box Motion Code, further enhance the overall package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Opening: 5-minute extension of the movie's beginning.
• Deleted Scenes: Nine extra scenes with minor impact on the story.
• Deleted Shots Montage: Unused material set to music.
• The Making of Death Race 3: Inferno: 10-minute behind-the-scenes featurette.
• Racing for Death: 6-minute focus on race scenes.
• Art Imitating Life: Goldberg: 5-minute featurette on Danny Trejo’s character.
• Feature Commentary with Director Roel Reine: Insightful track by the director.
• My Scenes Bookmark Feature: Customizable scene bookmarks.
• D-Box Motion Code Enabled: Interactive motion feature.
• BD-Live: Online content access.
• Bonus DVD
• Digital Copy
• Ultraviolet Digital Copy

In "Death Race: Inferno," convict Carl Lucas, now known as Frankenstein (played by Luke Goss), is only one race away from earning his freedom in the brutal Death Race circuit. Set in the harsh Kalahari Desert of South Africa, Lucas faces not only vicious rivals but also manipulative corporate overseers determined to sabotage his chances. While the premise promises high-octane vehicular combat reminiscent of a live-action "Twisted Metal," the execution falls short. The film's narrative fails to deliver the payoff expected from the franchise's earlier entries, bogged down by a tedious and overly serious approach that strips away much of its inherent "big dumb fun" allure.

Action sequences, a hallmark of the series, suffer from poor execution and disorienting editing. Rapid cuts and jerky camera movements make it challenging to follow the carnage on screen, resulting in a viewing experience that's more frustrating than thrilling. Despite having charismatic actors such as Danny Trejo and Ving Rhames, who deliver passable performances with the material provided, the overall flow and cohesion of the film suffer significantly. Supporting characters, particularly Tanit Phoenix’s navigator Katrina, feel underdeveloped and serve more as eye candy than integral components of the story.

Director Roel Reine's attempt to infuse the Death Race series with gravitas misses the mark, turning what could have been an exhilarating ride into a plodding, humorless affair. The expected vehicular mayhem is delayed until well into the movie, only to be overshadowed by poorly staged action scenes that fail to capture the frenetic energy fans anticipate. Ultimately, "Death Race: Inferno" struggles under its own weight, unable to maintain the entertainingly chaotic spirit of its predecessors, leaving both new audiences and franchise devotees disappointed.

"Death Race: Inferno" aims to carry forward the adrenaline-pumping legacy of its predecessors but ultimately falls short on various fronts. While the film attempts to capture the high-octane excitement that characterized the earlier entries, it often takes itself too seriously and fails to deliver on big, dumb fun. The script lacks originality, the characters are forgettable, and the pacing is marred by subpar directing and editing. Despite these narrative shortcomings, the Blu-ray release itself boasts commendable technical merits.

Universal's Blu-ray presentation of "Death Race: Inferno" is a mixed bag only because of the movie's inherent issues. On the technical side, the video performance is solid, presenting a clear, sharp image that highlights the stark, gritty environments effectively. Most notably, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is exceptional, offering an immersive audio experience that intensifies the few action sequences the film manages to pull off. The disc also comes with a decent lineup of special features, providing some added value for fans of the franchise.

In conclusion, if you're a die-hard fan of the "Death Race" series, this entry may still be worth exploring, albeit with tempered expectations. Its shortcomings in story and direction are balanced somewhat by its superior audio-visual quality. Given its inconsistencies, a rental is recommended before committing to a purchase.