Steele Justice Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded 1.85:1 1080p transfer of "Steele Justice" exhibits a commendable leap to HD, delivering a solid Blu-ray presentation. Film grain is visible and remains free from noise reduction or smoothing, preserving the film's original cinematic texture. Details are adequately portrayed, especially in close-ups which capture sweaty faces and muscular details with precision, while wide shots may occasionally blur background scenery. Despite the film's modest cinematography, textures are present where allowed, and locations are easily discerned.

Colors are notably vibrant, with an 80s palette that highlights bold costuming and greenery without distorting natural skin tones. Primaries stand out while maintaining a pleasant balance. Black levels are stable, avoiding any contrast boosting that could otherwise affect depth perception. Additionally, the print demonstrates relative cleanliness with only minor speckling and negligible scratches, ensuring no major damage intrudes upon the visual experience. Overall, this transfer ensures an engaging and visually satisfying viewing experience.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio mix of "Steele Justice" is characterized by distinct but sharp sound extremes, often reflecting the lower budget through occasional distortion. Dialogues are largely comprehensible, though they suffer from a noticeable thinness that can sharpen emotional intensity unpleasantly at times. The synth-based score fulfills its purpose but lacks depth, and the atmospherics and sound effects feel blunt and uninspired, contributing more to a background noise level rather than enhancing the viewing experience. A persistent hiss permeates the track, along with sporadic pops.

For those seeking a powerful, bass-heavy 80s action soundtrack, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix may be somewhat disappointing due to its notable lack of finesse. While dialogue remains clear, it often sounds lifeless and occasionally dubbed in post-production. Gunfire and explosions have their moments but generally come across as tinny and canned. Age-related anomalies, such as hissing during quieter scenes and occasional pops, are present but do not significantly detract from the overall listening experience. Fans won't miss any significant dialogue, but these imperfections are undeniably noticeable.

The Blu-ray extras for "Steele Justice" present a robust and engaging selection. The included theatrical trailer in SD format provides a nostalgic glimpse into the film’s original marketing. Additionally, there is a series of HD trailers for related action films, enriching the viewing experience with promotional material that complements the main feature seamlessly. These trailers preview other notable works in the action genre, effectively highlighting the era’s high-octane filmmaking style. Furthermore, the inclusion of HD trailers serves as a testament to the careful curation of supplementary content, aiming to satisfy both fans and collectors. The content balances out the package, making it not only a penchant for nostalgic retrospectives but also a collector’s delight.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer in Standard Definition.
• Hero and the Terror Trailer: High-definition preview.
• Avenging Force Trailer: High-definition preview.
• Assassination Trailer: High-definition preview.

"Steele Justice" on Blu-ray resurrects an epitome of 80s action cinema headlined by Martin Kove. Known for his memorable role in "The Karate Kid," Kove takes center stage here as John Steele, a Vietnam War veteran turned vigilante. The film embraces its B-movie flair with unapologetic enthusiasm, weaving through a tapestry of cliches and eccentricities that define the genre. Kove's portrayal is earnest, delivering a performance loaded with grit and determination, despite the movie's outlandish plot. Director Robert Boris crafts scenes rife with chaos and testosterone, making them a guilty pleasure for action aficionados. Kwan’s villainy, portrayed by Soon-Tek Oh, is distinctly malicious, providing a robust if cartoonish antagonist.

Opening amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War, "Steele Justice" immediately showcases its budget constraints through scenes that mimic a Los Angeles backyard rather than an authentic war zone. The narrative quickly escalates from war betrayal to modern-day street justice. Steele, struggling as an ineffectual Bureau of Wild Horses employee, metamorphoses into a relentless one-man army when tragedy strikes close to home. Action sequences are abundant, featuring jail cell brawls, high-speed chases, and explosive confrontations that thrillingly punctuate the storyline. The film joyfully embraces absurdity, including scenes where Steele cauterizes a knife wound with a buffet pan or sports his pet snake as a deterrent tool.

Overall, "Steele Justice" is a ridiculous yet entertaining slice of 80s action cheese. It borrows heavily from contemporaneous tough-guy flicks while injecting its unique flair. Despite the narrative and technical flaws, the film's high-octane sequences and nostalgic charm keep it engaging. For aficionados of the genre, this Blu-ray offering from Kino Lorber promises an enjoyable nostalgia trip imbued with camaraderie, abounding cliches, and over-the-top violence.

"Steele Justice" offers a quirky, quintessentially 80s action experience that serves up a generous helping of nostalgia for fans of the genre. Martin Kove leads the film with a committed performance, delivering convincingly as a man on a mission. The movie overflows with typical 80s action tropes, from exaggerated firefights to flamboyant wardrobe choices. Despite its bizarre character portrayals and somewhat disjointed subplots, such as Shannon Tweed appearing halfway through in swimsuits that underline her casting motivation, "Steele Justice" persistently entertains.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release does justice to the film's visual aesthetic with a commendable image transfer that captures the vibrant, over-the-top feel of the original. However, the audio mix falls short, with noticeable issues that detract from an otherwise decent presentation. Special features are sparse, consisting primarily of trailers for other 80s action films, which may interest genre enthusiasts but offer little in terms of deep dive content.

In conclusion, "Steele Justice" is far from a critical darling; it's an assembly of unintentionally humorous and exaggerated action sequences with an earnest lead performance. It may not be technically refined or coherent in its narrative structure, but it embodies the spirit of 80s action cinema—fun, unpretentious, and unapologetically goofy. For viewers seeking a nostalgic trip or simply some light-hearted entertainment, this Blu-ray makes for an enjoyable addition to any action enthusiast's collection.