Operation Red Sea Blu-ray Review

"Operation Red Sea" delivers an impressive visual presentation on Blu-ray, courtesy of Well Go USA, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. This high-definition release benefits from a diverse array of digital cameras capturing footage at resolutions up to 6K, ultimately finished on a 2K Digital Intermediate (DI). The result is a sharp and mostly detailed image. The opening sequences involving the pirate freighter showcase exceptional sharpness, creating an almost tactile visual experience. However, certain darker scenes exhibit mild banding, with some sequences appearing slightly softer due to the mixed camera sources.

The film's color grading varies dramatically by location – Yewaire scenes lean heavily into yellows and sand tones, while the Chinese warship settings favor a more gunmetal blue palette. Overall, colors are well-saturated, bringing out the blues of military uniforms and the vivid reds of blood realistically. Yet, while the black levels are generally deep and inky, banding remains more noticeable during darker moments and can cause a slightly washed-out look. Director Lam's use of handheld and jiggly camera techniques occasionally hampers fine detail levels, especially in action-heavy sequences. Notably, some greenscreen and CGI elements, particularly involving ships on the ocean, lack the fine detail seen in practical shots. Despite these minor issues, close-up shots when the camera is stationary reveal very appealing fine detail levels.

In terms of visual fidelity, "Operation Red Sea" stands as a strong Blu-ray release with minor flaws that do not detract significantly from the overall quality. The transitions between different locations and their respective color palettes are handled adeptly, though certain desert scenes can appear slightly artificial due to an orange hue. Despite intermittent banding – a recurrent issue that proves display-sensitive – this release offers a visually striking experience, making it an excellent example of Well Go USA’s technical prowess in Blu-ray encoding.

Operation Red Sea boasts an audacious DTS:X audio track in the original Mandarin that brims with intensity. The track features deep, guttural bass, transforming each bullet and explosion into visceral experiences that reverberate through the soundstage. Surrounds and overheads are not overlooked; the mix uses discrete sounds and directional ambiance effectively, immersing listeners in the battle scenes. Bullet whizzes, rocket whistling, and helicopter rotor thuds create an immersive experience, while the dynamic range allows for thrilling jump moments. Dialog remains crystal clear amidst the chaos, ensuring that the narrative is never lost.

The DTS:X mix offers hyperbolic yet precise audio delivery, captivating from the opening overhead shot of a Chinese freighter under pirate attack. This sequence showcases clear washes of surround activity with midair placement effects and powerful LFE, providing substantial audio immersion throughout. While the film is predominantly in Mandarin, occasional English dialog is seamlessly integrated. The mix retains high fidelity across all elements, including dialogues, effects, and score, even during the most clamorous battle scenes. Prioritization is keen, underscoring the meticulous attention to detail in this exemplary audio presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "Operation Red Sea" offer a robust array of supplementary content that further immerses the viewer into the film's compelling narrative and production quality. Deleted scenes are provided in crisp 1080p resolution, shedding light on various unaired segments such as military training exercises, intense phone calls, and pivotal moments like those at Yellowcake and Bella's House. The inclusion of multiple trailers—including the teaser, international trailers, and the U.S. trailer—delivers a comprehensive view of the film’s promotional scope. This array of extras is a valuable addition, enhancing the depth and appreciation for the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Includes scenes like Training, Phone Call, Yellowcake, Bracelet, Tank, Bella's House, Kulee Town, and Al Hafed Port.
• Teaser: The initial promotional teaser.
• Trailer A: One of the early full-length trailers.
• Trailer B: Another international version.
• U.S. Trailer: The trailer tailored for the American audience.

Operation Red Sea exhibits director Dante Lam’s aptitude for high-octane action choreography, though it is not without its flaws. While the film boasts stunning action sequences and visceral excitement, it is heavily laden with patriotism for the Chinese military, reflecting a propensity for military propaganda that dominates many mainland Chinese films. The plot, which centers around the Jiaolong commando team’s mission to extract Chinese citizens from a war-torn country and secure stolen yellowcake (uranium), offers a sprawling narrative brimming with explosive set pieces. The film's narrative extends over a hefty 2 hours and 18 minutes, sometimes sacrificing coherence for spectacle.

Character development and emotional depth play second fiddle to Lam’s signature action scenes. The opening, involving a dynamic pirate raid on a cargo ship, quickly establishes the film's tone—relentless and action-packed. Further into the plot, viewers are introduced to a determined journalist, Xia Nan (Hai Qing), whose investigation ties into the central story's quest for yellowcake. This leads to an array of sequences that include inventive hand-to-hand combat and impressive overhead shots of military maneuvers. Despite these strengths, the film's fictional elements, including renaming Yemen to Yewaire, dilute its claim of being based on true events, rendering it more an action adventure fantasy than a quasi-documentarian approach.

Lam’s talents as an action director are undeniable; however, Operation Red Sea suffers from an overblown narrative and issues common in his “Operation” series. For Western audiences, the film’s nationalistic fervor may seem like an overreach, paired with a seemingly propagandist lean that diminishes its universal appeal. Yet, for those seeking relentless action sequences, Operation Red Sea certainly delivers explosions and shootouts with a flair that few contemporary directors can match. It is an exciting but emotionally detached spectacle designed for adrenaline enthusiasts rather than those seeking nuanced storytelling.

Operation Red Sea is a bit long, a bit over bloated on the plot points, but it is still a decently fun action movie. The characters are your typical over the top “ra ra go China!” stereotypes of a mainland Chinese film, but the action is high octane and well done, making up for some of the obvious flaws. Lam’s biggest issue comes in the form of pacing, as he has a difficult time turning Xia into a main character (she goes from damsel in distress to full on commando almost overnight), but once again, these are not insurmountable issues in the film. The biggest thumbs up I can say is that Lam introduces semblances of character development and emotional resonance with the Jiaolong team, something which he had NONE of in Operation Mekong, and it really makes the film a little bit better than it’s predecessor (if only by degrees). The Blu-ray is excellent to look at, and features a demo worthy DTS:X track, but the usual dab of extras is a bit disappointing. Recommended as a decent watch.

According to some online data, Operation Red Sea handily outgrossed a little film called Black Panther for several weeks running in its native country, though I have to wonder how much the film will appeal to non-Chinese audiences who may be relatively immune to its at times jingoistic fervor. Even those who don't care one whit (one way or the other) about the film's politics may get a jolt out of some of the viscerally exciting action elements, however. Technical merits (especially audio) are generally solid, and with caveats noted, Operation Red Sea comes Recommended.