Blu-ray Review “Mechanic: Resurrection”

Actors: Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones, Michelle Yeoh
Directors: Dennis Gansel
Rated: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: November 22, 2016
Run Time: 105 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Mechanic: Resurrection” is the sequel that no buddy asked for. Hollywood is trying so hard to make Jason Statham a big action star ever since “The Transporter” series but he really never hit is super big. He’s in a lot of big movies but they really don’t make big money. The first “Mechanic” film he stared in was not a huge hit at all, which is why this sequel is a shock. Not a terrible movie, just a brainless action flick with a solid cast including Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones and Michelle Yeoh. Not holding my breath for “Mechanic 3” for sure.

Official Premise: Arthur Bishop (Statham) returns as the Mechanic in the sequel to the 2011 action-thriller. When the deceitful actions of a cunning but beautiful woman (Alba) force him to return to the life he left behind, Bishop’s life is once again in danger as he has to complete an impossible list of assassinations of the most dangerous men in the world.

The Blu-ray presentation is solid on this release. The 1080p transfer would well with the film’s scale which was bigger than I expected. The Blu-ray does score though with the Dolby Atmos audio track which really delivered with the action sequences. In term of special features there are five featurettes that take us behind-the-scenes on the film from the development to the scoring the film to a breakdown of the Malaysian prison break sequence along with in-depth interviews with Michelle Yeoh and Jason Statham.

Blu-ray Review “The Mechanic (1972)”

Starring: Charles Bronson, Jan-Michael Vincent, Keenan Wynn, Jill Ireland
Director: Michael Winner
Distributed by: Twilight Time
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Running Time: 100 minutes

Film: 4 out of stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When I think about Charles Bronson, I think about two things “Death Wish” and “The Mechanic”. If you are thinking about the remake with Jason Statham from 2011, this is the original and much better film. Bronson is such a bad-ass in this film and in general. It has been many years since I viewed this film and it is still as gritty and entertaining as it was the first time I saw it. If you love Bronson, this release is a no-brainer.

Official Premise: Director Michael Winner’s The Mechanic (1972) stars his long-term collaborator, the sui generis Charles Bronson, as a hardened professional hitman who’s feeling the strains of his profession. He joins forces with a ruthless up-and-comer (Jan-Michael Vincent) in a partnership that wavers between sustaining and profoundly dangerous.

This Blu-ray release is an Screen Archives Entertainment Exclusive and is a Limited Edition release with only 3000 copies produced.  I was very impressed with the 1080p transfer on this release. For a film that is over 40 years old, it looks ace and sounds amazing as well. The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono is stunning, especially with one of my favorite scoirres by the legendary Jerry Fielding.

In terms of special features, there is not much here, but what is is still worth checking out. Speaking of how much I love Fielding’s score, there is an Isolated Score Track included on this Blu-ray. There is an  audio commentary track with Cinematographer Richard H. Kline and Film Historian Nick Redman. Lastly there is an Original Theatrical Trailer. If you want this film don’t hold out cause once it sold out, its gone for good!