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Vigilante (A)
R2 - United Kingdom - Signature Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Rick Curzon (14th July 2019). |
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The Film
 Olivia Wilde gives a defining and captivating performance in what critics are hailing the most important film of the year. A once abused woman, Sadie (Olivia Wilde: Life Itself), devotes herself to ridding victims of their domestic abusers while hunting down the husband she must kill to truly be free. Co-starring CJ Wilson (The Sinner) and Morgan Spector (Homeland) this is a compelling, gritty and highly enthralling revenge thriller with a powerful message.
Video
An interesting feminist spin on Death Wish (1974, 2018) gets the big standard DVD treatment from UK label Signature Entertainment. The standard definition image isn't going to be a poster boy for the format as it's a soft looking, modern, digitally lensed production. These things always look better with the higher contrast ratio of HD (or higher) and can get slightly muddy on DVD. This is the case here. Colours are acceptable; the film has a warmish palette and looks bright and sparky in exterior daylight scenes. Interiors can get muddy with the odd mild artefact rearing it's head in dark shadows. Detail is acceptable and blacks remain rich with only the odd sign of crush. It is what it is: a single layered, standard definition transfer of a modern film. Good for the format if unremarkable. PALL / 1.85:1 / 87:15
Audio
English Dolby Digital 5.1 English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: None Solid, lossy Dolby Digital track typically of a modern film in that it's active, especially when action scenes are taking place. Surround activity is good and occasionally I detected some LFE action in the subwoofer. This isn't a cheesy, bombastic Death Wish clone so don't expect fireworks. It does it's job but obviously greater depth and range would be in a lossless version. No subtitles which is disappointing.
Extras
Startup Trailers: - The Arctic (2:13) - Siberia (1:52) Sadly, as is usual for Signature, nothing to speak of.
Packaging
A standard DVD keepcase.
Overall
Decent, bog standard standard definition edition of this interesting if not always successful feminist revenge thriller. Picture and sound are as to be expected for the format and the single layered disc used here. The bitrate is adequate but the darker visual nature of the film could've used the dual layered oomph. A decent day one purchase for those inclined.
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