Victor (Greg Bryk) is one piece of work: a millionaire playboy with a taste for torture and absolutely no regard for anyone but himself. Who wouldn’t want this guy dead? His wife Elizabeth (Kristy Swanson, emerging from the where-are-they-now file) and his lawyer Roman (Josh Peace) are having an affair and plan to knock him off. They poison him, but it turns out the drug only creates a death-like stasis. He is still fully conscious, even as he’s about to be dissected. Understandably, when he regains mobility, his disposition has in no way been improved.
The film is at its strongest during Victor’s pseudo-death, as it gives free reign to black humour, and the initially ho-hum lovers-kill-evil-husband plot ventures into fresher territory. The dialogue becomes quite witty at this stage as well. The first and third acts are rather more conventional DTV fare, though the gore level is surprisingly, and pleasingly, high. When all is said and done, this flick isn’t going to rock anybody’s world, but it is brisk, efficient and bloody enough that one won’t complain about the lost 85 minutes either. Call it rental fodder that actually delivers what it promises.
Audio
Hello? Hello? What did you say? SPEAK UP! The audio track’s volume is extremely low, and every time Victor gets menacing, he drops his voice still further, threatening total inaudibility. The music has a decent surround mix, if rather rear-heavy, but very little else shows up in the rear speakers. In sum, this is a release where you have to consider yourself satisfied with basic clarity. There is, at least, no distortion.
Video
The colours are solid enough, as are the contrasts. The blacks aren’t always perfect, but they get the job done. Grain isn’t a problem, nor is edge enhancement, and the image stays sharp throughout. The blood and guts, in particular, looks great. Not an exceptional transfer, but a solid one, and better than the sound.
Special Features
Not too much here. There’s a decent making-of featurette, and the film’s trailer is joined by five others. That’s it.
Closing Thoughts
Nothing special all around, but I’ve definitely seen worse lately.
