Plot: What’s it about?
When asked to review the film Beyond the Reach, I admit that I wasn’t overly excited. I don’t recall it receiving a wide theatrical release (not that it always matters) and usually if I hear nothing of a film, I can only assume it’s for a good reason. I soon learned that it starred Michael Douglas. That definitely helped. Then I learned of the premise and I was sold. What’s the premise, you might ask? It’s a fairly simple, but good one. Douglas plays Madec, a wealthy financier who is hunting bighorn. Jeremy Irvin is Ben, he is known as one of the best trackers and he’s the one who will guise Madec as he’s hunting. Both of Ben’s parents are dead and his girlfriend just recently left for college. Ben is a bit skeptical of Madec at first, but things seem to be going well enough. The trouble begins when Madec accidentally shoots and kills an elderly man he mistakes for a bighorn. He sends Ben back to get his car to take the man into town. He realizes that this situation won’t help him, and he eventually persuades Ben to go along with him and hide the body and never speak of the murder again. As they’re cleaning up, Madec discovers Ben trying to call for him. It’s here that the situation changes and Madec sends Ben out into the hot dessert with nothing on but his underwear. He’s trying to wear him down and make him die naturally from the heat. Madec doesn’t realize quite how resourceful Ben is and the chase begins.
Admittedly, the film’s first half is much stronger than the second half. The setup is good and the characters well defined where we care enough about both of them. The weakness comes with too much repetition in the later half. There are quite a few tense moments as Madec hunts Ben, but we get far too many of them that the effect is somewhat diminished by the time the end credits roll around. Both Douglas and Irvin do great in their respective parts, but the film did start to lose me after a while. It’s also hard to think that police would take Madec’s word over Ben’s despite of how much money Madec is worth. True, he tries to set up Ben, but all that would take is a simple explanation to sort out. Still, the film had just enough going in its favor to warrant a mild recommendation.
Video: How’s it look?
The 2.40:1 AVC HD image is, as expected, pretty much hard to poke holes in. The more natural color palette used in the desert could be prone to a fairly shotty-looking picture, but it’s handled with the greatest of ease. We all know Michael Douglas isn’t getting any younger, so the detail doesn’t do the man any favors, but that’s not a fault of the image. Lions gate has done a fine, if somewhat expected, job with this. Fans should be pleased, but not surprised, by how good this looks.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The DTS HD Master Audio track is a bit pedestrian at times, but there are a few instances in which the track gets to flex its muscle. Vocals are rich and pure, leaving no room for distortion or anything of the like. Surrounds are prevalent, but not overbearing and offer up a nice, if very subtle, atmospheric response. While the front stage has the most “work” to do, it makes for an above average sound mix. No complaints here.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Audio Commentary – Actor/Producer Michael Douglas, Producer Robert Mitas and Director Jean-Baptiste Leonetti is a pretty entertaining track, chock full of little tidbits about the production and the shoot as a whole. Mysteriously Actor/Producer Michael Douglas seems to vanish from the track. I guess he had somewhere else to be? Then again if you’re producing the film, you can do whatever you want.
- The Making of Beyond the Reach – Your standard “Making of…” featurette with some interviews with the cast and crew as well as some behind the scenes footage.
- Six Wheeling: Inside and Outside the Ultimate Ride – Essentially glorified product placement for the vehicle used in the film.
- Digital HD Copy
The Bottom Line
Despite an inferior second act and some repetition, Reach has a lot going for it. It’s not a film I’d feel the need to revisit, but it is worth seeing once as it provides enough entertainment value for a rental. It’s mainly Douglas’s and Irvin’s show and they both do a good job with their roles here. Rent it.
