Plot: What’s it about?
This movie whent through a few title changes and was even delayed a couple of times as well before it was released for its theatrical run in January of 1998. It was first going to be called Flood, but the filmakers didn’t want to confuse the movie goers into thinking it was another disaster film like Volcano and Dante’s Peak. So they changed it to Hard Rain. Not sure if it worked out as planned. The movie only made about 20 million dollars at the box office.
This movie is about two armored car guards, Christian Slater and Edward Asner, who are picking up money, totaling three million dollars, at banks in a town because it has been evacuated due to the flood warning. The armored car is stuck in the flood and some looters, among them Morgan Freeman, hear the distress call that was given from the guards in the armored car. One of the guards is killed and the other hides the money in the cemetary in order to save his life. The thiefs want the money so they chase after Slater to find out where he hid the money. Along the way Slater runs into the sheriff, Randy Quaid, and the lady remodeling the town church, Minnie Driver. Well the action gets going and before you know it Slater and Driver are running, actually swimming, away from everyone trying to stay alive. Everybody seems to be after the money and nobody wants any witnesses around when all is said and done.
This is a fairly entertaining movie. I enjoyed it a little, but not sure you could watch it more than two or three times. I purchased this for $13 so I feel I got my money’s worth. What makes this entertaining at home is the soundtrack. One of the better ones that I have heard so far. All of the speakers are active in this movie. Especially when the bullets are ringing form speaker to speaker and when the subwoofer kicks in which is pretty often the last thirty or so minutes of this movie. The scenes of the dam crashing are really a treat for the ears. You still might be able to pick this up at Reel.Com for $13 with a coupon and I think it will be worth it if you enjoy the movie. I couldn’t see paying much more though. If not a rental is worth the soundtrack alone.
Video: How does it look?
This letterbox version is NOT enhanced for 16×9 televisions. The picture is still good with no grain and was clean of any artifacts. The film is set at night and the black level was right on. A good transfer of this movie.
Audio: How does it sound?
This is an excellent soundtrack on DVD. The first thirty minutes of the movie is fairly quiet. But when the last hour gets going your speakers really come to life. The action gets going and bullets are flying, fires are started and dams are breaking. Some great sounding action sequences in this movie. The bass was deep and very active in the movie. The surround channels also get a lot of attention in this movie as well. The front soundstage is very wide and strong. A reference caliber soundtrack here.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The only thing you get here is a letterboxed theatrical trailer in 2.0 surround sound.
