Plot: What’s it about?
“Pain don’t hurt.”
Ah, once again I find myself looking back to the 1989 masterpiece that is Road House. It’s served me (and countless others) well over the years. Rest in peace, Mr. Swayze. But there might be more than a shred of truth in that statement. Most things in life are mental. So if it’s truly mind over matter, does it really matter if you don’t mind? Wow. That’s deep. But, more to the point, it’s the running gag in Novocaine, a film which takes this concept and runs with it (literally, in some cases) for 110 minutes. Is it a gag that wears out its welcome or one that deserves high praise? Co-Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, who’s previous credits include Signifcant Other, Body and Villains have taken this concept to a new level. And no, this isn’t based on a comic book (though, oddly, there is an animated web series that accompanies this film). Enough talk – let’s feel some pain…sorta.
We meet Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid), a socially awkward Assistant Manager of a bank. A teller, Sherry (Amber Midthunder) puts the moves on him which leads to the duo going out for drinks and hooking up. Nathan falls for her instantly. Soon after, the bank is robbed by a trio led by Simon (Ray Nicholson) who takes Sherry hostage on the way out. In a desperate attempt to save her, Nathan follows in hot pursuit much to the chagrin of two detectives (Betty Gabriel and Matt Walsh). This also leads us to Simon’s right-hand man, Andre (Conrad Kemp), as he tries to use torture to extract information from Nathan. And if you’ve seen the trailer, you know why – Nathan has a condition in which his body literally feels no pain. He’s prodded, punctured and beaten with seemingly no effect. Of course, this begs the question: will he be able to save Sherry?
Admittedly, this isn’t the highest concept for a film, but it’s a fun way to pass a couple of hours. Jack Quaid clearly has the talent possessed by his father (Dennis) and has enough experience in the acting world to ham it up a bit. While the running gag in the film wore a bit thin (for me), I can see where others might appreciate it. It’s not exactly something you’ll ponder too much after the credits roll, but I don’t think that’s the point. The supporting cast adds to the mix as well, with good turns from Midthunder and Nicholson. This is, in essence, a movie that The Rock could have easily been cast in, but Quaid has that naturally geeky appearance that manages to make it something his own. I had fun with it – so will you.
Video: How’s it look?
In these days where we’ve got 4K and even 8K (not on disc form…yet) we’re used to seeing things look crystal clear. Anything that has the black bars on the sides is immediately dated as “pre-High Definition” and, well, looks like crap. So when a new-to-the-format film comes out, we expect the best And, in many ways, Novocaine delivers the goods. But in other ways it doesn’t. But it’s intentional. Paramount has shown us that their recent offerings look and sound good. What this film lacks is that “polish” that so many other movies offer. Again, it’s by design. So if you’re looking for a film that’s not afraid to show a bit of grain, but also sports a nice-looking 2.39:1 4K HEVC encode then look no further. Detail is amazing, contrast is strong and HDR does a nice job. It’s technically amazing, but not what you’d expect.
Audio: How’s it sound?
I’d imagine when someone is hanging upside down after being beaten, we’d want to hear it in the best available sound mix. And we do. The included Dolby Atmos mix utilizes the best available sound that really makes the film pack a punch, pun fully intended. Quiad’s voice sounds like it’s in the next room. Surrounds are almost constantly churning away and the front stage is super active. Of course, as we might expect, the LFE aren’t lost. It’s an engaging and decidedly strong mix that’s sure to please.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Prepare For Pain: Pre-Production — Filmmakers take us from concept to casting and the process of creating the world found in the film.
- A World of Hurt: Production — Co-directors Robert Olsen and Dan Berk discuss the film’s unique stunts, production design, cinematography, and special effects.
- Maximum Physical Damage: Makeup Effects — Blood, bones, and bodies…find out the secrets behind the guts and gore that made the action really pack a punch.
The Bottom Line
There’s nothing entirely new in Novocaine, but it’s a fun watch. Quaid has the chops to carry to film and has done so in nearly every role he’s in. The concept, to me at least, seems to lose its effacacy about mid-way through but others might like it. Paramount’s disc delivers the goods with stunning picture quality along with a Dolby Atmos track that, you guessed it – packs a punch.
