Plot: What’s it about?
Billy Ray Lancing (Steven Seagal) used to be a high level covert agent, but these days, he avoids such situations. His distrust of the government and authorities in general has driven him to an almost hermit lifestyle. He has great survivalist skills, given his training as part of the covert agency and he enjoys a slower, more relaxed approach. So he resides in an isolated stretch of woods, where he takes nature walks and tends to injured animals. He is involved in a penpal program, in which he writes letter to a young girl in Poland. The operation seems legitimate, as he sends her frequent letters and get responses, with no real conflict. His letters often include coded messages and inspirational tones, which she seems to appreciate. The relationship continues to grow over time and soon, the two have a genuine friendship. So when he learns that his penpal is unable to respond, he is shocked and disappointed. He is sure that she would have told him about any problems, so he is suspicious about her disappearance. His connections prove him right, as his penpal has been taken as part of a human slavery operation. He is soon in the middle of all the action, using his past as a covert agent to get close to those behind the scam. Can he somehow rescue his penpal and shut down the operation, or is that just a little…Out of Reach?
Steven Seagal has never been a stranger to guns in his films, but back in his prime, he would mix up his attacks. That is, he would often ditch the firepower to kick some ass with his martial arts skills. He would draw his gun, run from explosions, and engage in car chases too, but his claim to fame was his hand to hand combat. Or foot to head, or toss a dude down with a vengeance, you know the drill, I am sure. But in his recent comeback, Seagal (Exit Wounds, Hard to Kill) has dropped most of the martial arts and went with more gun battles. He is older now of course, so perhaps he isn’t able to deliver on the same level. So better to use guns than substandard martial arts, right? Most of Seagal’s recent efforts have also been direct to video, which means lower production values and for an action movie, that is bad news. The lack of budget hurts Out of Reach at times, via limited action sequences, but the overall result is better than expected. Some of Seagal’s direct to video films have been lackluster, so a solid one is quite welcome. This is not a great movie, or even a good one, but for Seagal fans, it is a notch above his usual effort these days. The story is decent and for the budget, the action is more than passable. So if you’re a Seagal fan and need a new fix, then give Out of Reach a rental.
Video: How does it look?
Out of Reach is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is not a top level visual presentation, but it looks solid. This is a new release, which means the print should be in pristine condition or at least close, but that isn’t the case here. The print has light grain throughout, as well as some debris and marks at times. These problems amount to a soft overall presence, not what we want in a new release. On the plus side, the colors look bright and contrast is smooth, so that helps balance out the visuals. I did see some minor halos however, which makes the review go out on a bad note. Even with the listed flaws, the transfer comes out well enough, I just expected a little more from such a new release.
Audio: How does it sound?
This is an action movie with Mr. Seagal and as such, you need powerful audio and in that respect, this track more than delivers. The included Dolby Digital 5.1 option is a real gem, lots of surround use and a myriad of directional usage, very impressive indeed. I was very pleased with this track, as it places you right in the midst of it all, a very immersive experience from start to finish. Whether the effects are loud and booming or more subtle, this track handles them well and ensures they’re placed just right within the mix. The dialogue also sounds great, so no vocals are ever lost in the shuffle. I was displeased to find no English subtitles have been included, which is a shame, as most Columbia releases are rich with subtitle options.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes no bonus materials.
