Review | Bad Ass (Blu-ray) | Blu-ray Authority

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Plot: What’s it about?Video: How does it look?Audio: How does it sound?Supplements: What are the extras?

Plot: What’s it about?

Frank Vega (Danny Trejo) is an older man, a veteran of Vietnam, and someone who has dealt with being shunned for over four decades. But Vega isn’t bitter and doesn’t blame the world for his problems, he just wants to live his life. While he is a quiet man in most aspects, he isn’t going to sit back while the innocent are tormented. So when he sees some skinheads bothering a senior citizen, he steps up and serves up a beat down to the thugs. His actions are captured by a camera phone and soon, Vega is the star of a popular viral video. Soon after, one of his closest friends is murdered and the police seem to have no interest in getting to the bottom of the crime. So Vega takes action himself, taking to the streets to uncover the truth by whatever means necessary. While Vega has proven he is still a tough man, can even this seasoned veteran of war manage to find old school justice against an entire system that has become corrupt?

As a fan of classic vigilante movies, my interested was piqued by Bad Ass. Inspired by a viral video, Bad Ass wants to deliver old school action and it delivers. The movie is self aware, but doesn’t go overboard in that respect, which is perhaps why the film works as well as it does. I also loved the little nods to other vigilante cinema, which again are not overdone or forced. The fight scenes are well executed, as Trejo is always fun to watch in fisticuffs. He channels a nice aura of rage in Bad Ass, which plays off the arrogance of Charles S. Dutton and entitlement of Ron Perlman. The cast is rock solid all around too, so even in the non action scenes, the movie keeps you entertained. But Trejo stands out, as he brings the tough as nails persona in full effect, but doesn’t take it too far over the top. Bad Ass is just a fun throwback that knows when to inject some comic relief, but makes sure the action is ample. So in the end, Bad Ass earns a high recommendation.

Video: How does it look?

Bad Ass is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen. This is a great looking transfer, with an excellent image that never suffers from even minor problems. I do think the depth could be better, but that is more of an issue with the source, not this treatment. Overall detail is terrific, but it lacks the last little touch of depth to put it over the top. The colors look natural and consistent, while contrast is even and never wavers. All in all, a great visual presentation.

Audio: How does it sound?

This movie might not have chain explosions like some, but this DTS HD 5.1 soundtrack still sounds great. The surrounds are used to enhance the fight scenes and add that extra impact. That is achieved, as each strike landed has the impact to make you feel like you were punched yourself. A few scenes stoke the audio fires even more, but by and large the fight scenes stand out as the most memorable in terms of sound design. The music also sounds good, while the vocals are always clear and clean. No real issues to report, this is just a rock solid soundtrack. This disc also includes subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.