Plot: What’s it about?
Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves) is a dedicated police officer, but after the death of his wife, he has become more driven to dispense justice than ever before. This drive has taken him outside of the lines of normal law enforcement, as he would rather see violent criminals dead than in a courtroom. His actions have just secured the safe return to two kidnapped teens, as well as ended the lives of the gangsters who took them prison. While the results are praised by most, Ludlow’s former partner thinks he is a racist and should be stopped. When Ludlow learns of his ex-partner’s plan to share information about him with Internal Affairs, he decides to knock some sense into him. But when he confronts the fellow officer at a gas station, an armed robbery unfolds and leaves Ludlow alive, but his old partner dead. As the walls begin to close in around him, Ludlow starts to see the true depth of corruption, but can he trust anyone when he chooses to take a stand?
This movie doesn’t cover new ground by any means, but Street Kings was a solid picture. The usual “corruption gone wild within a police department” song and dance drives the plot, which manages to hit just about every cliche before the end credits. As by the numbers as Street Kings is however, it still manages to deliver some entertainment. I think a more unique take on the topic could have yielded a more effective end result, but for a formulaic cop movie, this is decent stuff. Keanu Reeves is a capable lead and plays his role well, while Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans, and others provide able backup. No real surprises to be found within the movie’s twists and turns, but it is well done given that framework and there is some mild tension as things begin to truly unravel. So not the kind of movie you’ll talk about for weeks afterwards, but Street Kings kept my attention and while predicable, was a decent way to burn some time. This Blu-ray release has all the extras plus an exclusive viewing mode, plus enhanced video & audio, so this is the version to see, no doubt.
Video: How does it look?
Street Kings is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. This might not be a reference level transfer, but it looks damn good. The image is manipulated at times, to hone in specific colors, so some scenes look cool or cold, while others have a warmer texture. This is intentional however and the film’s visual design is upheld well. The detail here is impressive, with some scenes that simply shine with so much depth, videophiles might reach for a Kleenex. Not all of the movie looks that eye popping, mind you, but this is a sharp, well defined presentation. A great looking visual effort from Fox, who continues to improve their output when it comes to new releases.
Audio: How does it sound?
This DTS HD 5.1 option is excellent, almost flawless, in fact. The movie has ample gunfire, car crashes, and violent tussles, all of which sound visceral and natural in this mix. The power is impressive, but the overall depth stands out as well, so you’ll hear all the little touches that make those high octane scenes seem that much more realistic. At the same time, even the non action scenes benefit, as atmosphere is present throughout, with a good amount of environmental noise. So loud or reserved, this soundtrack comes through and then some. This release also includes French and Spanish language tracks, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean
Supplements: What are the extras?
David Ayers provides his director’s comments and while serviceable, his session isn’t memorable. He talks about how the project began, the casting process, and the production itself, in moderate detail. Not as in depth as I would like and with plenty of silence, so that is another negative element. Unless you just loved the movie and have to hear all the insider information possible, this track is one you can skip on. A host of featurettes, vignettes, and behind the scenes clips have been included, but in honesty, none had much depth or insight. If one element of the production stood out as interesting to you, there’s probably a brief look at it in here, but don’t expect too much. This release also includes alternate takes, deleted scenes, and a couple of the film’s theatrical trailers.
