Red Heat (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Lions Gate
Release Date: October 29, 2019
Rating: R
Film: 2/5
 
Plot
Arnold Schwarzenegger is Captain Ivan Danko, a by-the-book Russian detective who partners with a fearless but undisciplined American cop to track down Russia’s deadliest drug smuggler through the mean streets of Chicago in this adrenaline-fueled action-thriller.
 
 
My Thoughts
This was a film that I’d thought I had seen before, but it turns out I must have only caught a few minutes of it on cable at some point in the past and subconsciously put it on my “want to see” list. Ultimately, it’s not very good. Sure, there are some laughs here and there between the two stars, but those instances were few and far between. The screenplay is pedestrian (at best) and there’s little to no tension.
 
Video 8/10 
 
Audio 7/10 (DTS HD-MA 5.1)

Special Features:

• “Arnold Schwarzenegger – The Man Who Raised Hollywood” Featurette
• “Political Context of Red Heat” Featurette
• “East Meets West” Featurette
• “A Stunt Man for All Seasons” Featurette
• “I’m Not Russian, But I Play One on TV” Featurette
• “Making of Red Heat” Featurette
• Original Trailer
• Blu-ray+ Digital Copy

 
Conclusion
What this isn’t Schwarzenegger’s worst film, it’s definitely in the bottom tier of his phenomenal career. I did laugh a time or two but overall, I found it to be somewhat boring and predictable. Add in a cringe-inducing soundtrack from James Horner (think really bad 80s synthesized music) and you have something that really didn’t need to be released in 4K. Skip it.
 
 
 
Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed ChannelsATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-980M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 SVS SB-3000 SubwooferJL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner