The 355 (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal
Release Date: February 21, 2021
Rating: PG-13
Film: 3/5
 
Plot
When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, wild-card CIA agent Mason “Mace” Brown (Jessica Chastain) joins forces with rival German agent Marie (Diane Kruger), former MI6 ally and cutting-edge computer specialist Khadijah (Lupita Nyong’o), and skilled Colombian psychologist Graciela (Penélope Cruz) on a lethal mission to retrieve it. The unlikely team must also stay one step ahead of a mysterious woman, Lin Mi Sheng (Bingbing Fan), who is tracking their every move as the action rockets across the globe.
 
My Thoughts
Minor spoiler alert—The 355 is a reference to a female spy that George Washington used during the revolutionary war, although in this film there are multiple female spies from around the world who are thrust together to contain a global threat unlike anything we’d ever seen before.
 
First off, this film doesn’t break any new ground at all. If you like spy/action films you recognize many of the same plot themes and stunts, but in this case, the women are leading the proceedings. Like those other films of the genre, definitely check your brain at the door before tuning in because the leaps of logic needed come in to play early and often.
 
The cast does a good job of selling their roles to the audience and he tension between Chastain and Kruger comes across as genuine. Sebastian Stan makes an appearance as a love interest/partner of Chastain, but truth be told, this is a movie about the ladies kicking ass and the pretty boys take a back seat.
 
The overall presentation is excellent. In fact, the video quality on the Blu-ray is astounding. It’s derived from both 4K and 3.4K sources, but you’d hardly tell between the two methods of capture. Detail is off the charts and there’s plenty of eye candy to go around. The audio track should have been either Atmos or DTS:X, but sadly all we have is DTS-HD MA 5.1, which is aggressive and punchy but lacks the overhead or rear effects that truly fit an action movie.
      
Video 5/5 (AVC)
 
 Audio 4.5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Deleted Scenes
• Chasing Through Paris
• Action that Hurts
• Reconstructing Marrakesh
• Chaos at the City of Dreams
• VFX Breakdowns
• Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy

 

 
 
Conclusion
My only complaint with this film is it’s a little longer than it needs to be at two hours. Some of the fight and chase scenes go on a bit too long and 15-20 minutes could have been trimmed with no impact on the overall plot or entertainment value. If you’re looking for a fun film that will entertain you, then this should be near the top of your list if you’re an action junkie.
 
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
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&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 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Told ya...

Nice review buddy.

Regards,

[bmoney]

Just watched it. Pleasantly surprised (well sort a. You’re review helped) great picture and sound. Thanks for the reco

[David Vaughn]

Just watched it. Pleasantly surprised (well sort a. You’re review helped) great picture and sound. Thanks for the reco

Not a great movie for sure, but entertaining with the right expectations. Glad you enjoyed it.