Blackout

 (1978)

Blackout Blu-ray features poor video and audio in this poor Blu-ray release
Thriller about four sadistic criminals who, after escaping during a transfer, take over a posh Manhattan apartment complex and start looting and terrorizing its occupants during New York City's famous 1977 blackout.


For more about Blackout and the Blackout Blu-ray release, see Blackout Blu-ray Review published by Brian Orndorf on May 26, 2019 where this Blu-ray release scored 2.0 out of 5.

Director: Eddy Matalon
Writers: John C.W. Saxton, John Dunning, Eddy Matalon
Starring: James Mitchum, Robert Carradine, Belinda Montgomery, June Allyson, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Ray Milland
Producers: John Dunning, Eddy Matalon

» See full cast & crew

Blackout Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf, May 26, 2019

Before "Die Hard," there was "Blackout," with the 1978 release trying to raise some hell with a cop vs. baddies war set inside a high-rise building. It's a scrappy Canadian production trying to play into disaster movie trends, using the real-world nightmare of the 1977 New York City blackout to inspire sleazy violence and lackluster supercop heroism. It's certainly aggressive, but also sloppy, delivering drive-in thrills with limited appreciation for tight editing and multi-character juggling.



"Blackout" makes a number of odd creative choices, but the casting of Robert Carradine as the heavy is certainly troublesome. B-movie villainy doesn't have much pop with Carradine in the role, but the good guys are lacking as well, finding Jim Mitchum flat and slow as the police officer working to secure the building. A capable supporting cast (including Ray Milland, Belinda Montgomery, June Allyson, and Jean-Pierre Aumont) does much better, but director Eddy Matalon doesn't balance perspective, making the dark odyssey episodic instead of inclusive.

Blackout Blu-ray, Video Quality

 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "Brand new 2018 master of the uncut version." While it's nice to have a longer version of the movie (the back cover lists the wrong run time), the source isn't truly in shape to make its HD debut. Perhaps fans of such an obscure title will simply be happy to have the feature on Blu, but there are numerous issues with the viewing experience, including damage, where speckling, scratches, jumpy frames, and blue blotches are common. Colors are lifeless, showing limited primary power, even with period decoration and street signage. Skintones are bloodless and blacks are periodically purplish. Detail is limited, losing much to softness. Delineation is poor, and while the production tries to brighten the frame to clarify some events, shadow play loses information. Grain is thick and somewhat noisy.

Blackout Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 

Damage is also apparent with the 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix. Caught between tininess and muddiness, the listening event is difficult to track, finding dialogue exchanges lost here and there, struggling for any sort of clarity. Scoring is equally muffled, without definition. Sound effects are thick, lacking snap. Hiss and pops carry throughout, and brief audio dropouts are encountered.

Blackout Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras

 

• Intro (:26, HD) pairs Robert Carradine with Banana Man.

• Commentary features actress Belinda Montgomery.

• Interview (11:13, HD) is a rushed conversation with Carradine, who shares his introduction to show business, hired as an understudy for his older brother, Keith, for a Florida play. "Blackout" was a direct offer for the actor, who was eager to work in Toronto and pair up with Jim Mitchum. Director Eddy Matalon is assessed, along with Carradine's co-stars. Stunts and the oddity of Canadian gunplay are examined, and the interviewee's reaction to "Blackout" is shared. Carradine also provides memories from the making of "Pom Pom Girls," "Joyride," "Cannonball," "Orca," "Buy & Cell," and "Tag."

• A T.V. Spot(:33, SD) offers a commercial for "Blackout."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:39, HD) is included.

Blackout Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

 

For cult movie fanatics, "Blackout" has it all: guns, rape, explosions, and cruelty. What's missing is the fun factor that typically emerges from such escapism, finding the feature growing dull and stupid when it should be hard-charging and irresistibly exciting.

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