- Aspect Ratio: 2:40:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
- Audio Codec: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles: English and Spanish Subtitles
- Region: A (Region-Locked)
- Rating: R
- Run Time: 93 Mins.
- Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
- Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Blu-ray Release Date: November 8th, 2011
- List Price: $29.99
[amazon-product]B005IUIZ2W[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase 13 on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:1.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:1/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(Screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG thus are meant as a general representation of the content and do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
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The Film
[Rating:1/5]
13 is one of those odd films, so odd that I’m reviewing the Blu-ray just as the film hits theaters in limited release. Anyhow, 13 is a remake of the 2005 French film 13 Tzameti. In this 2011 version, Sam Riley stars as Vincent Ferro, an average man who does random electric jobs in hopes of gathering some money to pay for his father’s lingering hospital bills. While on call at a house, Vince overhears a conversation about a mysterious envelope. Thinking this may be the way to figure out all his problems, Vince steals the envelope. Following the instructions, Vince is lead to a secluded place. It’s upon arrival here that Vince finds out just what this event is all about. Turns out that highly rich spectators (including characters played by Jason Statham and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) bid on contestants in a Russian roulette game. Featuring three different rounds all involving revolvers being placed on one another’s heads in a circular fashion, the stakes get higher and higher as the bodies begin piling up. Will Vince survive and is there more to this game other than simple rich spectators? What result is certainly a weird film, one that quickly passes but doesn’t really leave much impact on the viewer.
It’s not that the concept of 13 isn’t interesting, as this does take the Russian roulette idea and put a slightly different twist on it (well, at least I haven’t seen/heard of a film doing something like this before outside of the 05′ version). The problem here is that outside of the initial viewing, there is absolutely NOTHING that demands a second viewing. Now I’m sure someone will say some films don’t need second or third viewings, as the first viewing (if the film is good) will be enough impact wise. Well, 13 just isn’t a good movie. The characters all felt the same, no one differed from anyone. Whether it be Jasper Bagges (Statham) or Jimmy (50 Cent), everyone felt like a clone. Even the contestants all had the same style, same emotion.
13 is just another lazy remake. Essentially borrowing nearly every aspect of the excellent 13 Tzameti, 13 just fails on nearly all cylinders. I’m only giving this film the 1 star rating not necessarily for the quality of the film itself, but more hoping that the audiences that find this movie will search further and find the 2005 original.
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
13 arrives with a color palette that features mostly muted colors, grays, blues, and blacks. Detail is fairly good as facial closeups do show fine contrast levels and accurate flesh tones. While some detail may be lost in some of the darker moments (like seen in the 2nd screenshot underneath ‘Additional Screen Captures’), the exterior daylight shots are fine. Grain is kept to a minimum while the print seemed to be in good condition. Of note the film takes up roughly 17GB of the BD-25 the film is featured on.
Audio Quality
[Rating:3/5]
The film features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The track itself is somewhat limited, possibly due to the film’s limited budget. Dialogue is well reproduced via the center channel. Atmosphere only really opens up during the dueling moments where gunshots create a 360-degree zip around the room, almost as if we were in the room witnessing the bullets traveling in a circle. Dynamics are quite absent minus the aforementioned duel sequences. LFE is quiet, occasionally showing some life during the heightened scenes or when the score calls on it to.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0/5]
There are no features.
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:1.5/5]
13 is plainly a bad film, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. While the Blu-ray does feature good video and audio, the film is poorly made. I can’t even recommend this as a rental. Actually go out and rent the original instead. You’ll thank me later.
Additional Screen Captures
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[amazon-product]B005IUIZ2W[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase 13 on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:1.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:1/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0/5]
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