- Aspect Ratio: 2:40:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
- Audio Codec: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, English Stereo Dolby Digital
- Subtitles: English SDH and Spanish Subtitles
- Region: A
- Rating: R
- Run Time: 94 Mins.
- Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
- Studio: Starz/Anchor Bay
- Blu-ray Release Date: December 20th, 2011
- List Price: $29.99
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BestBuy.com:
Purchase Catch .44 on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:2.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:2/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(All TheaterByte screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG at 100% quality setting and are meant as a general representation of the content. They do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
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The Film
[Rating:2/5]
Catch .44 tells the story of Tes (Malin Akerman), Dawn (Deborah Ann Woll) and Kara (Nikki Reed), three hit women sent to rural Louisiana to intercept a dope deal as part of their cooperation with dealer Mel (Bruce Willis). Arriving at the location, the three girls seem to think everything is going to progress smoothly until Ronny (Forest Whitaker) suddenly arrives to add further complication to the matter. What results is a seemingly well crafted film on paper, but in reality is nothing more than a cheap action film.
With the kind of ensemble cast that Catch .44 features, I figured this would be a great film. While the concept has been seen before, I hoped the likes of Willis, Whitaker and others could elevate this into something worthwhile. Alas, such isn’t the case here. The main problem with Catch .44 is that it tries to be something it isn’t. Heck, a quick glance at the back of the cover even mentions the classic Reservoir Dogs. Where that film was excellent in casting, direction and the overall mix of action into the plot, Catch.44 just isn’t. The film is, well, boring at times. Director Aaron Harvey, who sounds like an honest and intelligent guy after listening to the commentary, just doesn’t know what he’s doing here. The plot moves forward at a snail’s pace, the action is unconvincing and the acting, surprisingly, is too ‘phoned’ in. Perhaps he was channeling other films too much instead of making something unique….something that was his own. Whatever the reason may be, I was truly disappointed by this. Sadly (something I thought I’d never say) I can now say I’ve seen a BAD Forest Whitaker film.
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
The 2:40:1 framed, AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer ranges from quite good to questionable at times. The color palette does feature somewhat glossy, low-lit colors. These kind of colors do showcase fairly solid detail, in particular during many of the exterior daylight sequences. Some detail is lost during a few of the darker, interior moments. Character close ups do show accurate contrast levels and flesh tones. Texture close ups show intricate little details in some of the scenes. Grain is kept in check but there are instances of banding during some of the aforementioned darker sequences. All in all this is a serviceable transfer, nothing overly great but just fine for the material at hand.
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
The film’s provided Dolby TrueHD 5.1 fares better than the film’s video transfer. Dialogue is well reproduced via the center channel and I didn’t notice any instance of drop out. LFE mixes itself in with the film’s music quite well offering up some solid low end that sends a nice ‘oomph’ throughout the room. Speaking of music, the film’s musical moments do create a nice sense of atmosphere. Pans between the front and rears do nicely blend in the mix of dialogue with the film’s action moments.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]
Only one extra is provided:
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Aaron Harvey and Editor Richard Byard
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:2.5/5]
Catch .44 is a prime example of a misfire. While Anchor Bay/Starz have put together a decent V/A presentation, this film is just something you shouldn’t waste your time with.
Additional Screen Captures
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[amazon-product]B005R08HMQ[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase Catch .44 on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:2.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:2/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]
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