• Aspect Ratio: 1:78:1
• Video Codec: AVC MPEG-4
• Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
• Audio Codec: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
• Subtitles Color: White
• Region: A (Region-Locked)
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 98 Mins
• Discs: 2 (1 x Blu-ray, 1 x DVD)
• Digital Copies: None
• Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
• Blu-ray Release Date: November 6th, 2012
• List Price: $34.99

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Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:2.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]

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:2.5/5]

Maximum Conviction tells the action story of all action stories. Starring 80/90s action star Steven Seagal and former wrestler turned action man Steve Austin, we find both of them teaming up to clear a cell block of detainees from a decommissioned top-secret military prison. For both Steele (Seagal) and Manning (Austin), this seems like it might be an easy 1-2-3 type mission, something they’ve done numerous times before. Only this time around, it seems like someone else has a few plans for these two. Now what exactly this plan details, may surprise Steele and Manning – in a way that just may cause them to kick more ass than usual. What results is a rather over-the-top actioner, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was damn entertained by this Conviction.

A film like Maximum Conviction is just like any other post Under Siege Steven Seagal film – you know the kind of movie you secretly want to watch as soon as you hear about – the kind of movie you’ll never admit to anyone that you actually really want to watch it – the movie that is so over-the-top, so brainless, so, well, dumb that you just keep watching, never shutting it off. Why is this? It’s simply because Seagal knows his days of being a Navy Seal badass are far gone, so he’s just trying to save whatever part of the limelight he has left. Helping him here is an wrestler turned actor in Steve Austin, someone who actually isn’t THAT bad an actor. Granted his scenes are a bit wacky and seem out of place, but lord if these two together just don’t convey all sorts of tough guy, being a bad ass tendencies. No folks, Conviction isn’t really good film in the slightest sense – more it’s one of those movies you put on when you just want to shut your brain off.

Video Quality

[Rating:4.5/5]

Maximum Conviction arrives with a 1:78:1 framed, AVC MPEG-4 encoded transfer, of which continues Anchor Bay’s winning transfer tendencies. Shot using the now well known Red One Camera, Conviction can tend to have a somewhat darker color palette. Even though this is the case, this encode rarely, ever falters. Blacks dominate here, whether the physical locales or the outfits of characters. Usually when darkness dominates a film, issues like crush and smearing rear their heads. Such isn’t the case here. Flesh tones are accurate, as are contrast levels. Detail is rock solid, particularly that of of facial close-ups (especially the aging Seagal’s face.) All in all, this is a fine effort from the folks at Anchor Bay.

Audio Quality

[Rating:4.5/5]

Featuring an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track, I found this lossless offering to be equally as strong as the aforementioned video transfer. Dialogue is well reproduced via the center channel, with no issue or notice of drop out. Like other high octane action affairs, atmosphere is excellent here. Gunfire rings throughout the room giving us that 360 degree sound field, while explosions offer up solid low end with a nice, subtle ‘oomph’. All in all, I found no real major issue here. Like the video, this is a fine effort from Anchor Bay.

Supplemental Materials

[Rating:2/5]

The provided supplements are featured in High Definition:

• Audio Commentary with Executive Producer/Director Keoni Waxman and Co-Executive Producer Binh Dang
• Maximum Conviction: Behind the Scenes – This runs 10:00 on the dot and offers up a rather basic behind-the-scenes look into the film, via cast interviews and a few glimpses of some of the film’s action scenes.
• Icons: Working with Legendary Action Stars – A very brief 1:41 look into the collaboration of Austin and Seagal.
• Interview with Actor Steve Austin – In 1:47, Austin discusses the transition from WWE to film.
• Interview with Actor Bren Foster – A 1:21 discussion of Foster’s background in martial arts and how it helped him prepare for the film.
• DVD – A DVD of the film is included.

The Definitive Word

Overall:

[Rating:3.5/5]

In the most basic sense, Maximum Conviction is so over-the-top in its action, that it’s definitely not a good film – yet, we keep watching because it’s over-the-top, escapist action. Anchor Bay has delivered, yet again, another top notch technical Blu-ray. I’m going to recommend this one as a strong rental after a long day at the office.

Additional Screen Captures

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Purchase Maximum Conviction on Blu-ray Combo Pack at CD Universe

Shop for more Blu-ray titles on Amazon.com

Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:2.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]

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