- Aspect Ratio: 2:39:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
- Audio Codec: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
- Region: A (Region-Locked)
- Rating: R
- Run Time: 90 Mins.
- Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Blu-ray Release Date: September 20th, 2011
- List Price: $24.99
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BestBuy.com:
Purchase Set Up on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for More Blu-ray Titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:2/5]
The Film
[Rating:1.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1.5/5]
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:1.5/5]
Set Up tells the story of three friends, Sonny (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson), Dave (Brett Granstaff), and Vincent (Ryan Phillippe) and their planning out the perfect heist. By simply writing the word perfect, you can know that nothing about this heist will end up being perfect. It turns out that Vincent goes rogue betraying the other two. Determined to get revenge on Vincent, Sonny decides to team up with Jack Biggs (Bruce Willis), the most dangerous mob boss in town. What results is a film that has its moments, but ultimately ends up becoming quite predictable.
On an initial glance, Set Up sounds like a decent film. Sure the heist aspect has been done numerous times before, but who doesn’t enjoy watching a well made action packed robbery film? Well, the problem is that Set Up just isn’t well made. It’s not necessarily the cast as Phillippe, Willis and even (yes) Jackson turn in decent performances. Don’t blame 100% blame Director Mike Gunther, who seems to know how to direct action. I personally blame Mike Behrman and (50%) the other writer who just so happens to be the film’s Director Mike Gunther. The dialogue here is bland and, at times, cringe worthy. It got to the point where the actors probably read their lines, thought about it and then turned to both writers and said “really?” I’ll easily give Gunther credit for his direction, but the writing? Leave that to the pros Mr. Gunther.
Another problem is the film’s physical plot. The heist aspect. Too many times Writers seem to think that if they throw ANOTHER heist film at us, we’ll just sit back and forgive the cliches and plot holes just because (as Dane Cook said) “who doesn’t wish they could drive the van from a heist?” As soon as the first heist doesn’t go according to plan, I was guessing every step of the film. That just makes the film boring to sit through. In the end, Set Up, for lack of a better term, just isn’t ever Set Up well (yes…pun intended).
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
The 2:40:1 framed, AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer features a nearly perfect transfer for a not so good film. Set Up features a rather dark color palette. Sequences have, seemingly, been purposely shot using low lighting techniques. This doesn’t really create any major issue outside of some of the dark, dark scenes having a bit of crush to them. Fine detail is excellent, whether close ups of our characters or wider exterior shots. Sharpness and clarity is equally as great. There are a few compression issues at times and a bit of film grain in some moments, but nothing that is overly problematic. All in all, outside of a few problems, this is a solid transfer.
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
The film’s provided DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 features quite the robust track. Dialogue, while a bit laughable at times, is reproduced well with no instance of drop out. Atmosphere is excellent throughout. Whether during the heightened action moments or the music of The Newton Brothers, there always seems to be something going on. Pans between rears is also seamless creating a truly solid aural experience. While the film isn’t something I’d recommend in the slightest sense, for those action buffs looking to HEAR quality lossless audio, check out Set Up’s fine DTS-HD mix.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1.5/5]
The provided supplement are shown in a mix of SD and HD:
- Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Mike Gunther and Stunt Coordinator Kyle Woods
- Making Set Up – This runs 9:17 and glances into a bit of behind-the-scenes info.
- Inside the Gun Locker: The Weapons of Set Up [HD] – A rather brief (3:37) look into some of the film’s weapons.
- Interviews with Cast and Crew [HD] – 3 different interviews are shown with the Director (12:27), Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (8:33), and Randy Couture (3:36)
- Trailer [SD] – The film’s trailer is shown.
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:2/5]
While Lionsgate has served a technically solid Blu-ray presentation, I can’t recommend this based solely on the film’s lack of bringing something new to the table.
Additional Screen Captures
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[amazon-product]B0058ZPNS6[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase Set Up on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for More Blu-ray Titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:2/5]
The Film
[Rating:1.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1.5/5]
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