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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Mandrill

    Featured In Issue 166, April 2012

    Picture3
    Sound3
    WSR Score2
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Magnolia Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    10445
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    For violence and brief sexuality
    (Retail Price):
    $29.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    88
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2009
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    02/28/12
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Ernesto Diaz Espinoza
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Mixing breathtaking action sequences with sultry romance, Mandrill centers on Antonio (Zaror), who is on a quest to avenge the murder of his parents. Working as a ruthless bounty hunter with the code name "Mandrill," Antonio's only weakness is women. Therefore, he enlists his uncle—an expert in the art of seduction—to give him the necessary skills to bewitch every female he meets. After Mandrill is enlisted to entrap a powerful casino owner, he discovers that this man is also the one responsible for his parents' brutal deaths. Yet upon meeting the casino owner's beautiful daughter, Dominik (Reymond), everything begins to unravel for Mandrill whose lifelong search for vengeance may soon fall apart. (Tricia Spears)

    Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette (SD 02:32), Anatomy Of A Fight Scene (SD 07:24), the U.S. trailer, additional trailers, BD-Live functionality, and up-front ads.

    The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture is stylized with "now scenes" generally natural in appearance and flashbacks characteristically yellow in tint. At times scenes can appear unrealistic, with color palette saturation that is unnatural. Contrast is not consistent, though, black levels can be deep and shadows delineated. The lack of consistency is prevalent throughout. Grain and noise also are evident, perhaps to create a gritty impression. Resolution is varied, from sharp to soft focus. Overall, this is a mediocre visual experience. (Gary Reber)

    The Spanish-language DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is integrated with an aggressive surround-filled music score. The action sequence lacks the American punch typical in action films, with bass emphasis during fighting and gun battle scenes. Thus, the Foley for the body punches and kicks are weak, yet sound more real than the typical applied Foley effects. Atmospherics are occasionally presented effectively. Dialogue is not particularly well-integrated spatially. Overall, this is a mediocre soundtrack with, at times, an overpowering music score. Optionally, there is an English-dubbed soundtrack with the same characteristics. (Gary Reber)

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