My take: Mutant Chronicles

HD Goofnut · 10-08-2009, 11:33 PM

Title: Mutant Chronicles
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc
Video: 1080p/VC-1
Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1
Subtitles: English and Spanish
Run time: 111 minutes
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Rating: R
Region Coding: Region Free
Player used for review: LG BH200

Cast/Crew Info:
Thomas Jane as Maj. 'Mitch' Hunter
Ron Perlman as Brother Samuel
Devon Aoki as Cpl. Valerie Duval
Sean Pertwee as Capt. Nathan Rooker
Benno Fürmann as Lt. Maximillian von Steiner
John Malkovich as Constantine
Anna Walton as Severian
Directed by Simon Hunter

My take: (the breakdown)

I guess you could call Mutant Chronicles a mixture of Starship Troopers 3, a World War I movie, and a crappy Sci-Fi Channel original movie. This movie is not terrible, but the story is just so off-the-wall and unbelievable that it's difficult to become immersed in. The story follows the ancient history of a 10,000 year old machine that makes mutants out of normal humans. There's never really much elaboration on the machine's purpose other than the breeding of pure evil. Of course it's secrets are protected by a secret religious society. However, when the location of the machine is accidentally stumbled upon and it is of course woken up. The machine has to be stopped and this religious order organizes a team to destroy it. Filled with plenty of one line cliches and cheesy green screen special effects I can't recommend this for more than a rental. Be mindful of children as well because it can be a bit gory.

This title for the most part really shines on Blu-ray and is consistent with most new releases. Colors seem to be muted, but they do hold their saturation. Flesh tones also seem to be accurate. Grain is extremely minimal even during the darker scenes. I did notice some color banding during the first 20 minutes of the movie though. I also spotted several unresolved blacks since most of the movie occurs in extremely dark surroundings.

This DTS-HD Master Audio track is above average in the majority. Dialogue is crisp and clear and never struggles to be heard. There are plenty of effects and music to fill the surround channels. There is also plenty of action to keep your sub busy. There were times though when there was actually too much going in the surrounds. Not only that the music and action seem to be slightly overbearing at times.

We get a decent supplemental package with this Blu-ray release. We get a commentary with director Simon and Perlman, several making of featurettes totaling around an hour or so, six deleted scenes at 7 minutes, and the film's trailer along with a few others. Everything is presented in 480 with the exception of the trailers.

Movie: 6/10
VQ: 8/10
AQ: 8/10
Supplements: 6/10
Final word: A Rental At Best

As always thanks for reading folks.

iDarren · 10-25-2009, 08:38 AM

Looking forward to watching this. Any John John Malkovich film is always worth a look.

HD Goofnut · 10-25-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iDarren

Looking forward to watching this. Any John John Malkovich film is always worth a look.

Just to warn you, he's only in the movie for about five minutes.

mytime · 10-25-2009, 10:33 AM

HDNet Movies showed this back in April. I DVRed it but could not watch more than 30 min of it.

HD Goofnut · 10-25-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mytime

HDNet Movies showed this back in April. I DVRed it but could not watch more than 30 min of it.

Yeah, it's right up there with many of the sci-fi channel original movies where they spend about $40 bucks for the special effects.

iDarren · 10-26-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Just to warn you, he's only in the movie for about five minutes.

thanks for the tip

Apparently there were 2 cuts of the film, a US cut and a European cut. Seems the Euro cut is on the BD. The Euro cut is 11 min longer and apparently there are some significant differences in how the story pans out.

HD Goofnut · 10-26-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iDarren

thanks for the tip

Apparently there were 2 cuts of the film, a US cut and a European cut. Seems the Euro cut is on the BD. The Euro cut is 11 min longer and apparently there are some significant differences in how the story pans out.

It's not a horrible movie and the fact that Perlman and Jane are the stars keep it from being awful. Still I certainly wouldn't watch this one more than once.

Chamillitary · 10-27-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Just to warn you, he's only in the movie for about five minutes.

Oh really? I was going to get this for my brother in law but maybe we should do a rental before making a purchase.

II SAL II · 10-28-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Yeah, it's right up there with many of the sci-fi channel original movies where they spend about $40 bucks for the special effects.

i actually found the effects to fit well with the visual style of this movie. The movie moves a little slow after the opening but overall i found this movie to be alot better than what i was expecting. its worth a rent or DVR. Its also available as a Watch Instant on Netflix in HiDef.

HD Goofnut · 10-28-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by II SAL II

i actually found the effects to fit well with the visual style of this movie. The movie moves a little slow after the opening but overall i found this movie to be alot better than what i was expecting. its worth a rent or DVR. Its also available as a Watch Instant on Netflix in HiDef.

I agree that it's worth a rental, but for a Thomas Jane film it just wasn't as good as The Punisher or The Mist.

marryroy · 11-04-2009, 01:54 AM

hi there...

Set in a futuristic earth, Major Mitch Hunter, played by Thomas Jane and Brother Samuel, played by Ron Perlman, are two warriors who attempt to save the planet from the growing population of mutants which threatens to overtake the planet. The two try to raise an army while Constantine, (John Malkovich,) the leader of the Corporation, feels it's time to abandon the planet. Is Constantine right? Or are Mitch and Samuel humanity's last hope for survival on earth.

10-08-2009, 11:33 PM	#1
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,852	My take: Mutant Chronicles Title: Mutant Chronicles BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc Video: 1080p/VC-1 Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1 Subtitles: English and Spanish Run time: 111 minutes Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment Rating: R Region Coding: Region Free Player used for review: LG BH200 Cast/Crew Info: Thomas Jane as Maj. 'Mitch' Hunter Ron Perlman as Brother Samuel Devon Aoki as Cpl. Valerie Duval Sean Pertwee as Capt. Nathan Rooker Benno Fürmann as Lt. Maximillian von Steiner John Malkovich as Constantine Anna Walton as Severian Directed by Simon Hunter My take: (the breakdown) I guess you could call Mutant Chronicles a mixture of Starship Troopers 3, a World War I movie, and a crappy Sci-Fi Channel original movie. This movie is not terrible, but the story is just so off-the-wall and unbelievable that it's difficult to become immersed in. The story follows the ancient history of a 10,000 year old machine that makes mutants out of normal humans. There's never really much elaboration on the machine's purpose other than the breeding of pure evil. Of course it's secrets are protected by a secret religious society. However, when the location of the machine is accidentally stumbled upon and it is of course woken up. The machine has to be stopped and this religious order organizes a team to destroy it. Filled with plenty of one line cliches and cheesy green screen special effects I can't recommend this for more than a rental. Be mindful of children as well because it can be a bit gory. This title for the most part really shines on Blu-ray and is consistent with most new releases. Colors seem to be muted, but they do hold their saturation. Flesh tones also seem to be accurate. Grain is extremely minimal even during the darker scenes. I did notice some color banding during the first 20 minutes of the movie though. I also spotted several unresolved blacks since most of the movie occurs in extremely dark surroundings. This DTS-HD Master Audio track is above average in the majority. Dialogue is crisp and clear and never struggles to be heard. There are plenty of effects and music to fill the surround channels. There is also plenty of action to keep your sub busy. There were times though when there was actually too much going in the surrounds. Not only that the music and action seem to be slightly overbearing at times. We get a decent supplemental package with this Blu-ray release. We get a commentary with director Simon and Perlman, several making of featurettes totaling around an hour or so, six deleted scenes at 7 minutes, and the film's trailer along with a few others. Everything is presented in 480 with the exception of the trailers. Movie: 6/10 VQ: 8/10 AQ: 8/10 Supplements: 6/10 Final word: A Rental At Best As always thanks for reading folks. __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (Now with Netflix streaming!) 156~206~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *Men in Black* Be sure to check out the Blu-ray Review Request Thread

10-25-2009, 08:38 AM	#2
iDarren Hi-Def Junkie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Blu-ray HQ Awards: World's Sexiest Male 2006/2007/2008 Posts: 2,990	Looking forward to watching this. Any John John Malkovich film is always worth a look. __________________ www.bogieonline.com www.mcqueenonline.com www.saunaandspascene.com www.projectorreviewcentral.com

10-25-2009, 10:33 AM	#4
mytime Nanerpuss Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, Missouri Posts: 5,071	HDNet Movies showed this back in April. I DVRed it but could not watch more than 30 min of it. __________________ Gargle hag gag gargle

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11-04-2009, 01:54 AM	#11
marryroy What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	hi there... Set in a futuristic earth, Major Mitch Hunter, played by Thomas Jane and Brother Samuel, played by Ron Perlman, are two warriors who attempt to save the planet from the growing population of mutants which threatens to overtake the planet. The two try to raise an army while Constantine, (John Malkovich,) the leader of the Corporation, feels it's time to abandon the planet. Is Constantine right? Or are Mitch and Samuel humanity's last hope for survival on earth.