Streets Of Legend
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: C Feature: C
Shot “in the streets where illegal racing” goers on, the
narrative feature Streets Of Legend was taped, supposedly exposing the
secret lives and world of the people out on the edge. Joey Curtis directs this exercise in exposing the dark underbelly
of this world and I did not believe what I saw for one minute. Though the acting from the cast was sincere,
the script by Curtis never adds up or synergises into what is intended. Instead, we get vignettes that work, trapped
within a feature that fails with sloppy form and an unrealism that undercuts
anything that could develop into a good viewing. That’s a shame, because a good film on this subject that is not
infantilized or full of @#!$% has yet to be made or seen. Even the car stunts are not enough to carry
it.
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1/16 X 9 image was shot
digitally and Derek Cianfrance’s videography is a mix of some good shots and
too many clichéd ones. Instead of capturing
the excitement of fast cars with the drama, it lands up too often looking like
an episode of Cops, a cable special on illegal racing, an educational
program and bad Music Video mushed up into a visual mess. The chance to do something more streetwise
and smart than Renny Harlin’s awful Driven or those lame Fast/Furious
films, this just perpetuates the same tired cycle. Two Lane Blacktop this ain’t. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is the highlight, though nothing
extraordinary. The music did little for
me, but the Dolby 2.0 mix with Pro Logic surrounds is not as good. Extras include trailers and four featurettes
that are no more or less interesting than the feature.
- Nicholas Sheffo
