Timecop (HD-DVD)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B+     Extras: C     Film: C

 

 

In what was the brief peak period of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s career, he did two films with action director Peter Hyams, in two of Hyams most blatantly commercial releases.  There was Sudden Death and the film now being issued in HD-DVD by Universal, Timecop.  Based on the graphic novel comic book of the same name, Van Damme is the tile character, battling criminals stealing and killing across history until he goes after them.  Ron Silver is the villain here and the result is a simple, coherent, time travel thriller that is not the best, but looks very good as compared to similar attempts since.  It was even a hit.

 

Unfortunately, there is not much else here and Hyams giving up the more complex and mature territory of Narrow Margin, Capricorn One and The Star Chamber just does not become him.  His End Of Days (also on Universal HD-DVD) which he took over at the last minute, qualifies enough.  You could do worse, but go into Timecop with low expectations and you might just enjoy it.

 

The 1080p VC-1 2.35 x 1 image was shot in real anamorphic Panavision by Hyams himself and looks good for its age, though the HD master used has some detail and depth limits, but it is still very watchable and the best yet the film has looked outside of quality film prints.  The Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 mix is not bad, better than the picture, but still has some minor soundfield issues the film did not have in its original DTS versions.  This was one of the first DTS theatrical releases and Universal made sure it was a great demo in its time, which is why this sound holds up so well about 18 years and counting.  They even issued it in a DTS-only 12” LaserDisc version older home theater fans will still want to hold on to if they have it and like it.

 

For the first time I can remember in HD-DVD, all the extras are withheld inside the HDi real-time interactive section of the disc, which are not bad, but nothing spectacular either.  The labeling at the bottom would make you think there was nothing here at all.  Hopefully, the studio will correct that on future releases.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo