Frontier(s) (2007/Region Four/4/PAL Import/Madman DVD Set)
Picture: C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D Film: D
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on
machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Four/4 PAL format
software and can be ordered from our friends at Madman Entertainment at the
website address provided at the end of the review.
Xavier
Gens directed the somewhat interesting film Hitman (2007, reviewed elsewhere on this site) so I was curious as
to what kind of thriller he made in Frontier(s),
released earlier that year. The tale of
a near-future France with hoodlums running from the police, only to run into a
house of neo-Nazi cannibals could have been a good thriller if handled well and
with the restraint Gens used on his commercial action film. I could have even handled all the blood and
violence, since there is such a big glut of such productions.
However,
this turned out to be France’s
answer to a torture porn film like Hostel
or Saw and can only try to outdo it
to the point of being absurd and dumb.
Like its more cynical, hating and self-hating U.S. equivalents, it is all
formula, no story and tired plotting.
This is more graphic than most in the cycle and considering the
possibilities this offered, is mishandled very, very badly. Nothing is supernatural here either.
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image is shot in Super
35mm film and is a little softer than a new film and transfer should be, but
you can see al the blood and violence too clearly. Director of Photography Laurent Bares does
some good compositions, but others are not as effective. The
Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is harsh and shrill too often, too loud and seems to be
in need of re-EQing if that would even help.
Extras include a Making Of featurette, Teaser Trailers, Theatrical
Trailer and trailers for other Madman releases.
As noted
above, you can order this PAL DVD import exclusively from Madman at:
https://www.madman.com.au/actions/channel.do?method=view
-
Nicholas Sheffo
