SUDDEN DEATH (1995) - Andy's 4K UHD Review
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2024 11:47 am
6/10
After producing solid box-office with the Fall ‘94 hit “Timecop,” action star Jean-Claude Van Damme reunited with director Peter Hyams for “Sudden Death,” a “Die Hard” wannabe which Universal hoped would produce similarly solid returns at the Christmas ‘95 multiplex.
Alas, this flat exercise – clearly intended to offer “crossover” appeal to viewers not necessarily familiar with its leading man – just never gets it cranking on the suspense front, with the movie mechanically motoring through a by-the-numbers script from writer Gene Quintano.
Van Damme plays a former (disgraced) firefighter turned fire marshal for the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, home of the NHL Penguins. The team’s about to take the ice for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals when a crazed villain (Powers Boothe, serving up his usual “heavy” shtick) takes control of a luxury box occupied by the Vice President of the United States (Raymond J. Barry). Of course, only one man can save the day, and it’s Van Damme to the rescue, weaving his way in and out of the arena while trying to avoid corrupt secret agents and let the fans enjoy the game at the same time.
“Sudden Death” has some good practical effects work but it’s curious how this movie never ignites. Maybe it was the decision to set the whole movie at a hockey game, or the fact Van Damme has no chemistry with the child actors playing his kids – both of whom, predictably, get into trouble (I had also forgotten how abrupt the last scene is, the movie trying to get away from them and to the end credits as fast as possible!). Whatever the case may be, the film offers a weak imitation of “Die Hard” and far less of a vehicle suited to sell JCVD to the larger viewing public as was intended – he doesn’t have Bruce Willis’ charisma and there’s little else here to sell to audiences. Punctuating it all is an exhausting John Debney score which cribs from other sources and immediately lets you know you’re watching a film from the mid ‘90s (hello, “Conspirators” cue from John Williams’ “JFK” soundtrack!).
Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD premiere of “Sudden Death” should still offer some appeal to the Van Damme die-hards out there, and the Dolby Vision transfer (2.35) – via a new 4K scan of the 35mm OCN – really looks dynamic. Hyams’ movies, especially around this time, had a tendency to favor low or natural light conditions and the use of HDR aids the overall presentation – especially compared to previous disc releases where Hyams’ visuals were problematic to render at home. The 5.1 DTS MA sound is fine, and extras include a new commentary by Mike Leeder and Russ Boyask plus scattered EPK content (vintage interview clips, behind-the-scenes footage, trailers).
After producing solid box-office with the Fall ‘94 hit “Timecop,” action star Jean-Claude Van Damme reunited with director Peter Hyams for “Sudden Death,” a “Die Hard” wannabe which Universal hoped would produce similarly solid returns at the Christmas ‘95 multiplex.
Alas, this flat exercise – clearly intended to offer “crossover” appeal to viewers not necessarily familiar with its leading man – just never gets it cranking on the suspense front, with the movie mechanically motoring through a by-the-numbers script from writer Gene Quintano.
Van Damme plays a former (disgraced) firefighter turned fire marshal for the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, home of the NHL Penguins. The team’s about to take the ice for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals when a crazed villain (Powers Boothe, serving up his usual “heavy” shtick) takes control of a luxury box occupied by the Vice President of the United States (Raymond J. Barry). Of course, only one man can save the day, and it’s Van Damme to the rescue, weaving his way in and out of the arena while trying to avoid corrupt secret agents and let the fans enjoy the game at the same time.
“Sudden Death” has some good practical effects work but it’s curious how this movie never ignites. Maybe it was the decision to set the whole movie at a hockey game, or the fact Van Damme has no chemistry with the child actors playing his kids – both of whom, predictably, get into trouble (I had also forgotten how abrupt the last scene is, the movie trying to get away from them and to the end credits as fast as possible!). Whatever the case may be, the film offers a weak imitation of “Die Hard” and far less of a vehicle suited to sell JCVD to the larger viewing public as was intended – he doesn’t have Bruce Willis’ charisma and there’s little else here to sell to audiences. Punctuating it all is an exhausting John Debney score which cribs from other sources and immediately lets you know you’re watching a film from the mid ‘90s (hello, “Conspirators” cue from John Williams’ “JFK” soundtrack!).
Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD premiere of “Sudden Death” should still offer some appeal to the Van Damme die-hards out there, and the Dolby Vision transfer (2.35) – via a new 4K scan of the 35mm OCN – really looks dynamic. Hyams’ movies, especially around this time, had a tendency to favor low or natural light conditions and the use of HDR aids the overall presentation – especially compared to previous disc releases where Hyams’ visuals were problematic to render at home. The 5.1 DTS MA sound is fine, and extras include a new commentary by Mike Leeder and Russ Boyask plus scattered EPK content (vintage interview clips, behind-the-scenes footage, trailers).