Categories: Movie Reviews

Outcast – Blu-Ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jim Milton

Synopsis

When the heir of the Imperial throne becomes the target of an assassination by his despised older brother, the young prince must flee the kingdom and seek protection. His only hope for survival is a reluctant war-weary crusader named Jacob, who must overcome his own personal demons and rally the assistance of a mythical outlaw known as The White Ghost. Together they must fight side by side in an epic battle to return the prince to his rightful place on the throne.

Specifications

Phase 4
2015, Color, Unrated, 1 Hrs 38 mins
Dolby Digtal 5.1 , 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Hayden Christensen
Directed by: Nick Powell

Rating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Violence: Yes
Sex: No
Language: Mild

Commentary

This movie never made it into theaters in the States, as far as I know. And for good reason. Though the actions scenes are decent enough, Cage is in the movie for all of ten minutes. As a templar knight, he speaks with the worst British accent I have ever heard. Christensen still can’t act, unless you consider scowling to be acting. Put them together and you have two knights that are sick of fighting in the Crusades so they decide to go to China (not sure why). There, Jacob (Christensen) picks a fight with the Black Guard and destroys them with his sword, even though he’s strung out on opium. He saves the prince and princess whose father the king (not emperor) was just slain by the villainous older brother. After a long journey and multiple sword fights, they arrive in the mountains controlled by the master bandit, the White Ghost. Of course, the White Ghost is Cage. What an amazing coincidence! Anyway, the villain shows up with his Black Guard army and goes hand-to-hand with Cage while no soliders lift a finger to assist. Not to spoil the ending, but the young price gets back the rightful throne. Besides the wooden acting of Christensen and the wild mood swinging Cage, you have a recipe for disaster. Why would Templar knights go to China? Never explain in the movie, but the director said he wanted to have a change of locale. Then might I suggest the moon? That would have been way cooler. You think they would have explored the inner turmoil of emotions that the knights had with each other, but that never happens. Still, if you are in the mood for a mindless sword fight movie, you could do worse. Then again, maybe not…

Technical

Picture and sound are excellent, though the sound is in DD 5.1. Not that hi def sound would have turned this movie around. The picture has good depth and the colors are solid and satisfying. I did notice some banding during the fades to black and evening scenes.

Extras

Movie trailers of other movies that’ll never make it into theaters and commentaries from the director.

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."