All About the Benjamins (2002) |
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All About the Benjamins (2002) |
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| General | Extras | ||
| Category | Action |
Main Menu Introduction Menu Animation & Audio Audio Commentary-Kevin Bray (Director) & Matt Alvarez (Producer) Featurette-Shot Caller From Videos to Features Featurette-Strictly Business Making the Benjamins Featurette-Miami Nice Production Design Featurette-All About the Stunts Deleted Scenes-1 Outtakes Music Video-Trina, Told Y 'All Teaser Trailer Theatrical Trailer Production Notes Biographies-Cast & Crew Scene Selection Anim & Audio |
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| Year Of Production | 2002 | ||
| Running Time | 93:42 | ||
| RSDL / Flipper | RSDL (76:37) | Cast & Crew | |
| Start Up | Menu | ||
| Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Kevin Bray |
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Studio
Distributor |
 Roadshow Home Entertainment |
Starring |
Ice Cube Mike Epps Eva Mendes Tommy Flanagan |
| Case | Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip | ||
| RPI | Rental | Music | John Murphy |
| Video | Audio | ||
| Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None |
English Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s) English dts 5.1 (768Kb/s) English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s) English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s) |
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| Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 2.35:1 | ||
| 16x9 Enhancement |
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| Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
| Original Aspect Ratio | 2.35:1 | Miscellaneous | |
| Jacket Pictures | No | ||
| Subtitles | English | Smoking | No |
| Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
| Action In or After Credits | No | ||
All About The Benjamins is the latest action vehicle from Rap Star turned action hero Ice Cube. Cube is a bounty hunter in Miami tracking down low rent con-artist Mike Epps. During their cat & mouse chase, they accidentally get caught up in an international diamond heist, with Epps barely escaping with his life only to leave a winning lottery ticket in the hands of the jewel thieves. Cube and Epps team up to solve both the heist and to regain the ticket.
As action films go, this is definitely low rent. There are some nice stunts, an occasional laugh, but it consists mostly of lacklustre performances surrounded by over-the-top directorial flourishes courtesy of Director Kevin Bray. Bray, obviously trying to emulate Michael Bay of The Rock and Bad Boys fame, needs to tone down his enthusiasm and concentrate on the basics. His action scenes are so confusing that at times you become disoriented. Nevertheless, he does know his way around a camera, and the film to its credit is never boring. Ice Cube and Mike Epps have reasonable on-screen chemistry and Florida does provide some nice backdrops for the action set pieces. All About The Benjamins is a barely passable, but not overly terrible, time waster.
All About The Benjamins has been given a reference quality transfer.
The transfer is presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 2:35:1 and is 16x9 enhanced.
Sharpness and shadow detail are flawless and there are no low level noise issues. I could not fault any aspect of the transfer - New Line once again deliver the goods.
Colours are rich and dynamic, with the picture leaping off the screen.
This is a blemish free print with no film or video artefacts whatsoever.
Roadshow and New Line Cinema have done themselves proud - this is simply a stunning transfer.
There is an RSDL change at the 76:37 minute mark, which is not intrusive.
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All About The Benjamins has been blessed with both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio options. There is also a director's commentary presented in Dolby Digital 2.0. Both the DTS and Dolby Digital soundtracks are almost identical, with the DTS track proving the better of the two options as it has a slightly richer bass field.
Dialogue is always clear and there are no audio sync problems.
The film's music is a mixture of the latest urban chart toppers and a traditional score. The score is by John Murphy and is fairly non-descript.
Surround channel usage is first rate, with directional channels straining to keep up with the dynamic audio mix.
The subwoofer adds the necessary depth to the proceedings.
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This 14 minute feature on the increasing influx of MTV video directors into the action movie scene is fairly entertaining if a little trite. Most of the behind the scenes participants are interviewed with special comments from higher profile directors such as Red Dragon and Rush Hour's Brett Ratner.
12 minutes worth of fluffy promotional footage and comments from all the participants. In other words, a glorified trailer.
Designer Mark Harrington and set decorator Barbara Peterson talk about their roles in the making of the film. Decent enough 8 minute short.
This is the best featurette on the disc. A technical talk by the stunt co-ordinator, effects staff and helicopter pilot about the stunt requirements for the film. Some great behind the scenes clips.
Standard MTV clip.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
Both the R4 and R1 versions are identical.
All About The Benjamins is a low grade action buddy flick, presented with a fabulous transfer and decent extras.
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| Review Equipment | |
| DVD | Pioneer DV-535, using S-Video output |
| Display | LG 76cm Widescreen Flatron Television. This display device is 16x9 capable. |
| Audio Decoder | Sony HT-K215. |
| Amplification | Sony HT-K215 |
| Speakers | SS-MS215 |