Split Second (1992)

This review is sponsored by

BUY IT

General		Extras
Category	Action	None
Rating
Year Of Production	1992
Running Time	90:13
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Tony Maylam Ian Sharp
Studio Distributor	SONY Pictures Sony Pictures Home Entertain	Starring	Rutger Hauer Kim Cattrall Neil Duncan Michael J. Pollard Alun Armstrong Pete Postlethwaite Ian Dury Roberta Eaton Tony Steedman Steven Hartley Sara Stockbridge Colin Skeaping Ken Bones
Case	Amaray-Transparent
RPI	$9.95	Music	Wendy Carlos Francis Haines Stephen W. Parsons

    Set in a partially flooded London circa 2008, Detective Harley Stone (Rutger Hauer) is tracking a serial killer who eats the hearts of his victims. Stone, an unbalanced anxiety junkie, is convinced that the killer is in fact an inhuman creature, possibly responsible for the death of his partner three years earlier. Stone is assigned a straight-laced serial killer expert, Dick Durkin, to assist in the investigation. Together they'll need "BIGGER GUNS" to halt the slaughter.

    Split Second is firmly entrenched in the 'guilty pleasures' category when it comes to exploitation genre cinema. The plot cannibalises dozens of science fiction favourites, blends them together, and throws them at the audience with just enough panache to make the experience worth while. Sure the screenplay is derivative, but it sells the premise well. The effects work, like the writing, is merely adequate, and the creature is very reminiscent of the Nostromo Menace. What immediately elevates Split Second from being a mundane genre quickie is the film's ace in the hole - legendary anti-hero, Rutger Hauer. Watching Mr Hauer decked out in leather, wandering a flooded London and blasting anything that moves with an assortment of automatic weaponry is always worth the price of a rental. Joining the Dutch legend is an ensemble cast made up of genre veterans like Alun Armstrong (Krull), Kim Cattral (Big Trouble In Little China, Star Trek VI), Pete Postlethwaite (Alien 3, The Lost World) and Ian Dury (Judge Dredd). Director Tony Maylam directs the film at a rapid clip, obviously aware of the films narrative shortcomings. The action scenes are handled well and the film doesn't skimp on the blood and guts. Add up all these elements and you have a low budget winner.

    Made for seven million dollars in 1992, the film was released theatrically to an indifferent audience. It has since become a small cult favourite and sits comfortably alongside other sci-fi cheapies of that era, such as Fortress starring Christopher Lambert, Hardware Starring Dylan McDermott, and The Hidden starrng Kyle Maclachlan.

Video

    I'm sad to report that Columbia Tristar has dropped the ball on this release.

    The film was shot in the aspect ratio of 1:85:1 but the transfer found here is full frame, and a disappointing one at that.

    Sharpness levels are poor, with edge enhancement prominent throughout the transfer. Shadow Detail is also lousy, too, with barely noticeable background details. There is a fair amount of grain on the print, but thankfully little in the way of low level noise.

    Colours are oversaturated, with image bleeding prevalent.

    Occasional film artefacts are noticeable, but nothing is out of the ordinary.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    Fortunately the sound quality fares better than the video transfer. The disc has two audio tracks in English and Spanish. Both are Dolby Digital 2.0 surround.barely noticeableDialogue is clear with no audio sync anamolies.

    The film's orchestral score is effective and adds charm to the moody atmoshpere.

    Surround channel usage is minimal, with rear channels comprised of occasional sound effects and ambient noise.

    The subwoofer adds the required bass and reverberation to enhance the 2.0 surround soundtrack.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

    Nil.

    Both the R4 and R1 versions are basically the same. However, the full frame transfer on the now defunct R1 HBO release is superior.

    Split Second will never be mistaken for high art. However, those of us who enjoy low budget cult science fiction films will find much to enjoy. The transfer is very disapointing and extras are non-existent.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall