Solar Attack (Solar Strike) (2005) |
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General | Extras | ||
Category | Science Fiction |
Menu Animation Trailer-Man About Town, The Big White, The Covenant, Black Hole Trailer-Komoda Vs Cobra |
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Rating | |||
Year Of Production | 2005 | ||
Running Time | 86:49 | ||
RSDL / Flipper | No/No | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Ads Then Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Paul Ziller |
Studio
Distributor |
SONY Pictures Sony Pictures Home Entertain |
Starring |
Mark Dacascos Bill Lake |
Case | Amaray-Transparent | ||
RPI | $39.95 | Music | None Given |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None | English Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s) | |
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | ||
16x9 Enhancement |
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Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | No | ||
Subtitles | None | Smoking | Yes |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | Yes |
Solar Strike is your typical direct to DVD (DTD) B grade sci-fi disaster flick. Every genre cliche is present and accounted for - wooden acting, illogical time frames, and continuity errors by the dozens. However, the production does boast some very well done special effects sequences considering the miniscule budget. Starring Marc Dacascos the plot synopsis is as follows: 'The largest coronal mass emission ever detected by scientists breaks off from the sun and hurtles toward the Earth. With temperatures soaring higher, the sky on fire and the continued existence of the human race in question, scientists must explode the polar ice caps to stop the CME. Will it backfire or save life as we know it?' Sounds pretty exciting doesn't it? Well, think again.
The transfer has a first rate image with no signs of aliasing, or edge enhancement. The image displays solid black levels with well defined shadow detail. There are no grain or low level noise trouble spots.
Colours are vibrant and natural with no apparent image bleeding.
There are very few film or video artefacts on the transfer, as you would expect for a new film.
This is an above average transfer for a direct to dvd feature courtesy of Columbia Tristar.
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Shadow Detail | |
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Overall |
Dialogue levels are strong with no discernable audio sync problems.
The film's score does a reasonable job and is never intrusive. Thankfully unlike most B grade quickies the score underplays the on-screen proceedings instead of constantly bombarding the audience.
The 5.1 mix has a reasonable surround channel balance. Directional effects are present and give the rear channels a busy workout.
The subwoofer adds the required bass and reverberation for a film of this type.
Dialogue | |
Audio Sync | |
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts | |
Surround Channel Use | |
Subwoofer | |
Overall |
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
All versions currently available appear the same.
I usually get a kick out of a well made low budget genre film, sadly these are becoming few and far between. Solar Strike is testament to the sad state of DTD films. With that being said, it does have a very good transfer.
Video | |
Audio | |
Extras | |
Plot | |
Overall |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Pioneer DV-535, using Component output |
Display | LG 42" High Definition Plasma with built in High Definition Tuner. Calibrated with Video Essentials. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 720p. |
Audio Decoder | Sony HT-K215. Calibrated with Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Sony HT-K215 |
Speakers | fronts-paradigm titans, centre &rear Sony - radio parts subbie |