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Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Solar Attack (Solar Strike) (2005)

Solar Attack (Solar Strike) (2005)

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Released 18-Dec-2006

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Science Fiction Menu Animation
Trailer-Man About Town, The Big White, The Covenant, Black Hole
Trailer-Komoda Vs Cobra
Rating Rated M
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
16x9 Enhanced
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

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

   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.

Don't wish to see plot synopses in the future? Change your configuration.

Transfer Quality

Video

The film has been presented in its original aspect ratio of 1:78:1 and is 16x9 enhanced.

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.

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

Audio

Solar Attack has been given a solitary English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio soundtrack.

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.

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

Extras

Menu Animation

Trailers

Man About Town, The Big White, The Covenant, Black Hole, and Komodo V's Cobra

R4 vs R1

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.

Summary

    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.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Greg Morfoot (if interested here is my bio)
Friday, February 09, 2007
Review Equipment
DVDPioneer DV-535, using Component output
DisplayLG 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 DecoderSony HT-K215. Calibrated with Video Essentials.
AmplificationSony HT-K215
Speakers fronts-paradigm titans, centre &rear Sony - radio parts subbie

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