Under Siege: HD-DVD review

captainjoe · Post by **captainjoe** » 21 Apr 2007, 03:06

Under Siege

Warner has decided to release Under Siege, one of the better Steven Seagal from the early 1990s and surprisingly, I'm very impressed with the release.

Specs:

- Full 1080p High Definition Widescreen 16x9
- 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus
- Pop-up menus
- Scene Slections
- English Subtitles
- Zoom/pan feature
- Original Theatrical Trailer (480i Standard Definition)

Video

Given some of Warner's other titles that were originally released on DVD before 2000, I was expecting another one of those badly de-interlaced, out-dated transfers. But I was wrong. Instead we have an all-new digital transfer. By putting my 1998 DVD on and the new HD-DVD I switched the inputs on my TV back and forth on matching frames from both editions. What I discovered was a much smoother, sharper and cleaner presentation. The colours are completely different with the DVD leaning towards more blue and sometimes yellow, it varies from scene to scene. Outdoor scenes showcasing the ship no longer have an artificial blue hue to them. Dirt is still present but a lot of it has been removed. Fortunately, the film still sports a healthy level of film grain without going overboard.
Another difference I noted was that the framing has been opened up quite a bit. More on the left, right and top. A little is trimmed off thebottom but given the other areas exposing more this is a small price to pay. Edge enhancement is not a major problem however I was able to detect it in a few shots.
While this may not be the most impressive title out in HD-DVD and it doesn't go near the newer films, it still looks
pretty good.

Audio

There isn't as much of a difference in the audio as the video between the DVD and HD-DVD, but it still shows an improvement. The higher bit rate makes it that much better. Good level of bass and crispness to the audio. You'll be satisfied with it.

Extras

Given all the good things I've said so far, the HD-DVD falls short in the extras category only containing the trailer.
I would've liked to see a commentary or retrospective interviews but I guess we'll have to wait a few more years for that.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy the film and have the equipment to play HD-DVDs then grab a copy of this even if you have the DVD. It's a great overall presentation even if the extras fall short.
Note: I haven't had a chance to see the blu-ray version of the film but I would expect it to be pretty much the same

HD-DVD
Video: 7.5/10
Audio: 7/10
Extras: 1/10

Here's a little something to go along with my review.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Arfr280dNK8

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 21 Apr 2007, 04:35

Hehe, Erika Eleniak's massive tits in HD!

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 21 Apr 2007, 14:35

They should put a warning on the packaging.

Massive tits may cause blindness.

You'd think considering how much HD costs Warners could have at least found some old promo fluff to put on there.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 21 Apr 2007, 14:39

Shame its not the long lost uncut version with more tittage and violence.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 21 Apr 2007, 17:36

romerojpg wrote:Shame its not the long lost uncut version with more tittage and violence.

Never heard of that.

Got anymore info?

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 21 Apr 2007, 17:58

I think it was mentioned on IMDB? try them.

But from what I remembered back in the days of college someone said they had a Tape of it with a sex scene! sounds odd to me thye found time to mount each other, but they didnt seem the kind of person who lied ta the time.

It may just all be rumor on the net mind you

but a few violent scenes were apprenty cut for an R rating too.

I have never seen pictures of any of the footage so in my mind its all rumor till I do

took me years to see Hard Targe uncut before I beleved people about that, so hell it may be true.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 21 Apr 2007, 19:05

Could your m8 have been talking about On Deadly Ground instead? I remember when that was playing in UK theatres there were reports that a sex scene between Seagal and Joan Chen had been cut out of the film because test audiences couldn't take it seriously.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 21 Apr 2007, 22:35

A sex scene was cut from ODG.

You can see a glimpse in the trailer.

Pity as we missed Joan Chen in the buff again.

captainjoe · Post by **captainjoe** » 22 Apr 2007, 05:17

Here's a little something to go along with my review.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Arfr280dNK8

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 22 Apr 2007, 05:35

HAHA, oh yeah! Have you seen the MadTV Will Sasso Seagull skits where he meets the Dalai Lama and the one where he's on the set of Crouching Cops, Hidden Badges? Or what about Seagull and Van Damme in One True Impact?

captainjoe · Post by **captainjoe** » 22 Apr 2007, 06:44

Crouching cops hidden badges is so funny.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NlNIWY7vtgI

"One of you doesn't believe!"

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 22 Apr 2007, 16:07

Thanks CJ. I like this film too (the only decent Seagal film). It's an odd one for the HD treatment though.

Sadly they're just mimicking the DVDs extras for the most part which is annoying.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 22 Apr 2007, 16:12

bradavon wrote:Thanks CJ. I like this film too (the only decent Seagal film). It's an odd one for the HD treatment though

I haven't seen that many Seagull films (maybe 4 or 5) but I liked Under Siege 2, campy fun. Felt like a low-rent Goldeneye.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 23 Apr 2007, 01:07

Under Siege 2 was fun, but Seagal's acting was at its worst.

He wasn't trying in the slightest.

See the scene where he first meets his niece in the train station. Coma patients are more lively.

This film would have been better if Stallone or Van Damme had been the star. Whatever your opinion - he tries.

captainjoe · Post by **captainjoe** » 23 Apr 2007, 01:43

Casey-fucking Ryback.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 23 Apr 2007, 17:24

I find Under Siege 2 really good, its just so much fun, pure entertainment

love the film myself, so silly yet so enjoyable. Katherines amazing as well mind you, she still is now as she grows in every photo you see her in

They are the size of Segals hgead noW!

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 24 Apr 2007, 02:37

Nothing can be that big.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 24 Apr 2007, 03:39

Katherine Heigl's breasts are indeed massive and natural to boot. Still nowhere near as huge as Erika Eleniak's implants were.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 24 Apr 2007, 14:54

I think we need evidence.

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 24 Apr 2007, 16:08

EvaUnit02 wrote:Katherine Heigl's breasts are indeed massive and natural to boot. Still nowhere near as huge as Erika Eleniak's implants were.

In Under Siege? Really? To be perfectly honest, I thought she was just one of those "big naturals", but it is a long time since I last saw the film so my memory may bit a little ropey...

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 24 Apr 2007, 16:09

romerojpg wrote:Katherines amazing as well mind you, she still is now as she grows in every photo you see her in

She's so hot!

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 24 Apr 2007, 17:07

Indeed

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 25 Apr 2007, 15:00

Yummy.

I wouldn't mind giving her a hot beef injection.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 25 Apr 2007, 16:01

But Caskey Fuckin Ryback would kick your ass

it would be worth it mind you.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 25 Apr 2007, 23:32

Nah, he's too fuckin' fat to catch me.

I'm so confident of escape, I might just bone her up the ass in front of him to be annoying...