KINO LORBER STUDIO CLASSICS RELEASES THE FINAL TWO INSTALLMENTS IN THE INCREASINGLY INSANE "DEATH WISH" FRANCHISE TO BLU-RAY DISC!
Along with Chuck Norris, Charles Bronson (aka "the other Chuck") was a major staple of Cannon Films fare, as well as numerous action films and Westerns! But his most famous role was likely vigilante Paul Kersey from the DEATH WISH series.
Initially a proud conscientious objector, Kersey begins meting out his own brand of justice on the crime-riddled streets of New York City after the murder of his wife and sexual assault of his daughter. Bronson's character would then swiftly evolve into a one-man army that took on entire street gangs and drug cartels by the series' end!
Some of you may already own previous DEATH WISH 4 and 5 Blu-rays (both sequels have previously been released by MGM and Umbrella Entertainment) and may want to skip out on these new Kino discs. But if you have two empty spots by DEATH WISH, DEATH WISH 2, and DEATH WISH 3 on your movie shelves, it's time to fill in those gaps!
DEATH WISH 4: THE CRACKDOWN (1987)
Synopsis: Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson), who is no stranger to vigilante justice, is pulled back into the underworld of Los Angeles when the daughter of his new girlfriend, Karen (Kay Lenz - WHITE LINE FEVER, HOUSE), dies after an overdose of crack cocaine. Intent on seeing justice served, Paul goes after the kingpin who ultimately supplied the crack. As he hunts down the kingpin's minions, Paul starts taking out a large part of the city's drug-dealing population on a violent killing spree.
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 99 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Extras:
- Audio Commentary by Film Historian Paul Talbot, the Author of Bronson's Loose!
- Theatrical Trailer
- Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase!
It doesn't seem like any effort was made to do a new 4K transfer/restoration of this film, and the sparse extras appear to have been ported over from Umbrella Entertainment's Blu-ray double feature. So if you already own this movie, feel free to make a hard pass. But if you're a completionist that is lacking this sequel, and you don't mind spending $17 - $20, then grab a copy now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from KINO LORBER!
DEATH WISH 5: THE FACE OF DEATH (1994)
Synopsis: Famed vigilante Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) takes his girlfriend, Olivia (Lesley-Anne Down - NOMADS, BEASTMASTER III: THE EYE OF BRAXUS), out to dinner and proposes to her. She accepts but is soon assaulted by a thug (Robert Joy - AMITYVILLE 3D, MILLENNIUM, THE DARK HALF), causing irreparable disfigurement.
The thug is an associate of Olivia's ex-husband, mobster Tommy O'Shea (Michael Parks - THE EVICTORS, NIGHTMARE BEACH), who is terrorizing Olivia in an effort to discourage her from testifying against him. When the coercion gets worse, Kersey takes a ruthless stand and vows to hunt O'Shea down.
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 95 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
- Audio Commentary by Film Historian Paul Talbot, the Author of Bronson's Loose!
- Theatrical Trailer
- Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase!
Again, there's not really much here to get excited for, and if you already own DEATH WISH V: THE FACE OF DEATH, then you won't need to bother with this release. However, if you don't already have it at home, then by all means pick up a copy to polish off your DEATH WISH collection! This disc should cost between $17 - $20 and can be easily obtained from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or direct from KINO LORBER!
