When Crank was released in the theaters last September, I unfortunately did not make it out to see the movie. Instead I settled for watching the movie on DVD (about a month ago) and found myself impressed by the films cool soundtrack (opening with Quiet Riot – Mental Health), video game references and flashy fast paced cinematography that features chase views (always fun) and abrupt changes in camera views (very often) in addition to adding a slight tilt to the cameras view. The style of the cinematography resembles 1st person shooters in gaming and this is no mistake as the producers were clearly aiming for the movie going – gamers of today (us). The cinematography was also designed to aid the movies storyline which involves Chev (Jason Statham) thrashing around Los Angeles after he discovers that he has been poisoned with the “Beijing Cocktail”, a poison that will kill him in about an hour. Verona (Chev’s rival played by Jose Pablo Cantillo) cleverly poisons Chev while he is unconscious from a baseball bat to the head leaving him with a DVD of what transpired while he was out cold (Verona sticks him with a needle while taunting him). The scene is very entertaining to say the least and kicks the movie into 87 minutes of adrenaline madness as Chev goes on a rampage to track down and kill Verona before the poison kills him. In the process of rampaging around Los Angeles he discovers that adrenaline will keep him from death as long as he keeps it flowing in high doses. He does everything from taking cocaine to slamming energy drinks to injecting himself with epinephrine (adrenaline substitute) to having sex with his girlfriend (Amy Smart – nothing but Eye Candy in this movie) in front of 200 strangers in public (calling the scene crazy is an understatement). He even orders the medical staff that he stole epinephrine from at gun point to use their defibrillators on him to induce mass levels of adrenaline. Crank is a fast paced action ride that has to be accepted for what it is: fun, wild and completely over the top, nothing more and nothing less...

The 360 Video Marketplace version is available in 720p with 5.1 audio. For a 4GB file the movie is visually appealing, especially in comparison to the Blu-Ray version of the movie which is over 25GB in size. The contrast and lighting in the movie is decent, not the best but good for all practical purposes. The lighting is a bit off as it has a strange orange tone at times which is probably the result of simple errors in the encoding process but nevertheless it is noticeable. The hues in the movie are decent but could be better. V for Vendetta (360 Video Marketplace) featured great color for a 6GB file and rivaled the HD-DVD version of the movie. Sometimes the colors in Crank are good and then at times I felt the colors were dull and could have been better. The level of quality in the textures is acceptable. Skin is fairly sharp with the usual suspects strutting their stuff (eyes, pores, and even Jason’s facial hair) and Chev’s girlfriend (played by Amy Smart) looked fantastic wearing her underwear when Chev arrives to pickup her up before Verona’s thugs arrive to kill her (bonus scenes are always good). The Pool Scene at Carlito’s place is a good benchmark scene for the movie. Water always looks amazing in HD and the pool water glistens in the sunlight and makes you feel as if you were poolside with the cast soaking up the sun after a dip in the pool.

The movies 5.1 audio is loud and pleasing with very good center channel volume (always important). High and Mid range sounds are sharp and near-ear piercing during fight scenes and the scene in which Chev fires his gun at the officers in the hospital. The movie has solid bass levels which were on display during the mall scene when Chev slams his car onto the escalator with the car landing on its side (very sastisifying). The sound of metal meeting metal was intense with the end result shaking my floor (to my satisfaction).

Overall, the 360 Video Marketplace version of Crank is well worth the 480 points (6.00). Even if the Blu-Ray version is slightly better, the ability to download and begin watching without ever leaving your living room is very appealing and outweighs some of the visual differences. Hopefully Microsoft and the Movie Studios will continue to bring hit movies to the Video Marketplace in a timely fashion.

__________________
Editor - www.hidef.com

"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472