Operation: Endgame and After.Life DVD Reviews
Talented casts are wasted in “Operation: Endgame” and “After.Life”.
Truth be told, not much happens in “After.Life” at all. Christina Ricci’s character dies in a car accident and she is told by a creepy funeral director with special powers that she is stuck in limbo between life and death. Ricci’s character, however, thinks she is still alive and soon her boyfriend (played by Justin Long) starts to think she might be alive as well. The question the movie proposes to viewers is, is she dead or not? The real questions viewers should be thinking is “Who cares?” and “Why is Liam Neeson in this?” “After.Life” is a slow, meandering bore with no middle act, no suspense, stilted cringe-worthy dialogue, and endless scenes of Ricci’s character wandering around and whining.
“Operation: Endgame” is a little more ambitious, but equally unappealing. You’d think that a film with a cast containing Rob Corddry, Ving Rhames, Maggie Q, Zach Galifianakis, Emilie De Ravin, Bob Odenkirk, Ellen Barkin, Jeffrey Tambor and the underrated Adam Scott would at least be fun, but alas no. The story of this dark, political spy comedy revolves around two covert spy teams (the Alpha and Omega teams) in a secret underground facility. After the boss is mysteriously killed, the facility goes on lockdown. Everyone has one hour to find a way out. Instead of working together, however, the two feuding teams decide to try and kill one another before the clock runs out.
Without giving away any spoilers, let me just say that the script for “Operation: Endgame” could have been a unique spy comedy, but instead it turns into a, rushed, exposition filled overly serious political slasher film. It doesn’t help that the actual humor in ‘Endgame’ is juvenile and unfunny and that ever character has a one-dimensional quirky trait to them. On top of that, the production values are poor here. The producers clearly spent all of their money on the cast as all we mostly see are a few rooms (or cheap CGI).
Summary: Both “After.Life” and “Operation: Endgame” have intriguing ideas, but they are simply poorly executed films.
The 2.40:1 widescreen picture quality on “After.Life” is arguably the best thing about this entire disc (which isn’t saying much).
Despite the low production values on “Operation: Endgame,” the 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen picture quality is pretty sharp looking thanks to some stand-out cinematography.
The dialogue and music are sufficient enough on “Life’s” Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track.
As for “Operation: Endgame,” the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is a bit on the low side. Dialogue sounds a bit mumbly at times. Generally though, it’s a decent track.
After.Life Extras:
* Theatrical trailer and trailers for “The Disappearance Of Alice Creed,” and “Spartacus: Blood And Sand”.
* “Delving Into The Afterlife: Making Of Featurette” features an interview with the director talking about the concept and film.
* Commentary by co-writer/director Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo. Trust me, you won’t want to hear anything more about this film.
Operation: Endgame Extras:
* Anchor Bay trailers.
* Alternate opening and alternate ending (neither of which are worth watching).
* “Behind The Scenes Of Operation: Endgame” is basically a collection of footage shot on set featuring the cast and crew.
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