DVD Corner's blog

White Elephant Blu-ray Review

“White Elephant” is your standard generic crime-drama.

Directed by Jesse V. Johnson and written by Johnson and Erik Martinez, “White Elephant” begins with a hitman’s (Carlos) crime being witnessed by 2 cops. Not wanting any loose ends, mob boss Arnold hires aging mob enforcer (Gabriel) and Carlos to take them out. One such cop (Vanessa) finds herself on the run, but she just might find help from an unlikely source. Elsewhere in the story are crucial subplots involving a mob feud and Gabriel’s late wife. 

“White Elephant” is the type of crime-drama that just writes itself as it has every cliche in the book. Gun violence (including an over-the-top climactic shootout)? Check. Police corruption? Check. Money exchanges? Check. Mob boss at a restaurant? Check. Vague deals and conversations? Check. Hero cop? Check. Inept hitmen? Check. It’s all here and it all adds up to an instantly forgettable viewing experience.

It’s clear that “White Elephant” is trying to coast on star power alone and, to be fair, there’s a strong cast here. Bruce Willis and John Malkovich don’t have much to do (and many of their scenes are filmed separately from other stars), but Michael Rooker turns in a genuinely good performance. In fact, he’s the best part of the entire movie by a longshot. Even with such a lousy role with a tacked on character arc for dramatic effect, Rooker commits to the part like the class act he is. Olga Kurylenko is also solid as Vanessa. Her scenes with Rooker are among the film’s best. One actor that does not fare well is Vadhir Derbez. To put it nicely, he certainly does not have the acting talent of his father Eugenio Derbez (of “CODA” fame).      

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. Grade: B+

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. Grade: B+

The only extras are RLJE Films trailers.

July 25, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Michael Rooker, Olga Kurylenko, White Elephant Blu-ray Review