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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Additional footage
  • Theatrical trailer - Trailers for the following films White Chicks, You Got Served, Suddenly 30, Sniper 3, Breakin' All The Rules
  • Animated menus
  • Behind the scenes footage - Broken Up Into 9 featurettes
  • Outtakes
  • Gag reel
Under The Radar
Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 91 mins . M15+ . PAL

  Feature
Contract

Under The Radar is the follow-up to Evan Clarry’s debut feature Blurred, a film about schoolies week in Queensland, is, all things considered, a safe and by the numbers teen flick; an impressive move forward. The director takes on a mixture of genres here which follows the adventures of a typical surfer-stoner type again set in Queensland thrown into a noir/comedy/thriller ride in the vein of Pulp Fiction and Memento.

It begins with our hero Brandon (Nathan Phillips) involved in a fracas at the local beach with a disabled youth who cuts in on one of his waves. As a result of the assault, Brandon is sentenced to community service at a local home for the Intellectually Disabled, missing out on competing in the local Surf Competition. It is here that he meets up with Adrian (Clayton Watson) a person who suffers from recurring amnesia. You may remember him from two little sequels to the small indie flick The Matrix (He was the annoying kid that had an unhealthy obsession for Keanu Reeves’ Neo). Also joining the cast is Chris Widdows, aka Steady Eddy, playing the role of the enterprising Trevor and the yummy Chloe Maxwell as Jo.

It is here that Brandon sees an opportunity to return to the beach and, all going well, the Surf Competition he was to miss out on by taking Adrian to the beach for the day. Trevor gets whiff of this and blackmails Brandon into taking him with them also. Along the way they pick up Jo hitchhiking who isn’t all that she seems. It is here that Adrian gets involved with a couple of shady types by witnessing them dispose of something in Queensland’s local rainforest. He places the rest of the group in danger and the story goes back and forth as result of Adrian’s amnesia, a plot device similarly used in Memento.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

Given the film’s modest budget you’d be forgiven for thinking that a little Aussie flick couldn’t look so good. Columbia has delivered a disc with reference quality video in my opinion presented in the aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is 16:9 widescreen enhanced. The film is encoded at a healthy bit-rate and it shows! The print used is pristine and vibrant. Detail is razor sharp with only hint of film grain which adds to the noir look of the film and it helps that the transfer is free from any artefacts.

With most of the film’s sequences taking place at night in the country or low-lit sets, the level of darkness rendered is impressive. The Director of Photography wanted to capture what it’s like at night in the country, that real country dark look. The video on the disc is the proof. Blacks hold up well and are really deep adding nicely to the feel of the film.

The only audio track present on the disc is a Dolby Digital 5.1. I was actually pleasantly surprised as it was very immersive with a fair amount of surround activity. The subwoofer was put to good use throughout the feature often to reinforce the action on screen. The surf sequence in the beginning is a good example, in addition to the gunplay in the later half of the film. The dialogue was clear and easy to understand at all times. Overall a very good mix and like the video has been presented at reference standard.

A modest amount of extras here, sadly there is no commentary from the director. But given the quality of his commentary on Blurred, maybe it isn’t such a loss. All extras are presented letterboxed non 16:9 enhanced with Dolby Digital 2.0 Audio at 224 Kb/s.

Deleted Scenes/Alternate Scenes (19:58):
Nine scenes shortened or lifted from the feature. In lieu of a commentary by the director, a static page of text is presented prior to the scene explaining their omission.

Goofs (7:37):
Broken up into four segments comprising of actors stuffing up and cursing like sailors, and what’s involved in sinking a car on cue. Hardly what I would call goofy but it’s there anyhow!

Featurettes (18:38):
Essentially one behind the scenes feature broken up into nine segments, featuring interviews with the actors and crew about the story, the shoot, the stunts, and Queensland’s wet weather!

Trailers:
Oddly the film itself isn’t represented here instead we get trailers for the following films from the Columbia stable: White Chicks, You Got Served, Suddenly 30, Sniper 3, Breakin' All The Rules.

The film itself is a welcome change to the face of Australian film by avoiding the typical colloquialism and quirkiness of recent. The story or the genre might not be anything new but the manner in which it was delivered is to be commended.

Steady Eddy’s performance is a joy to watch, as those who have seen him live should know that he can do comedy in his sleep. But here he also handles the drama with aplomb avoiding the stereotypical disabled character. The rest of the cast also do a reasonable job with what they have. My only criticism with the film is at times I think it didn’t know what it wanted to be. The writer and director appeared to have good intentions, however, I think the editing could have been a little snappier as at times it seemed to drag in certain parts of the story for such a short film, and one that melds a mixture of genres.

Under The Radar is a good way to spend a Saturday night over a beer or three with a pizza. It’s definitely a rental, and maybe a purchase if you’re impressed by it. A top-notch transfer is to be commended


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  •   And I quote...
    "A welcome change to the face of Australian film by avoiding the typical colloquialism and quirkiness of recent. "
    - Anthony Bethell
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-NS780
    • Projector:
          Infocus 4805 DLP Projector
    • Screen:
          LP Morgan Galleria 95" 16:9 fixed screen
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DB795
    • Speakers:
          Sony SS-MF650HM
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony SS-550HM
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SS-550HM
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SA-WM500M
    • Audio Cables:
          MaxCable Optical
    • Video Cables:
          MaxCable Component
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