The Film (2/5)

A group of terrorists' attack a swim club building that serves as the training center for the U.S. Olympic team. As there held hostage it seems like all hope is lost. That is until one of the only surviving janitors (Linden Ashby) comes to the rescue.

BLAST (1997) is a direct to video action movie that tries to cash in on the many 90’s DIE HARD clones. And boy is this a dreary and wasteful one. The film comes to us from director Albert Pyun. Pyun has released a huge body of work but is best known to action fans for the Jean-Claude van Damme actioner CYBORG (1989) and the batshit insane NEMESIS (1992). Sadly, BLAST can’t live up to either of those previous hits.

Directed with some polish, the movie falls prey to over stylized missteps. One being a painfully bad soundtrack that never stops. It completely cripples every action scene and leaves the viewer reaching for the mute button. The life’s low budget shows with the lack of special effects and the endless chase scenes through what seems like the same two hallways.

The screenplay plays it too safe and strips the movie from some of the humor that could save it. Direct to video action usually needs something to help them stand out and that is usually some form of humor. Instead we are left with a serious movie that offers us nothing to care about.

In terms of cast, our lead Linden Ashby (MORTAL KOMBAT) is about as lively as a piece of cardboard. In a small and baffling role, Rutger Hauer (BLADE RUNNER) plays a wheelchair bound terrorist expert named Leo, in some truly ugly red face make up. Sadly, the movie wastes him with plenty of terror speeches. But he does have one funny moment involving a wheelchair bomb. Tim Thomerson (TRANCERS, DOLLMAN) makes a few scenes fun in his small cameo.

Audio/Video (3.5/5)

MVD releases an above average transfer of this Direct to Video movie. The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix is a bit of a mess. The music levels spike up a few times and the audio get a little fuzzy. English subtitles are included.

The 1080p HD transfer is a handsome upgrade. The movie shines in the right spots with plenty of gloss. The black levels are smooth and there is no digital noise.

Extras (1/5)

There is a trailer gallery featuring BLAST, CRAZY SIX, WALKING TALL (The remake with The Rock), and LIONHEART.

Overall (2/5)

BLAST is a tired and dull mess. Albert Pyun has directed some fun action movies, sadly this one isn’t one of those. Only for direct to video junkies or Pyun completists.