In the early days of home entertainment, there were movies made that were given the names DTV or direct to video, these were normally low-budget action or horror films that were capitalising on the then-booming VHS / DVD industry.
Some good films were viewed this way and these days with the advent of streaming etc many films are continuing this tradition and Castle Falls is another example of a direct to video film that is worth checking out.
After decades of neglect, Castle Heights Hospital, this symbol of the city’s segregated past, has been packed with dynamite and is ready to be demolished. No one knows that a gang leader, now in prison, hid the 3 million dollars in cash he stole from his rivals inside the abandoned building.
Now, three desperate parties want the money – a blue collared ex-fighter (Adkins) who finds it while working as part of the demolition crew, a prison guard (Lundgren) willing to do anything to pay for his daughter’s cancer treatment, and a ruthless gang who claim to be the rightful owners. The demolition charges are set, everyone clears out, and the Castle is set to fall in 90 minutes.
Dolph Lundgren also directs in this no-nonsense action film which does not outstay its welcome and has, unlike some other films in the action genre, a decent storyline for you to root for the good guys. Scott Adkins does a great job of playing an ex-MMA fighter out on his luck when his age catches up with him and struggling to make ends meet.
The action when it comes is both satisfying and exciting with both men joining forces to beat the criminal gang to the cash, the ending when it comes is satisfying and surprisingly poignant in places.
The Blu-ray release could not be more basic. The transfer is a good 1080P picture, nothing to complain about at all, and the 5.1 sound mix is good and bombastic. Sadly like many other releases like this, there are no special features, not even a trailer which is sad. A look at how they made it or interviews would have been welcomed.
A good if not surprising action film with two very watchable lead actors.
FILM – 7.5 PICTURE – 8 AUDIO -8 EXTRAS – 0
