No Holds Barred is silly and yet a lot fun with the overacting from Hulk Hogan and Tommy “Tiny” Lister and Kurt Fuller milks his villainous scenes whenever possible reminding you why the 1980s was such a glorious time for overkill in the acting department.
No Holds Barred
(1989)
Genre(s): Sports, Comedy, Drama
RLJ Entertainment | PG13 – 94 min. – $19.98 | April 1, 2014
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Thomas J. Wright Writer(s): Dennis Hackin (written by) Cast: Hulk Hogan, Joan Severance, Kurt Fuller, Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister, David PaymerTheatrical Release Date: June 2, 1989 DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1) |
THE MOVIE
Plot Outline: When world wrestling champion Rip Thomas (HULK HOGAN) refuses to join a competing network, an evil executive (KURT FULLER) creates a new program, “The Battle of the Tough Guys,” where rules don’t exist and men engage in an all-out brawl for money. After a murdering ex-convct by the name of Zeus (TOMMY “TINY” LISTER) comes out on top as the toughest man, an ultimate title match with Flip is the TV network’s best chance for big ratings. But when Rip refuses the challenge and his brother is roughed-up as a consequence, the world champion has no choice but to teach Zeus a lesson in a final No Holds Barred.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.25/5
Summerslam Match (29:51; SD) is a fight taking place in 1989 between Zeus & Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake.
“No Holds Barred” Steel Cage Match (18:12; SD) is another battle fight with Savage/Zeus and Hogan/Beefcake.
Photo Gallery
Previews – Barricade, Bending the Rules, The Chaperone, Inside Out, Knucklehead, Legendary, The Reunion, That’s What I Am
VIDEO – 3.75/5
No Holds Barred makes its debut on Blu-ray presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and has been given a digitally remastered 1080p high-definition transfer. Considering the kind of movie this is and the era was filmed, I found the picture to be relatively good looking with decent detail levels and colors appear to be well balanced. However, the noise level is on the splotchy side and might not be the prettiest looking on the smaller screen but it’s a good upgrade over its DVD counterpart I’m sure.
AUDIO – 4.0/5
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track displays the numerous fights in all their glory along with the classic 1980s score by Jim Johnston. Although the LFE was relatively low key, the other channels get a fair amount of use, especially the center speaker where the main action is funneled to and rear speakers relegated for ambient noises and the aforementioned score.
OVERALL – 2.5/5
Overall, No Holds Barred is silly and yet a lot fun with the overacting from Hulk Hogan and Tommy “Tiny” Lister and Kurt Fuller milks his villainous scenes whenever possible reminding you why the 1980s was such a glorious time for overkill in the acting department. The new Blu-ray released by RLJ offers new HD transfers and, for fans of the WWF, two fights to go along with a photo gallery.
Published: 04/09/2014