Aftermath is a surprisingly well done drama featuring a few solid performances, most notably, Arnold Schwarzenegger showcasing some tenderness and honorable mention to Scoot McNary.
Aftermath
(2017)
Genre(s): Drama
Lionsgate | R – 94 min. – $24.99 | June 6, 2017
Date Published: 05/31/2017 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.75/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Roman’s (ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER) life is changed forever the day he loses his wife and daughter in a plane crash. The same is true for Jake (SCOOT MCNARY), the air traffic controller who inadvertently caused the accident. Devastated, Jake moves away from his own family — wife Christina (MAGGIE GRACE) and son Samuel (JUDAH NELSON) — and assumes a new identity. Both men attempt to move on from the tragedy, but Roman soon finds that he cannot live with his new reality without confronting the man responsible.
Quick Hit Review: I never considered Arnold Schwarzenegger to be a ‘great’ actor, sure had worked well within the confines of the sci-fi and/or action genre where over the years he’s been pigeonholed, with the occasional comedy in between (Twins, Jingle All the Way, Junior), where he’s more than prospered. But now going on 71 years old (!), it would appear he’s transitioning to more meaty, dramatic roles with 2015’s Maggie and now Aftermath. I wasn’t as impressed with Maggie but here, he actually gave a rather heartfelt performance. No, it’s not Academy Award worthy or anything, but still really carries the film. Along with Schwarzenegger, the supporting cast does well in their respective roles. First, Scoot McNary delivers in the other dramatic role, as a man who must live with 200+ lives due to a mistake, not one of incompetence but a very unfortunate series of events. Maggie Grace plays his wife whom has to deal with a husband living in a daze (one scene finds him serving uncooked eggs to his son).
Aftermath is a slow burn of a drama that more excels on its performances than story or even direction, by Elliott Lester (upcoming Sleepwalker), and there was a bit too of an obvious metaphor going on with the intercutting of two planes headed for certain disaster as we move towards the finale, which in itself was surprising. But even so, this was a well made film that showed Schwarzenegger in a new light. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.75/5 |
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This release comes with a matted slip cover. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Audio Commentary – Director Elliott Lester and Producer Eric Watson deliver a basic yet still informative track outlaying a variety of topics from working with the actors and analyzing story elements. Interviews (7:24; HD) – There are two separate interviews, one with Lester and the other with director of photography Pieter Vermeer. Trailer (2:22; HD) Previews – Imperium, Patriot’s Day, Solace, Extortion, Maggie |
VIDEO – 4.0/5 |
| Aftermath is presented with a 2.40 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. The picture quality is, mostly good. Given the tone of the story, this isn’t the most brightly lit film and thus doesn’t really have much of a pop; even daylight scenes aren’t exactly brilliant. Still, detail is fairly sharp and it’s at least a serviceable transfer. |
AUDIO – 3.75/5 |
| On a similar note, the included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is on the standard side, but effective enough. 99% of the film is either dialogue-heavy or filled with ambient noises and such, so most of it is funneled through the center speaker with the front and rear channels being relegated for off-screen noises or the dramatic score. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
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Overall, Aftermath is a surprisingly well done drama featuring a few solid performances, most notably, Arnold Schwarzenegger showcasing some tenderness and honorable mention to Scoot McNary. The Blu-ray released by Lionsgate offers up good video/audio transfers though the features are on the thin side. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.