BLU-RAY REVIEW: Outcast

[JessHorsley]

Nic Cage and Hayden Christensen's New Middle Ages Adventure Hits Home Video...

There are certain films that you just know the main actors made for a quick paycheck. Sadly, Academy Award winner Nic Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, Con Air) has been doing this more and more lately. In Outcast, a middle ages film set in a fictional (I think?) land, we find Cage joining forces with former rising film star Hayden Christensen (Star Wars prequels) to grow some facial hair, slash some swords, and protect some king and his sister. Seriously, that's the film...

Written by British screenwriter James Dormer (forthcoming Beowulf TV mini-series) and brought to the screen by American stunt man-turned-director Nick Powell, Outcast features some decent action and fun fighting; however, the storyline, characters, and setting aren't all that creative or unique. With Outcast, viewers find the stereotypical low-budget middle ages sword-slasher film with a standard cast of sword-swinging characters: Gallain (Cage) - the old, experienced Crusader seeking redemption and forgiveness and Jacob (Christensen) - the young, brash sword-wielding warrior looking to make a name for himself. Both seeking purpose in life, they combine forces to protect a teenage king (Bill Su Jiahang) and his sister (Liu Yifei) who are avoiding death and dismemberment at the hands of their ruthless older brother (Andy On), who seeks the crown (or royal seal) for himself.

You've probably watched these same characters and seen this same story in one form or another on screen over the last three decades. Here, in Outcast , filmmakers tried to bring something unique to the scene by making the film an international collaboration between American, Chinese and Canadian filmmakers. Unfortunately, it doesn't stand out nearly as much as one would hope.

Best guess? Outcast was made with the goal to be a major draw overseas, where the actors and style might have a larger audience. Unfortunately, here in the USA, Cage continues to make disappointing appearances on screen while Christensen continues to simply take up space with his lack of any real acting talent. In fact, in Outcast, Christensen is sometimes hard to watch - much less believe - as a warrior with a sword, defending those in need of protection. You'd think he'd have gained some experience during Star Wars...but...alas...no. As for the Chinese cast, whom I'm unfamiliar with; they provide decent acting throughout and are even entertaining at times thanks to their martial abilities and style. However, nothing really ever stands out in Outcast, thus leaving the film to be just what the title calls it -- an outcast lost in a sea of movies with the same look and feel.

Awkward as this might sound, the special features on Outcast provide some entertainment. Thanks to three interviews (approx. 50 minutes total), viewers get to see actors Cage and Christensen as well as director Powell talk shop - addressing movie making, scripts, the film's action, facial hair growth (huh?) and the film's limited budget (at least it's addressed). Revealing and even sometimes funny, the interviews are well worth watching if you're going to spend the time watching the movie. Other special features include a 10-minute "Making of Outcast" featurette (which provides a short look at the film's production and some behind-the-scenes footage). Lastly, the film's trailer is also included.

Unless you're a die-hard fan of Nic Cage, Hayden Christensen or you simply have to watch each and every film featuring a warrior wielding a sword in the middle ages, there's really not much unique to see here in Outcast. Oddly enough, producer Jeremy Bolt announced plans to create a sequel to the film, though when or if that will actually happen are still to be determined.

For those who still want to see it, Outcast is available now on Blu-ray and DVD wherever home video is sold

- Jess C. Horsley

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