A few words about…™ – Ambulance — in 4k UHD

I presumed, going in, that Michael Bay’s Ambulance, produced for a paltry 40 million or thereabouts, might not measure up to his other works.

In an odd way, and as pure popcorn entertainment, it does.

The entire film is filled with dizzying, flying, swooping, fast-moving camera work, courtesy of Roberto De Angelis (Baby Driver), and those with optical disorders that might lead to nausea should take note.

As I was watching the film, a single thought kept returning – never could have been done in 3-strip Technicolor.

Much of it makes no sense, but who cares. It’s basically a classic “bank heist goes wrong” drama, with more damage and destruction to personal properly than ever plagued The Blues Brothers in Chicago.

I don’t recall any film in which so many police vehicles were trashed.

Photographed in 6 and 8k, (there were no 3-strip cameras on the shoot), and finished as a 4k DI, the resultant 4k UHD disc from Universal is magnificent in every detail.

The audio track, presented in Dolby Atmos, is not only huge, with thundering bass, but places sound beautifully in specific areas around one’s theater.

One very minor point that I found odd. They make a point, early on, of letting the audience know that an FBI agent, played by Keir O’Donnell is gay. I saw zero relevance in this detail to the story.

Image – 5 (Dolby Vision)

Audio – 5 (Dolby Atmos)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors – Beautifully

Makes use of and works well in 4k – 5

Recommended

RAH

Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.

His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.

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Ernest

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Dec 21, 1998
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Very good review I enjoyed the movie based on a bank job that goes wrong. The movie is esentially a 2 hour chase with zillions of vehicle wreckage. The shootout at the bank reminded me of Heat though not as thrilling. If you are looking for a movie with a simple plot and a lot of fast action then Ambulance is for you.
 

Worth

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Nick Dobbs
If this can be made for $40 million, by Michael Bay no less, most movies are ridiculously overpriced.
 

Thomas T

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I must confess I've never seen a Michael Bay movie. I can't count Armageddon because I fell asleep. But this one sounds like it might be fun.
 

Colin Jacobson

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One very minor point that I found odd. They make a point, early on, of letting the audience know that an FBI agent, played by Keir O'Donnell is gay. I saw zero relevance in this detail to the story.

That scene exists so Bay can get in his 90s-era gay mockery.

The scene casts the agent's partner as very stereotypical and intends to derive humor from this.

Bay's not matured since 1998 and that scene's very much part of his oeuvre.
 

Colin Jacobson

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I must confess I've never seen a Michael Bay movie. I can't count Armageddon because I fell asleep. But this one sounds like it might be fun.

No, it's not. It's frantic and annoying and stupid.

I liked Bay circa "The Rock" and "Armageddon" - they were dumb fun.

This one's just dumb. It's so hyperactive that it's irritating and off-putting.

Bay became a self-cliche years ago.
 

Malcolm R

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It's been years, but I recall liking The Island and thinking that was a decent Michael Bay film (Roger Ebert gave it 3 stars). It was released between Bad Boys II and the first Transformers. Pretty good cast, too:

Ewan McGregor
Scarlett Johansson
Djimon Hounsou
Sean Bean
Michael Clarke Duncan
Steve Buscemi
 

JoshZ

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RAH, I believe you have misspelled the title. According to the poster, it is AmbuLAnce. Because apparently it is absolutely critical that the audience must know the movie is set in L.A., and there was no other possible way to convey that information via either the filmmaking or marketing.
 

titch

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It's been years, but I recall liking The Island and thinking that was a decent Michael Bay film (Roger Ebert gave it 3 stars). It was released between Bad Boys II and the first Transformers. Pretty good cast, too:

Ewan McGregor
Scarlett Johansson
Djimon Hounsou
Sean Bean
Michael Clarke Duncan
Steve Buscemi
The Island I recall seeing very well, because it was the last time I suffered a severe migraine and had to leave the theatre before the end - something I've only done twice in my lifetime.
 

mackjay

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I rather liked THE ISLAND--strictly as a popcorn movie. It's the only MB film I've ever seen (I think). I do intend to see AMBULANCE, though (can't resist heist movies).
 

DFurr

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This movie wore me out. Longest chase scene in history!! Not that good of a movie IMO.
 

Wardog555

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We're streaming this movie tonight.
How about the disk instead as it's reference quality and significantly better than a compressed stream?

I specifically waited for the disk so I can watch in the highest quality possible.

It's a pity people like you stream it instead of watching the disk for maximum enjoyment.
 

Robert Crawford

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How about the disk instead as it's reference quality and significantly better than a compressed stream?

I specifically waited for the disk so I can watch in the highest quality possible.

It's a pity people like you stream it instead of watching the disk for maximum enjoyment.
Not cool telling another person how to spend their monies or how they should enjoy their movies, especially in these economic tough times with high inflation.
 
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