Just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean that people are not out to get you. With the explosive growth of the internet and its integration into the security grid via broadband and wireless connectivity, it is not all that far fetched to imagine a scenario where we can all be monitored 24 hours a day without our knowledge. I kept coming back to this while watching the film Echelon Conspiracy, which presents a scenario that may be a bit far-fetched today, but may not be so far-fetched in the not too distant future and makes you ponder how much electronic snooping and eavesdropping by the government is too much, and whether we have reached that level already.
Film
Echelon Conspiracy follows Max Peterson (Shane West) who is a computer security expert who, while on a job in Bangkok, receives a mysterious package containing a new cell phone which provides him with even more mysterious text messages which turn out to be very prophetic, even saving his life. He is intrigued when the messages instruct him to travel to Prague where he is instructed to gamble in the hotel’s casino, where he does very well. This causes him to come to the attention of the head of casino’s security department (Ed Burns) as well as the NSA, which takes him into custody believing him to be involved in an international plot to crack the US security apparatus.
He advised by the NSA operative (Ving Rhames) that he is the latest person to receive these mysterious phones but is the only one they have been able to interrogate as all the others were killed. They enlist Max’s help in trying to track down the source of the mysterious texts and he quickly becomes involved in an international conspiracy with lethal consequences for all involved. While the film is described as a techno-charged action thriller and does indeed have its moments, I thought that the film was a bit too predictable and suffered from a thin and disjointed plot line.
The film starts with a very interesting premise. However, it would have formed the basis of a much better film had the screenplay been better fleshed out with more detail and character development rather than seemingly unconnected action sequences. I nevertheless enjoyed the film and can recommend that you give it a look, but on the basis of a rental only.
Video
I found Echelon Conspiracy to have a very satisfying encode, looking much better than I had anticipated it to look. The film features deep and inky blacks which really makes the image pop and gives the film a very three dimensional image with an excellent sense of depth. Overall clarity was top notch as well with excellent shadow detail. The film also features a rather natural looking color palette with well saturated bright and bold colors. Skin tones look quite nice although at times, they do appear a bit on the golden side. I also found the overall image detail to be very good as well with details such as skin textures well preserved. I was also not able to detect any digital noise reduction as not only were fine facial details well preserved, but so was film grain which was visible during the entire film. All in all, this is a fine looking transfer and is one that will really please fans of the film.
Audio
Fortunately, the audio on this release is every bit as good as the video. This Dolby True HD encode features excellent transparency and imaging with excellent dynamics. The surrounds are also actively engaged throughout the film, providing an excellent sense of immersion, both during the action sequences as well as the quieter interior scenes. Gun shots and car crashes sound very convincing as well with the appropriate weight and heft that one has come to expect in a modern film. It is during these chase and action sequences where this audio encode really shines, totally filling the room with dynamic and bone rattling sound, with excellent front to back and side to side depth.
The only issue I had with the audio here is the dialogue, which sounds just a tad on the thin side compared to the best sounding encodes and the rest of the sound here. However, this is a rather minor quibble that in no way detracts from the overall aural experience presented on this release. The dialogue track is well presented in the mix and is never hard to here, even during the most intense action sequences. Well done.
Special Features
Quite surprisingly, there are no extras included with this release. Not even a trailer. No deleted scenes, no commentaries. Nothing, zilch, nada.
Final Thoughts
While far from a great film, Echelon Conspiracy is an action thriller which does happen to capture your attention and is worth a look as a rental. The fact that is features very good video and audio presentations is an added bonus. Recommended as a rental only.
