Synopsis: The crew on a off shore oil rig located between Korea and Japan unknowing help release a alien entity that then proceeds to kill them one by one.

Over the last few years in cinema the 3-D format has been all the rage. With countless film being made specifically for this format and several older films being newly converted for the 3-D format. Surprisingly though the 3-D format has not made its way into several cinema Mecca’s. Most notably South Korea, that is until Sector 7 which is billed as the first Korean film to have been shot in 3-D.

Narrative wise, Sector 7 is not to ambitious of film as its borrows liberally from two of Sci-Fi cinema’s more revered film’s Alien and The Abyss. With this film main concern being more about exploiting the 3-D format and caution is thrown to the wind where the plot is concerned. Also at just over 110 minutes the film’s pacing proves to be an issue. There are many lulls along the way and the film’s opening act spends way too much time explaining who everyone is and what their motivations are? Where these things are the foundation of most films, they are not necessary in regards to this film.

The one area that this film entrenches itself like other war films. Is how it clearly takes one side, in this case the side of South Korea. Fortunately this slant in perspective never detracts from the overall message that the filmmakers are trying to achieve.

And if the anemic plot was not bad enough. The film’s special effects are laughable bad, who knows maybe this was intentional (though I doubt it). And the performances from the entire cast are rather lackluster. With the only performance of note being this film’s leading lady Ji-won Ha (Sex is Zero, Tidal Wave). Ultimately Sector 7 is mediocre Sci-Fi / action adventure that surely would have been forgotten, if it were for the fact that this is South Korea’s first foray into the 3-D format.

The BluRay:

Sector 7 comes on a 50 GB dual layer BluRay. The film is presented in a 1080 progressive anamorphic widescreen. This is a very good transfer that does a great retaining the intended look of the film. There are no issues with compression or DNR. Also the 3-D version is very effective and takes full advantage of the format.

This release comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Korean, a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in English and a Dolby Digital Stereo mix in English. All three audio mixes are in great shape. With the DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Korean easily being the strongest of the lot. Not only does dialog come through with crystal clear clarity. The more ambient aspects of the soundtrack are well represented. Also range wise this mix is dynamic and appropriate robust when it needs to be. Also included with this release are removable English subtitles that are easy to follow and error free.

Extras for this release include a trailer for the film (2 minutes 35 seconds – letterboxed widescreen, in Korean with English subtitles), four brief ‘Behind the scenes’ segments, ‘Teamwork’ (2 minutes – letterboxed widescreen, in Korean with English subtitles), ‘Workers’ (3 minutes 9 seconds – letterboxed widescreen, in Korean with English subtitles), ‘Actress’ (2 minutes 3 seconds – letterboxed widescreen, in Korean with English subtitles) and ‘Making of’ (5 minutes 26 seconds – letterboxed widescreen, in Korean with English subtitles). Topics covered in these segments include, the film’s special effects and the cast & crew reminiscence about their onset experiences. Overall Sector 7 gets a strong release from Shout Factory.