Of all of the films to put on HD-DVD, "Ultimate Force" somehow made its way to the format. I realize UFC star Mirko Cro-Cop Filipovic may be a big star at the moment, but I somehow doubt that anyone would clamor to buy this brain dead film on HD or any format for that matter.

The plot: After botching an assassination mission, a solider named Sphinx is sent to an island where he must be reconditioned by eliminating 5 foes. Along the way, Mirko begins to discover troubling facts about his employers at the State Intelligence Network. "Ultimate Force" makes the worst Steven Seagal movie seem like Oscar gold. The film is cluttered with lifeless characters and completely inept filmmaking. Director, editor, writer Mark Burson is the definition of an amateur. He can't frame a shot to save his life (look at how the camera swerves to get the actors in the picture), he uses overstylized hyperactive editing to hide his lack of directing skills, and to top it off... he can't even film a fight scene! The only reason "Ultimate Force" was financed was to capitalize on the success of the Jason Bourne series and Mirko's UFC fighting skills, but Burson couldn't even accomplish the simple task of creating an intense fight. All of the fight scenes appear staged and forced. There isn't a shred of energy or realism to them. You're better off tuning into a real UFC fight.

The 1.85:1 widescreen picture quality is predictably grainy, but for an ultra low budget film, it doesn't look half bad in hi-def. The Dolby Digital Stereo track nearly caused my ears to bleed. Not only does it sound like the actors mumble all of their lines, but the sound f/x are cranked up to the max. Bird chirps sound ear piercing, waves sound like tornados, etc.

* Trailer * A 14 minute Mirko Cro-Cop training session. * A 3 minute interview with Mirko Cro-Cop in which he complains about long shooting hours. * A 6:44 "Making Of" that features behind the scenes set footage and interviews with the cast. Be warned, the making of is virtually unwatchable as the quality is atrocious.

The force is not with "Ultimate Force." Stay far away from this disc.