It has taken me so long to get around to Dario Argento’s The Card Player. This is coming from a huge fan of Argento’s work. After hearing many bad & mixed things regarding this later years entry into Argento’s filmography. Turns out, I was surprised because this film isn’t his best work but is not his worst either. That should probably go to Dracula 3D.
There’s good, there’s bad! Considering the colour pallets and flair of Argento’s earlier work the Card player does feel a little flat and lacking in innovative shots. However there is some of that Argento flair in there. It’s used sparingly compared to his earlier works. The story follows a police detective and her team, as they try to hunt a sadistic poker playing killer. The problem is if they loose the online poker match, then the killer will kill again. The final senes are done well and things become quite tense when the detective and the killer do battle on a live train track. What could possibly go wrong?
The new 4K has been released by American film label Vinegar Syndrome and is a stunning release with it’s great transfer and awesome looking yellow slipcover artwork.
Movie Score: 3/5
Release Score 4/5