Category Archives: Blu-Ray

May 22 2012

Unknown

Viewed – 21 May 2012  Blu-ray

With Liam Neeson enjoying a sort of resurgence in popularity following a spate of hit thrillers, pretty much anything starring the Irish-born actor is essential viewing of late.  Although at the time this garnered very mixed reviews and seemed to be wrongly marketed as a cheap cash-in to Taken … therefore, I have been quite hesitant to check this one out.

Neeson plays Dr Martin Harris, on route to a summit in Berlin with his beautiful wife Liz (January Jones – Mad Men, X-Men First Class), who is involved in a car accident, and on awakening from a coma four days later, discovers that someone has taken his identity, and not even his wife recognises him.  A great set up, that although causing strong deja-vu with this viewer (Frantic, anyone?), immediately grabbed my attention.  As expected Liam Neeson is very good as the confused Doctor, handling car chases, fist fights and a compelling situation with ease.  Supporting him is a perfectly angelic January Jones and also a street-wise Diane Kruger as the cab driver who comes to Neeson’s aid.

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan) with similar slick production values and European setting to Taken, this may lack the emotional intensity of that movie and much of the ‘cool’ but still offers a gripping 2 hours of entertainment that’s really hard not to enjoy.  The ending did sort of screw with my perceptions, leaving me a tad conflicted … and the villains are out of the shady government cookie cutter.  Yet if you’re after an above average thriller with intrigue, twists and quality action, if short on surprises … this will do the job nicely.

Verdict:  3.5 /5

May 5 2012

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Viewed – 04 May 2012  Blu-ray

Despite what some may say regarding actor Tom Cruise’s much publicised private life and Scientology beliefs, I have always considered him the very embodiment of a movie star.  He has the looks, the charisma, the acting ability and presence of a true Hollywood talent, and I personally have enjoyed many of his movies.  So naturally this latest instalment in the hit action franchise was a tantalising prospect … the only question remains, has Cruise, now approaching 50 still got what it takes to be a credible action star?

When a mission to Moscow goes wrong and the IMF team are accused of terrorism, Cruise and his band of agents are forced to go underground in order to track down the real culprit and prevent a nuclear threat.  Cruise is super-agent Ethan Hunt, this time joined on his mission by computer expert Simon Pegg, fellow agent Jeremy Renner and token hot stuff bad ass babe Paula Patton.  Directed by Brad Bird in his live action debut following animation hits The Iron Giant and The Incredibles this is slick and exciting stuff, with several stand-out action sequences including a veritgo-inducing sequence on the worlds tallest building in Dubai, as well as car chases, fist fights and lots of cool gadgets.

Unsurprising for a Mission Impossible film, the plot gets a touch complicated, and the villains are little more that stereotypical Russian nutjobs.  That being said, it was nice to see Michael Nyqvist in the lead bad-guy role following his turn in the Swedish The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and it’s sequels, but he doesn’t add much to proceedings other than look menacing.  Jeremy Renner on the other hand is quickly becoming one of my favourite actors and is again more than just hired muscle, adding some much-needed depth.  Simon Pegg also delivers in the comedy department with his usual one liners and lovable charm.  Brad Bird directs the action well with a few funny nods to franchise clichés such as a telephone that fails to self-destruct and to top it all, Cruise has lost none of his physical ability or screen charisma over the years.  I’d have loved the Mission Impossible theme to have been better implemented (why do they keep remixing it?) but overall this was a satisfying experience and a great addition to a great franchise.

Verdict:  4 /5

Related articles
Apr 29 2012

Jurassic Park

Viewed – 28 April 2012  Blu-ray

Universal Studios 100th Anniversary Edition

Not many movies have had the monumental impact with the box-office that this enjoyed during the nineties.  Directed by Stephen Spielberg, this was going to be the blue print by which all future summer blockbusters would be judged, and pioneered many of the effects we now take for granted.  Two Paliantologists (Sam Neill and Laura Dern) are called to a remote island by a wealthy tycoon (Richard Attenborough) in order to over see the imminent opening of a theme park.  Yet this one isn’t anything like Disney.  This one has living, breathing dinosaurs as it’s star attractions.  Of course something always goes wrong, and soon its a battle to survive against some of the deadliest creatures to ever roam the earth.

At its basic level, this is a monster movie, but with a director like Spielberg behind the camera, it quickly becomes so much more … uplifting, awe-inspiring, exciting as hell and to some extent magical.  He is a grand master at the high-concept picture, being responsible for the likes of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and Jaws, to name but two of his many achievements.  Add to this some of the finest effects work of their day (that still look good now, even if day-time shots reveal the CGI a bit too much) and set-pieces that have become Hollywood legend (the amazing T-rex attack especially).

The movie does crawl in the quieter moments and there’s too much exposition at the start, but along with some enjoyable performances (with a memorable Jeff Goldblum) and that stirring score from John Williams … this still works magnificently and for me, remains one of the finest blockbusters ever made.

The Blu-ray picture quality whilst not jumping off the screen as I had hoped, still has enough ‘pop’ to satisfy, seems free of noise-redcution and is in pretty good condition.  More importantly the DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack positively roars and really enhances a movie that for me, was always about its sound design not just its effects.  Saying that, in HD some of the CGI is showing its age, but overall this is a movie that has stood the test of time fairly well.  Extras-wise we get a 3 part documentary (not 6 part as stated on the sleeve) as well as archive featurettes, interviews and galleries.  I would have liked a Spielberg commentary, but apparently he doesn’t like doing them, so that isn’t going to happen.  Overall as a tribute to a classic movie, this could have been better, but as it stands, many fans will still find plenty to like.

Verdict:

(the movie) 4 /5

(the Blu-ray) 3.5 /5

Related articles
Apr 24 2012

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Viewed – 23 April 2012  Blu-ray

I don’t normally agree with remakes of foreign movies, but in the case of this much-anticipated American adaptation, I have a major reason to make an exception … David Fincher.  Arguably one of the best directors of the moment, who has crafted some of the finest movies of the last ten years of so, namely Seven, Zodiac and Fight Club.  Newcomer Rooney Mara takes on the role of Lisbeth Salander, a computer hacker for hire who gets involved with disgraced magazine journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) when he is hired to investigate a 40 year mystery by an ageing business tycoon (Christopher Plummer).  Blomkvist soon discovers he’s been given the job of piecing together the clues revolving around the disappearance and suspected murder of the tycoon’s niece, Harriet, and subsequently uncovers the shady dealings and murky past of a wealthy but complex family.

Fincher’s adaptation of the acclaimed novel by the late Stieg Larsson, and the first part of the famed ‘millennium trilogy’ that also comprises The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest, seems faithful not only to the book but also to the Swedish movie of the same name that made a cult star out of actress Noomi Rapace.  For me having seen both versions, I found this the hardest to follow.  Set like the book and the other movie in Sweden and with the same character names, locations etc, I think the Swedish version actually benefits from being subtitled, and many of the places, names and little details come across clearer when you’re seeing them printed at the bottom of the screen.  This of course doesn’t help Fincher’s movie as the strong accents and foreign names are harder to grasp when hearing them as opposed to reading them.  This version also differs in several key areas, such as how Blomkvist and Salander finally get to work together, how Salander’s mother isn’t even featured, but replaced by a stronger focus on her former ‘guardian’, and the ending is changed significantly, proving much less satisfying.  It puzzled me why Fincher made these changes, but having not read the book, I can’t say which movie is the most faithful.  Performances-wise Rooney Mara is excellent as Lisbeth and every bit as tough and complex as Noomi Rapace was, even if I felt I warmed to Rapace’s performance quicker.  Daniel Craig however, although likable brings nothing that Michael Nyqvist didn’t achieve back in 2009, failing to stamp his own identity on the character.

To conclude this is a fascinating effort from David Fincher who brings plenty of style and his usual attention to detail to proceedings, even if for a film-maker of his calibre, I was left wanting.  Considering the hype of the books or the acclaim of the Swedish movie, this should have been the definitive version … but for me, just felt competent rather than truly blowing me away.  Yet there is still enough here to make me wonder just what we’ll get with the two proposed sequels, which I’m already guessing could turn out superior.

Verdict:  3 /5

Incidentally, a post on the blog ProdigalFilmStudent has compared both movie adaptations, which makes for fascinating reading, but as can be expected, is spoilerifick.

Related articles
Apr 22 2012

Apocalypse Now

Viewed – 21 April 2012  Blu-ray

Collector’s edition

When it comes to war movies, few have the legendary legacy of this 1979 epic.  Directed by cinematic auteur Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather Trilogy) and starring Martin Sheen as a grizzled soldier whose seen too much and done too much.  This tells the story of a planned assassination against a rogue Colonel (Marlon Brando) during the backdrop of the Vietnam war.  Perhaps in subsequent years, this movie has become more famous for its trouble production than its majesty on the screen, which is a shame as this is shot in a stunningly poetic style, with great use of music from the likes of The Doors to The Rolling Stones, that really hammers home the madness of one of the most unpopular wars in history.

Coppola has created a grand vision, that although a little lacking in the pace department, and with an over-use of moody voice over, is filled with diverse characters (including a scene stealing Dennis Hopper) and stunning set-piece battle scenes (the ride of the Valkyries comes to mind – Charley Don’t Surf!) with simply gorgeous cinematography from Vittorio Storaro.  If comparing it to the likes of Full Metal Jacket, Platoon etc, it doesn’t quite have the edge for me, but instead has its own identity, and the humbling dream-like mood at times certainly packs a punch.  Combine this with quality performances, most notably Sheen but also an enigmatic Brando in a memorable final act – this still deserves its place in movie history.

This Blu-ray release has been overseen by the Director himself, and it shows.  This 70mm filmed movie explodes with colour and detail, making it one of the best I have seen.  In places the movie does show its age, but surprisingly comes to life more in the night scenes than anywhere else.  Close-up detail is good and overall the image is clean and very enjoyable.  Add to this impressive sound from the DTS HD Master Audio Soundtrack, as this was one of the first movie’s to pioneer 5.1 sound, with the action and the music really delivering.  Extras for this 3 disk edition are exhaustive.  We have both versions of the movie on the first disk (I watched the theatrical cut), both with an audio commentary from Coppola.  We also get the feature-length documentary The Heart Of Darkness, as well as a wealth of interviews, featurettes, image galleries, trailers and much more.  One of the finest Blu-ray releases yet.

Verdict:

(the movie) 4 /5

(the Blu-ray) 5 /5

Related articles