7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Cornered by the DEA, convicted New York drug dealer Montgomery Brogan reevaluates his life in the 24 remaining hours before facing a seven-year jail term.
Starring: Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna PaquinDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish 2.0 is surround encoded
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
With Disney's two-volume, four-movie Spike Lee Joint Collection, three additional films from the prolific director make their Blu-ray debut. Both sets are something of a mixed bag, albeit for different reasons. Vol. 1 features masterfully written and performed, low-key character study 25th Hour (2002) and the mismatched but compelling He Got Game (1998), each of which showcase a distinct side of Lee's talents and vision. Easily the most tempting of the collection, Vol. 1 may be an odd pairing, but it's one that represents the filmmaker at an interesting intersect in his career; before the likes of Oldboy (2013) -- an abysmal remake in every conceivable way -- left viewers questioning whether Lee still, erm, got game. Vol. 2 is the trickier collection, with excellent but oft-overlooked period piece Summer of Sam (1999) dragged down by misguided war drama Miracle at St. Anna (2008), a late career misfire first released in high definition in 2009 (the only film previously available on BD).
Completests will no doubt want to acquire Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, while other longtime Lee fans will lament the fact that the films haven't been granted individual releases (particularly for those who already own Miracle and are only looking to pick up Summer). Thankfully, notable AV presentations and newly recorded audio commentaries will help ensure almost everyone get's their money's worth.
I was more pleased with 25th Hour's 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer than that of any other presentation in the two-volume Spike Lee Joint Collection. True to its source elements and faithful to Lee and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto's every last grainy, gritty intention, the film looks as good as it conceivably could. The only issue being the slightest hint of ringing, which is both infrequent and negligible. Lee's bleached palette and color timing has been preserved, backed by perfectly fitting saturation and deep, inky black levels. Contrast is cooked to the point of severely crushing shadows but, again, it traces back to aesthetic choices, not a shortcoming in the remaster or encode. Detail is quite striking too; more so than I anticipated. Edges are clean, natural and nicely defined, textures are refined and revealing, and grain is intact and unhindered. Softness plays a role, but only as Lee and Prieto dictate. Moreover, macroblocking, banding, aliasing and other distractions are MIA. Like most of the director's films, 25th Hour isn't a polished, pristine, digitally shot picture. It's cinematic. Filmic. An utterly entrancing work of 35mm art.
Though a touch front-heavy, the DTS-HD Master Audio that accompanies 25th Hour complements Disney's video presentation wonderfully. Dialogue is intelligible and carefully prioritized at all times, even when threatened by the huffing and puffing of the living, breathing organism that is Spike Lee's New York. LFE output is subdued but assertive, lending itself fully when called upon, and the rear speakers follow suit; dutifully and diligently delivering ambient effects until the film's sound design requires more aggression. The soundfield is quite immersive, despite its low-key nature, and directionality and channel pans are reliable and effective.
Of the four movies available as part of two-volume Spike Lee Joint Collection, 25th Hour is perhaps the most deserving of a standalone Blu-ray release. Not only because of the merits of the film, which are many, but because the BD is loaded with value thanks to a terrific video presentation (the best of the bunch by my estimation), a strong DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track and a lengthy supplemental package that includes three audio commentaries (the most enticing of them newly recorded). Disney missed an opportunity here. Although being forced into also purchasing He Got Game -- a fine film in its own right -- shouldn't be cause for any real concern.
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