6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A long-time married couple who've spent their lives together in the same New York apartment become overwhelmed by personal and real estate-related issues when they plan to move away.
Starring: Diane Keaton, Morgan Freeman, Cynthia Nixon, Carrie Preston, Claire van der BoomDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Life has a funny way of working itself out. Through all of the chaos, confusion, big moments, subtle hints, course corrections, grand ideas, successes, failures, and everything else the world can, and does, throw at people, sometimes all it takes is a little bit of insanity to slow the senses down, to let the eyes, ears, heart, and soul take in the bigger picture and realize that there's more to life than the hustle and bustle that defines its surface. Breathe. Sometimes all it takes is to stand back and breathe. Director Richard Loncraine's (Firewall) 5 Flights Up, based on the book Heroic Measures by Jill Ciment, tells the story of life in the modern world by way of a moment in time in the lives of an aging New York couple who slowly realize that they've put more than their apartment up for sale when they enter the topsy-turvy, turn-on-a-dime, react-to-the-moment world of New York real estate wheeling-and-dealing. The film explores a number of themes, broad and delicate alike, through the focused prism of their pending sale, from the current state of the world to the bonds of love and friendship that mean more than anything else pulling them in any number of different ways.
We're home.
5 Flights Up climbs onto Blu-ray with a generally spectacular 1080p transfer. Despite a few soft and drab shots here and there, the image otherwise dazzles with perfect detail and nuanced color. Faces are particularly noteworthy; audiences will feel like they're standing in front of the actors considering the level of raw, intimate detail on display. Various bits around apartments look great too -- little hints of wear and dirt on paint and surfaces -- but it's that facial definition that really excites. Street-level exteriors are likewise dazzling, presenting all sorts of deliciously complex textures to enjoy on buildings and other surfaces. Colors are even and attractive; the palette is naturally diverse and excitingly realistic both inside and outside, both often sun-drenched. Skin tones appear accurate and black levels raise no alarms. The presentation offers no egregious examples of banding, blocking, noise, or other unwanted intrusions. This is an excellent presentation from Universal.
5 Flights Up features a fine DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track is very well spaced and naturally immersive. Music spreads nicely and enjoys light surround support in addition to its natural lifelike clarity. The track springs to life in a number of locations with a plethora of accurate environmental support effects. Honking horns, wailing sirens, whirling helicopters, and other assorted city-specific effects fill the stage with every outdoor scene. Various interiors, notably the veterinary clinic and apartments bustling with prospective buyers, also feature a natural, filled-in sense of place. Dialogue is even and consistently placed in the front-center, yielding good, natural clarity in all but a few early lines when it's challenged by, and slightly lost under, music. Otherwise, this is a fine overall listen from Universal.
Universal's Blu-ray release of 5 Flights Up contains no bonus content. A voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy is included in the Blu-ray case.
5 Flights Up is a real charmer, a film that manages to blend easy access, likable characters, a simple core story, and deeper themes into one approachable, lovable movie. Also blessed with a quick-witted script, superb performances, and effortless direction, 5 Flights Up should leave audiences satisfied, smiling, and feeling like they've made a couple of new friends. Universal's Blu-ray release of 5 Flights Up is disappointingly absent any kind of extra content, but video and audio qualities are great. Highly recommended.
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