5.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.8 |
A man involved in a horrific car crash is pronounced dead, only to come back to life an hour and a half later, claiming to have seen Heaven.
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Kate Bosworth, Dwight Yoakam, Catherine Carlen, David Clyde CarrImaginary | 100% |
Drama | 71% |
Supernatural | Insignificant |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.38:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
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 | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
According to Christian belief, the physical death of the ephemeral body is the beginning of eternal spiritual life, a life lived away from the pains and ills of the world, replaced with, for believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior, eternal salvation and endless joy in Heaven. The world is full of people who have claimed to witness these glories firsthand, people who have suffered life-threatening trauma that's seen their souls exit their bodies and presented with a fleeting glimpse of the wonders that await in the promised afterlife. Two such stories have recently been made into films, both sourced from books of the same name: Director Randall Wallace's Heaven Is For Real, the story of a young, sickly boy who is taken to Heaven before being returned to health on Earth; and 90 Minutes in Heaven, Director Michael Polish's (The Astronaut Farmer) story of one man's deadly automobile accident, his slow and painful recovery, and his accounts of God's kingdom. While 90 Minutes in Heaven isn't quite as polished as Heaven Is For Real or so family-friendly considering all the blood and, perhaps more important, darker themes that course through its first two acts, it's a quality film that reinforces positive notions of hope and endurance -- which will resonate even with nonbelievers -- and the spiritual helping hands that can help pull anyone through the most difficult tragedy.
The emotional wounds will prove harder to overcome than the physical wounds in '90 Minutes in Heaven.'
90 Minutes in Heaven's 1080p transfer, sourced from a digital shoot, looks quite nice all around. The image reveals fine detailing in a hint of smoothness but enjoys good, complex facial definition, including pores, Don's mustache, and even some depth and intricate detail on wounds, particularly the heavy bruising effect makeup that covers his right eye for much of the movie. Basic textures around the hospitals and his home, such as linens, reveal positive, lifelike definition. An early film woodland sequence is also impressive, with plenty of aggressively detailed tree trunks and foliage. Colors are excellent, with that purple bruising standing apart from an otherwise bland hospital room and Don's peach but wounded skin. Red blood and Don's red Taurus enjoy excellent shading. Warm wooden pews and burgundy carpet in the church are both full and satisfying. Black levels raise no alarms. Very minor banding and noise are evident in places but won't bother most viewers. This is a solid all-around presentation from Universal.
90 Minutes in Heaven features a healthy and active DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Gentle rain saturates the listening area to start, increasing in intensity and realistically pelting Don's car -- heard in every speaker -- before the wreck. The heavy crash yields a positive deep weight, supported by the sounds of flying debris scattering around the stage. Musical definition is fine, flowing freely and spaciously and swelling with gusto in key moments. Light atmospheric details, particularly in the hospital and in the form of machine beeps and footfalls, help draw the audience into that environment. Later, a joyful din fills the stage at a birthday party (which also includes the anachronistic presentation of "I Hope You Dance"). Basic dialogue is healthy and firm with positive center placement and prioritization. Light reverberation fills churches on a couple of occasions. It's not a very flamboyant track, but it's naturally immersive and precise.
90 Minutes in Heaven contains two featurettes and a spot for Giving Films charities. A voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy is included with
purchase.
90 Minutes in Heaven is the first from Giving Films, a production outfit affiliated with the nonprofit Family Christian retail stores that donate all profits to charity. And much like that mission statement, the movie inspires hope and a positive outlook on life. It champions the power of kindness, compassion, and faith. It shows the value of belief in oneself, family, friends, and, of course, a higher power and a better place. It's a bit too dark -- physically and emotionally -- for younger audiences, but credit this Christian film, like Ragamuffin, for not pulling too many punches and offering a more honest and realistic look at life's hardships and how faith can turn even the most dire situation into something positive. Universal's Blu-ray release of 90 Minutes in Heaven delivers very good video and audio. A couple of featurettes are included. Recommended.
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