7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
Onoff is a famous writer who hasn't published any new books for quite some time and has become a recluse. When he is picked up by the police one stormy night...
Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Roman Polanski, Sergio Rubini (I)Foreign | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Giuseppe Tornatore's "A Pure Formality" a.k.a. "Una Pura Formalità" (1994) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The only bonus feature on the disc is an exclusive new audio commentary by entertainment journalist and author Bryan Reesman. In French, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Such an honor to meet the great Onoff!
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, A Pure Formality arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
The release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by StudioCanal. It is a pretty good organic master, but it comes with limitations that are quite easy to identify even on a midsize screen. For example, delineation and clarity can fluctuate quite a bit, though both are also impacted by the stylistic choices that were made to have the film look as gloomy and dark as it does. In most cases the restricted lighting is the main factor that alters delineation and clarity, but it is very easy to tell that a newer master would significantly improve both and by default depth as well. The good news is that there are no traces of problematic digital adjustments such as sharpening and contrast boosting, so while not optimal the film's overall appearance is still quite nice. The color scheme is stable, but the primaries and the supporting nuances can be fresher and better balanced. Image stability is very good. Some minor flecks and scratches can be spotted, but there are no distracting large cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. In summary, the film does look somewhat dated but it still has decent organic qualities. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
This film deserves to have a 5.1 track because there are some pretty atmospheric sequences with a great deal of effects and dynamic movement, plus Ennio Morricone's intense soundtrack has a very important to play as well, but the 2.0 track sounds great. The audio is very clean and actually has some serious oomph. Predictably, the dialog is very clean and easy to follow.
Viewing A Pure Formality is a lot like witnessing a superb magic trick -- you can see it, it is happening right in front of you, and yet you don't actually see everything unless you figure out the right angle. Can you figure out the right angle while Giuseppe Tornatore engages your mind? It is unlikely, because there are so many terrific misdirection plays in his film that it is practically guaranteed that you will end up going down the wrong rabbit hole looking for a resolution that does not exist. And trust me, when the final act comes you will be completely unprepared for it. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from an older but rather good master that was supplied by StudioCanal. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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