5.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A young girl falls for a guy with a dark secret and the two embark on a rocky relationship. Based on the novel by Anna Todd.
Starring: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, Khadijha Red Thunder, Dylan Arnold, Shane Paul McGhieRomance | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
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, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Writer Anna Todd's novel After falls into a relatively new literary genre called "New Adult Fiction" that is something of a stepping stone between more traditional Young Adult reads and adult fiction. While the book may be something of a pioneer in a burgeoning filed, Director Jenny Gage's film adaptation is a relatively flat, but by no means awful, new entry into well-worn genre territory. Although promotional materials (including its home video artwork) promise something that looks more steamy and sultry -- there's a Dirty Dancing inspiration at work, which is probably very intentional considering that After follows a fairly similar narrative pathway -- the film is actually more inwardly reflective even as it hops through outward types and tropes, struggling to walk a tightrope between exploring its characters' intimate sides while slogging through familiar arcs and predictable plot twists.
After was digitally photographed. It's very well detailed in bright locales and warmly lit low light locations alike. The film does not want for intimate character close-ups meant to bring out the nuanced emotions at play in the performances, and viewers will note every pore, hair, and other detail with effortless ease. Clothes are nicely detailed, too, and the image is not wanting for greater clarity and textural visibility around campus. Colors are pleasantly neutral, offering good, balanced contrast with just enough pop to satisfy. Skin tones appear accurate and nighttime black levels hold deep and true. Noise is fairly prominent in some of the warmer low-light locations but isn't much of an issue in well-lit scenes. The image shows no prominent compression related issues.
After features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track offers a nice assortment of college dormitory sounds where the bustle of move-in-day is nicely recreated through the entire stage, dropping the listener into the fray. Party din in chapter four is likewise well defined with prominent bass at work, and background barroom atmosphere in chapter eight is also the beneficiary of nicely detailed and surround-oriented atmosphere. Music plays with rich detail and wide front-side spacing; light surround cues are in play, too. The track offers nothing resembling hard, impacting sounds, favoring critical ambience and music and dialogue to tell its story. The latter is well prioritized and nicely detailed with firmly positioned front-center placement.
After's Blu-ray release contains four deleted scenes (1080p): Zed Flirts with Tessa (0:42), Tessa and Zed Cause a Stir (2:19), Tessa Meets Chancellor Scott (1:07), and Wedding Prep (1:31). A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.
After has its moments of agreeable storytelling, thanks largely to its two lead actors who are unafraid to personalize and humanize deeply held yet intimately familiar storytelling tropes. The supporting cast -- particularly Selma Blair and Dylan Arnold -- does good work, too, but the film ultimately crumbles under the burden of too many tropes dropped onto a heap of shaky foundational stereotypes. Universal's Blu-ray release of After delivers quality video and audio presentations. Supplements are limited to a few deleted scenes. Worth a look.
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