6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.1 |
Set in 1942 following a French-Canadian spy who falls in love and marries a French agent during a dangerous mission in Casablanca. He is notified that his wife is likely a Nazi spy and begins his own investigation of her.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris, Simon McBurney, Lizzy CaplanDrama | 100% |
Period | 98% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
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 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
"Robert Zemeckis" wouldn't be the first name to come to mind when guessing who would direct a World War II Intrigue Drama/Romance. Better known for magical escapism films like Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and The Polar Express and someone who has dabbled in deeper material like Beowulf and Flight, Allied marks something of a departure for the fan-favorite filmmaker. This is arguably the most tonally dark film in his canon, one that explores the complexities of war and love and the consequences of choices and secrets. Zemeckis rightly plays down the possibilities for spectacle but doesn't quite find the depth the material requires. It's a solid film, well-paced, and accessible even for its intrigue and dark twists, but it doesn't quite exude that sense of time capsule experience -- narratively or technically -- for which it appears to strive.
Allied was digitally photographed and the end product translates extraordinarily well to Blu-ray. It's a little on the slick side, but textural deficiencies are never a result. Period attire is gorgeously defined, showcasing finer material density and textures with striking ease, from thin dresses to heavy jackets. Faces are a bit smooth with makeup, but scruff, wounds, and other qualities shine when on-screen. The film's various locations, whether sandy deserts or dense London urban environments, showcase remarkable texturing in every corner. Colors are very well defined, alive and vibrant and never wanting for any more lifelike saturation. The film's first half is rather earthy, environmentally, structurally, and considering attire, but splashes of color on some clothes, red lipstick, and other assorted items dazzle. The second half is more blue and black but, again, there's plenty of bold primaries on display. Black levels are never wanting and skin tones appear accurate. No source noise is evident, nor are any compression artifacts. This is a fantastic new release presentation from Paramount.
Allied's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack handles the movie's core elements very well, including both wartime action and more subtle drama. Music is well spaced along the front, utilizing surrounds more for minor support than critical, blaring highlight. Action enjoys a wider berth. Gunfire rips through the stage with impressive zip and power. Chaos emanates from all over the stage and even small details, like empty shell casings pelting the floor, are audibly crisp and lifelike. More aggressive, larger-scale elements, primarily bombing runs, explosions, and anti-aircraft fire, show impressive potency and stage presence, placing the listener in the middle of the horrifying blitz. Ambient support in less dramatic sequences satisfies. Crowd din draws the listener in while gusty winds and pelting sands at the 36-miunte mark power through and accentuate a key scene. Dialogue is steady and emanates from the front-center with no discernible problems in clarity or prioritization. This is a very good audio presentation from Paramount.
Allied contains ten featurettes. For a movie and a filmmaker so immersed in the modern concept of movie magic, cast and crew certainly
aren't shy about opening up about it and raising the curtain on the illusion. A UV/iTunes digital copy voucher is included with purchase.
Allied is a solid film beset by the central frustration that it can never quite get over the hump. Finely crafted but almost to a nostalgic fault, engaging but not purposeful, satisfying but not particularly memorable, the movie settles for technical successes while leaving its dramatic elements with only enough muscle to get by and tell the story. On the other hand, Allied's Blu-ray release impress all-around. Great 1080p picture, excellent lossless audio, and a hearty allotment of bonus features all make this an easy recommendation.
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Declassified Extended Edition | Photo Book | Poster | ID Badge | Map
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