6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A young woman in New York City races to catch the 1:30 Train to Boston. Stranded in the city after being robbed, she meets a street musician, and the two soon grow into each other’s most trusted confidants during a night of unexpected adventure.
Starring: Chris Evans, Alice Eve, Emma Fitzpatrick, John Cullum, Mark KassenRomance | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Actor Chris Evans (Captain America) makes his directorial debut with Before We Go, a precious little film that explores a night defined by chance meetings, unexpected chemistry, and unlikely understanding. These aren't new ideas or themes -- they've most recently been explored in the equally wonderful At Middleton -- but for a new director who is covering familiar ground, they're accessible and easy to work with. Evans gets the most he can from them, impressive both for a first feature and considering his double-duty work as the film's leading man. The film defines the term "charming cinema" and will melt the heart and bring a smile to the face of any but the most stone-cold of audiences who give it a chance.
Before We Go's 1080p transfer yields a solid enough watch. Details are satisfyingly well defined, both intimate facial and clothing features and broader, yet still nicely complex, city exteriors. The transfer reveals Evans' beard with strong attention to detail, for example, while city storefronts reveal a nice bit of texture and a naturally sharp appearance. Colors, many of which come by way of bright city lights and most of which are lit by them, are nicely even and stable, whether bright neon or smaller support hues on clothes and accessories. Black levels are fine, for the most part, but there are plenty of places where they threaten to push a little too bright. Flesh tones can look ever-so-slightly pasty but are mostly healthy and natural. It's not a showstopper, but Anchor Bay's transfer presents the movie rather well.
Before We Go features a fairly active and involved DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Street-level scenes spring to life with a nicely arranged symphony of urban sounds, including clattering footfalls, passing traffic, and distant honking horns. The surrounds carry a nice, natural bit of the load and the track does a fine job of inserting the listener into New York's nightlife. Public address announcements over the Grand Central Station loudspeakers are likewise nicely detailed and presented naturally across the back. Music enjoys effortless stage immersion, including, again, a good bit of natural surround support. Clarity throughout the range is fine, too, and there's a positive, never overwhelming, and detailed low end. Dialogue is clear and center focused and never lost under music or city din.
Before We Go contains only one supplement. A Conversation with Director Chris Evans (1080p, 3:31) features the actor/director discussing his goal in directing the movie, the film's structure and style, work on both sides of the camera, and learning the trumpet. Evans comes across as honest and intelligent; it's a shame he didn't sit down for a full commentary track.
Before We Go is a simple but warming movie that doesn't stretch Chris Evans as a director but proves him capable of telling a good, grounded, approachable story. His performance in front of the camera is quite good, too, a welcome reprieve from superhero duties that allows him to show another side that audiences might not know he had beyond the red, white, and blue. Alice Eve is terrific as his co-star, and together they make for a magical screen couple in one of the most approachable movies of 2014 that portends good things for Evans, the director. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release features solid video and atmospheric audio. The only disappointing part of this release is a dearth of supplements. Still, it comes recommended.
Extended Cut
2008
Director's Cut | Special Edition
2006
2015
2014
2014
2001
2012
30th Anniversary Edition
1989
2016
Movie Only Edition
2011
1996
2017
Warner Archive Collection
1945
Includes "Him", "Her", and "Them" Cuts
2014
2009
Special Edition
2008
2011
2015
2014
The F Word
2013