Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		5.0

Concussion Blu-ray Movie Review

Blowback.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 30, 2016

God did not intend for us to play football.

Most living things are fragile. Some are more resilient than others, and while man may fall somewhere in the middle of the most hearty-hardly hearty organism scale (completely unscientific placement), his brain power -- reason, logic, memory, discovery -- have allowed him to cheat the system, to learn how to become stronger, more immune, and generally safer from the most common pitfalls to be found out there in the wild. Combine that with his unique dexterity and he can build shelter, grow food, and take natural and manmade medicines. He's learned how to eat right, take care of his body, and live longer and stronger than ever before. Indeed, the human brain -- and the entire human body, for that matter -- is a marvelous thing, the thing that has allowed man to rise in the ranks to the top of the food chain and make his world a better place. Yet that human brain remains a very fragile thing. For all its complex wonders, there's not a lot of cushioning around it. A blow to the head can be fatal, or it can cause irreversible trauma. Protecting the head is paramount in nearly every activity that involves some form of risk, like riding a skateboard or a motorcycle, working in construction, or playing sports, perhaps the most satisfying, yet potentially dangerous, of "friendly" human endeavors and competition. That want, that almost innate need, to take risks for the sake of the goal seems a uniquely human characteristic, much like all of the aforementioned gifts that have seen mankind improve his place in the world over the years. Football has long recognized the need to protect the head, and the technology that does so has greatly improved over the years, from leather pads to the custom fitting gear of today that are the safest they've ever been. But even that's not enough. Concussion tells the story of a doctor, a man completely distanced from the passion, propaganda, and power that dominates in the National Football League, who challenged the status quo that head injuries were serious business and that the game itself was driving many of its players into an early grave.

"Tell me your story."

When Mike Webster (David Morse), an ex-Pittsburgh Steeler and NFL Hall-of-Famer, dies following a long bout of mental health issues, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith), a man who identifies himself as someone who specializes in "the science of death," receives the call to perform the autopsy. With the public spotlight shining brightly on the death -- Webster was a popular player and key cog during the Steelers' Super Bowl dynasty in the 1970s -- the autopsy is expected to be little more than a formality. But Omalu is puzzled by his findings. Rather than "a mess" of a brain Omalu was expecting based on the symptoms Webster showed prior to his death, it instead appears normal. No man in recorded history, Omalu says, has gone so mad, at such a young age, without serious and readily evident brain trauma. He begins to investigate deeper and, against the advice of his colleagues, works on exposing the dangers of repeated concussions suffered by football players, beginning in youth football and all the way through a professional career, pitting him against the NFL itself in the process.

Concussion is at once difficult to watch and impossible to resist. The movie deals with uncomfortable and challenging health-related realities and political gamesmanship that's played with the lives of others. The movie pits an individual's health against the ultimate test of big business, an organization in the National Football League that "owns a day of the week" and reportedly lied about its health data, an allegation brought to light only days prior to this review's publication. Some league officials and owners still do not accept the link between football and severe head trauma. Concussion makes a compelling case for the link. The film effortlessly blends complex scientific details, the realities former players face, the politics of health and sport, and some entertainment value, though certainly the movie is more a dramatic facilitator meant to share information than it is a more traditional "fun" movie. If nothing else, Concussion proves very effective at what it does, playing as essentially a semi-fictionalized exposé that never feels like it's holding back as it makes a strong, and heartbreaking, case against the sport and the dangers it poses to its players.

Concussion often uses juxtaposing images and sounds to enhance the story. For instance, Justin Strzelczyk's breakdown plays against fans cheering on the very game, the very same type of hits, that have driven him mad. The movie also accentuates a moment of sensuality when a kiss is seen in close-up, perhaps the most gentle "collision" one can have to the head, certainly in stark contrast to the smash mouth hits that are seen throughout the movie. Director Peter Landesman masters the movie's needs, creating a foundational knowledge that's detailed but accessible and refusing to shy away from the realities of repeated head injury and, most notably, how they effect several former players seen in the movie. Will Smith is likewise brilliant in a mature, screen-commanding role. The accent is a little disconcerting at first but he effortlessly and affably falls into his idiosyncratic character and conveys plenty personality, authority, and concern for others in the part. Smith shows a tangible grasp of the work his character practices but also the emotional center that drives him to challenge the status quo. He's supported by several exceptional performances, notably from David Morse in an unforgettable role as ex-Steelers Center Mike Webster and Albert Brooks as famed Pittsburgh Forensic Pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht.

Concussion Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Concussion is, by its very nature, a rather unremarkable-looking movie. It's fairly cold and a little flat, but Sony's 1080p Blu-ray transfer is certainly faithful to Director Peter Landesman's and Cinematographer Salvatore Totino's intended appearance. Colors, as noted, can push rather cold, favoring a heavy blue-gray dominant appearance, but that said there's no shortage of otherwise impressive, albeit neutral, colorings. Blue surgical scrubs, Steelers yellow, exterior greens, and other little splashes stand tall throughout the movie. Detailing is very precise. The digitally sourced image is clean but never too terribly flat or unattractively smooth. Fine detail -- facial pores most notably in close-ups but also surgical masks and scrubs, high end suits, little odds and ends around medical facilities, offices, and homes -- is exceptional throughout. Black levels are deep and hold true for the duration. Skin tones appear natural. Very light noise lingers, but other anomalies are nowhere to be found. This is a top-class presentation from Sony.

Concussion Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Concussion features a good all-around DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The movie's sound design is inherently straightforward, mostly, with a few morsels of extracurricular details and music pushing into an otherwise dialogue intensive film, such as some of the "sounds in the head" that drive Justin Strzelczyk mad in one scene. Music enjoys expert smoothness, spacing, and definition. Instrumentals are infinitely clear and detailed. Club dance beats are energetic and naturally flow from the speakers, producing a quality sense of spatial immersion as well as a positive low end weight. Minor support details are nicely filling, particularly little bits around the city but also a few more natural details. Dialogue dominates the proceedings, and it's delivered with natural center placement, excellent definition, and flawless prioritization.

Concussion Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Concussion contains several extras, including an audio commentary track. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Director Peter Landesman offers a well-spoken track that covers not only the cruder, broader details but the keener insights that are more finely woven into the movie. He discusses characters and motivations, score, shooting locations, and much more. This is a terrific track that's a very strong support supplement for the film.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Bennet at Law Firm (1:40), Webster Works Out (1:39), Bailes Operates (0:55), Bennet Discovers the Disease (1:29), Prema Asks Bennet (1:31), Bennet and Prema Confronted (0:56), Prema Finds Webster's Brain (0:57), Amobi (3:09), and Bennet Stays in Lodi (1:27).
• Inside the True Story (1080p, 11:10): Will Smith speaks on what drew him to the role and the real Dr. Bennet Omalu and others depicted in the movie discuss the true story.
• Crafting Concussion (1080p, 12:55): A quick run-through of the film's production, including approach, structure, direction, cast and performances, the love story in the film, shooting in Pittsburgh, and more.
• Previews (1080p): Additional Sony titles.

Concussion Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Concussion brings a serious discussion about sports and safety to the forefront. The medicine surrounding concussions is improving. The NFL is re-examining its concussion protocols. Other sports are taking the issue seriously. One can only wonder, though, whether it's all enough considering that athletes are getting faster and stronger by the season; do those incremental improvements in athletic ability offset incremental improvements in player safety? This is not an easy film to watch. What happens to the former players is harrowing, and just as disturbing is the larger world around the NFL that pushes back against Dr. Omalu's findings. The movie doesn't enjoy much of a traditional "entertainment" value but it's a very well done dramatized exposé and a must-see. Sony's Blu-ray release of Concussion features superb video and audio. A few good extras are included. Highly recommended.