6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Oldman plays a lawyer who defends a killer, but, soon after he wins he finds out that the killer is guilty.
Starring: Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon, Tess Harper, Karen Young, Joe Don BakerThriller | Insignificant |
Crime | 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 2.0
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 2.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Criminal Law may depict the extreme outlier of the client-attorney relationship, but "extreme" is what makes it interesting. Director Martin Campbell's (Casino Royale) film moves beyond legal procedure and delves into the murky and uncertain world of murder and mayhem, turning the tables, essentially, and forcing a slick defense attorney to reposition himself as unwitting investigator and perhaps even judge, jury, and executioner, all the while falling under the shadow of suspicion for his supposed involvement in a brutal crime. The film is never quite the seamless mix of tense legal thrills and darkly psychological drama it wants to be -- it's a bit too contrived and superficial for that -- but it still makes for a solid enough watch that hits just enough of its marks to keep up interest on the path towards whatever resolution it will find in its battle of client-attorney wits.
Meet the press.
Criminal Law's Blu-ray release from Olive Films is impressive. The transfer enjoys a naturally film-like appearance, retaining a light grain structure and producing sharp, well-defined details across the board. Faces reveal minute pores and lines in close-ups. Basic clothing details are tactile. Woods, bricks, vegetation, and other fine bits look terrific. Image clarity is exacting, and softness creeps in only sporadically. Colors are healthy and vibrant across a broad spectrum of shades, including bright natural greens, warm and inviting interiors in the Thiel home, and the more natural woods in the courtroom. Black levels are deep and show only inconsequential stray from natural depth. Flesh tones push ever so slightly warm in a few scenes. The image does show a few minor speckles and evidence of age and wear in places, but it's so infrequent that most won't even notice. This is a very fine presentation from Olive.
Unlike its video counterpart, Criminal Law's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack disappoints. The presentation frequently sounds muddy and hollow, lacking pinpoint detail and never quite ascending to even mediocrity, settling for "audible" and "passable." Music is flat and absent more than cursory definition. It enjoys a decent sense of far-side space, however. Sound effects are likewise poorly defined. Save for the random quality effect -- like a blaring police siren -- most are disappointingly empty, including falling rain and booming thunder. Dialogue, too, ranges from passably clear to sounding as if it's practically underwater. Center imaging is fine, and there's a decent sense of spacing and reverberation in the early courtroom scenes. The track will get listeners through the movie but it accomplishes almost nothing else.
This Blu-ray release of Criminal Law contains no bonus content. The main menu only offers selections for "Play" and "Chapters."
Criminal Law is a fair Thriller that twists and turns in several different directions, exploring each to satisfaction but not perfection. It enjoys a solid cast and quality characterization. It's a technically simple but sturdy affair that's a watchable movie to be sure but not exactly a classic of any of the areas it covers. Olive Films' featureless Blu-ray offers excellent video and poor audio. Recommended as a rental or a purchase on a steep discount.
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