7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A corporate defense attorney takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution.
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Pullman, Bill CampBiography | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
History | 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 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
BD-Live
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Corporate policies of profit above people often conjure up images of toxic substances being dumped into the water supply, and that's not just imagery: it's reality. Disregard for human health and well being and putting the almighty dollar on a pedestal above common decency are often at the center of controversy, pitting public health against billion dollar industries. Over the past few decades, it's been very much in the forefront of the public conscience with the teflon controversy, which does not simply refer to politicians to whom no attacks stick. Dark Waters tells the story of Cincinnati attorney Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo) who goes to war against the DuPont company, putting at risk career, family, and health to do what's right.
Dark Waters was digitally photographed but presents with a pleasing film-like texture. The picture is consistently sharp, showcasing a number of quality details around West Virginia -- brush, trees, worn woods -- with highly impressive visual yield and textural accuracy. The same holds for higher class law offices and courtroom settings where warmer woods and sharp attire appear complex and without flaw. Skin textures in close-up appear pleasantly revealing, showing essential like pores, hairs, and so on with all of the high yield clarity one would expect of a new release picture. Colors are subdued throughout. The palette favors bleak grays and green tints with some warmer, but certainly still downcast, scenes. Skin tones are reflective of any given surrounding color scheme. Black levels are terrifically deep and true; check out a scene at the 1:27:45 mark. There are no noise spikes or other troublesome source issues. The encode shows no problems, either.
Dark Waters is not a particularly demanding movie in terms of its audio presentation. Dialogue drives the majority and maintains natural clarity and front-center placement. Music enjoys quality front end stretch and firm, lifelike detail. Surrounds fold in minor accompaniment in support and also carry a number of ambient sound effects to pull the listener into courtrooms, West Virginia exteriors, and a few other locales. There is some well pronounced -- borderline overly pronounced -- low end extension to some music in chapter three when Robert checks out the chemical plant around the 24 minute mark. The low end kicks into high gear again in chapter 17 during a medical emergency, culminating with a high intensity pulse. These are scattered moments of interest in an otherwise dull, but technically proficient, audio presentation.
Dark Waters' Blu-ray includes three featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase.
This release ships with an embossed slipcover.
Dark Waters' story has also been told in the documentary The Devil We Know, but this dramatized recount is a powerful exploration of the uphill battle between the everyman and an industry with everything at its disposal. The film is engaging and focused, Ruffalo's portrayal is spot-on, and the story is engrossing from the first report of potential malfeasance to the case's explosion in public awareness and courtroom conflicts. Universal's Blu-ray is a little short on extra content but the video and audio presentations are excellent. Recommended.
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Warner Archive Collection
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