Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Falling Down Blu-ray Movie Review

One of Schumacher's finest finally arrives in high definition...

Why does Joel Schumacher taunt me so? For every Lost Boys, Tigerland, and Veronica Guerin the eclectic director delivers, he fumbles a Bad Company, Batman & Robin, or Number 23. Arguably one of the most inconsistent filmmakers working in Hollywood today, Schumacher has spent his career hopping from genre to genre, experimenting with story and character, and producing some of the most outrageous cinema to ever flop at the box office. At the same time, he's proven he can guide actors to greatness, weave a captivating tale, and challenge his viewers with complex themes and multifaceted narratives. Falling Down is one of those films: a nuanced masterwork ripe with relevant questions and an intriguing exploration of the human condition; a jarring glimpse into the mind of a madman and a fitting commentary on the fall of modern man.

Foster is consumed with an insatiable desire to be heard at any cost...

Recently divorced, out of work, and stuck in a traffic jam in the smoldering Los Angeles heat, repressed engineer William Foster (Michael Douglas) decides to abandon his car and head for home. But when an argument with a convenience store clerk pushes Foster to his breaking point, he hits the streets with a bat in hand and renewed confidence. Before long, an encounter with several gang members nets the volatile businessman a knife, an automatic weapon, and a sense of empowerment unlike anything he's every experienced. Meanwhile, a soon-to-be-retired detective, Martin Prendergast (Robert Duvall), hijacks the investigation into the seemingly random swath of devastation left in Foster's wake. Hoping to stop the gun-toting maniac before anyone can get seriously hurt, Prendergast and his partner, Detective Sandra Torres (Rachel Ticotin), work to identify Foster's intended destination, uncover his troubled past, and bring him in as quietly as possible.

The brilliance of Falling Down lies in its disturbing familiarity; in the unsettling realization that Foster is being presented as some sort of maligned everyman. Who hasn't dreamed dreams of mass destruction in the middle of a traffic jam? Who hasn't wondered why fast food never looks as appealing on the tray as it does on television? Who hasn't been bothered by price gouging in a local convenience store? Who hasn't been tempted to put a rude clerk in their place? Who hasn't wished they could break free of society's tempered definition of acceptable behavior? The mind's eye may not always drift to firearms and baseball bats, but if consequence was removed from any one of these scenarios, would we act much differently than Foster? Would we really exhibit unwavering moral fortitude in the face of such staunch opposition? The answer, as screenwriter Ebbe Roe Smith's mentally unbalanced antihero suggests, is no... most of us would resort to aggression, assault, violence, or any other forbidden fruit that would help us apply our own brand of justice to a given situation.

So who is William Foster? Victim of circumstance, devoted family man, disenfranchised father, devout vigilante, disgruntled citizen, unhinged lunatic, voice of the people, avenging angel? The truth, as frustrating and ambiguous as it may be at times, is present in each of these woefully insufficient labels. Neither Schumacher nor Douglas paint a pristine picture of Foster's motivations or declarations. His manic mood swings and unpredictable outbursts are simultaneously inevitable and preventable; his intermingling guilt and glee are both fulfilling and damning. He isn't good or evil, but rather a reactionary force of nature adrift in a devolving domain of gray. His decisions are cloaked in hesitation, his anger is uncomfortably palpable, and his obsession is a labyrinth of love and loss. Whoever William Foster is, only one thing is clear: Michael Douglas was born to play him on screen. The two-time Academy Award-winning actor injects a startling intensity into his every line, expression, and command. He not only inhabits Foster's insanity, he boldly leaps off the veritable edge with him.

And let's not overlook Robert Duvall's masterfully understated performance. Serving as a welcome counterbalance to Foster's every mad lurch and frightening delusion, Duvall slyly slides from scene to scene with the methodical stride of an actor who understands that the essence of a character can reside as much in their inaction and silence as it does in their decisiveness and dialogue. He contrasts Foster in every way: his words meander out of an unclenched mouth, his hands move slowly and deliberately, and his demeanor exudes unflinching calm at every turn. Like Douglas, he disappears from the film entirely; Duvall the actor is replaced by Detective Martin Prendergast, the living, breathing human being faced with an impossible crisis. To that end, Falling Down becomes as realistic as it is surreal; as much a legitimate study of madness as it is an exaggerated morality play; as memorable as it is upsetting. I know there are plenty of outspoken detractors who hate its every twist and turn, but I can't help but marvel at its compelling characters, immersive story, and undeniably powerful performances.

Falling Down Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

While a more thorough overhaul would have helped stabilize Falling Down's slightly uneven 1080p/VC-1 transfer, it nevertheless outclasses its standard DVD counterpart and surpasses other recent catalog releases from Warner. Sure, skintones are frequently flushed by the film's sweltering Los Angeles heatwave and, yes, contrast often falls flat in its searing assault, but Schumacher's sweat-soaked palette remains strong and steady regardless of whether William seeks shelter in a dank basement or marches across a golf course in the vibrant afternoon sun. Likewise, middling black levels result in crushed shadows and mediocre delineation, but image depth is somewhat convincing and fine detail is suitably revealing. Hair, stubble, and clothing texture look quite good, fast food menu boards are sharp and legible, and the crisp cracks in Foster's glasses have been rendered with care. It's certainly not the sharpest transfer I've ever seen but, considering the nature of Andrzej Bartkowiak's cinematography, I doubt it could be. Thankfully, artifacting, banding, and source noise are kept in check, while a faint but pleasing veneer of filmic grain is visible at all times (despite some minor digital scrubbing).

Alas, lingering edge enhancement haunts the entire transfer and the film's sixteen-year old print suffers from distracting damage (nicks, scratches, and flecks are regular offenders, but a strange horizontal bar also appears in the upper corner of the image from time to time). Even so, Falling Down isn't the complete and utter mess it could have been. It not only does a good job representing Schumacher's intentions, it does so without succumbing to any debilitating technical mishaps or too many unappealing anomalies. I wouldn't necessarily pop the disc in to show off my home theater but, as a fan of the film, I can't complain too much.

Falling Down Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For whatever reason, Warner decided to forgo a shiny new 5.1 remix in favor of a decidedly decent but ultimately underwhelming Dolby TrueHD stereo track. Ah well, at least it's a lossless audio option. Dialogue is nicely prioritized and intelligible throughout, even when Foster pulls a trigger, gets unruly in a convenience store, or screams at a timid crowd. And while ambience never extends into the rear speakers, it demonstrates a mildly impressive presence in the front channels that is, to a reasonable extent, rather involving. It's just a shame that any and every aural eruption struggles to match the raw intensity of the on-screen imagery. Low-end tones lack weight, gunfire sounds thin and hollow, and the skull-thumping musical score is pinched at times and flaccid at others. Of course, given that we're dealing with a two-channel presentation, I didn't expect much more. I do wish Warner had minted a full surround mix for the film's latest release but, honestly, I'm at peace with the output of Falling Down's lossless stereo track.

Falling Down Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Falling Down arrives on Blu-ray with the same special features that appear on the new Deluxe Edition DVD. Unfortunately, it doesn't amount to much. It's certainly a step up from the barebones 1999 release, but I expected a film of this caliber to earn more than an audio commentary and a standard definition interview. And while I suppose fans of Digibook releases will be pleased with the admittedly attractive 32-page hardcover booklet that houses Warner's BD-25 disc, I thought it wasted too many precious pages on shallow biographies and splash photos.

• Audio Commentary: Joel Schumacher and Michael Douglas provide a solid combo commentary that, aside from a few stretches of silence, is both amiable and enlightening. The director discusses his dogged pursuit of the project, his casting decisions, the shoot itself, and his thoughts on the story's relevance. Douglas is far less chatty, but offers equally fascinating reflections on his character, his work with Schumacher, and his experiences with other members of the cast.
• Deconstructing D-Fens (SD, 10 minutes): In this all-too-short interview, Douglas takes the opportunity to elaborate on the mannerisms, behavior, and motivation of his character.
• Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2 minutes)

Falling Down Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I still can't understand why so many people despise Falling Down. More than a measured depiction of rage, helplessness, and mental instability, Schumacher's ultraviolent thriller is a mesmerizing dissection of empowerment, tolerance, and inadequacy. Its high definition debut isn't everything I was hoping it would be, but an above average video transfer, a lossless stereo track, and a pair of short but sweet special features make it the version of the film to own. If you've never seen Falling Down, I would play it safe and pay a visit to your local videostore first. However, if you're a fan of Douglas' unnerving performance and Schumacher's storytelling prowess, you'll probably be satisfied with this Digibook release.