Heli Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Heli Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 26, 2017

Cartel violence in Mexico is vividly rendered in 2013’s “Heli,” which takes elements of violence fairly far to make a point about the brutality of gangs and corrupt law enforcement. Co-writer/director Amat Escalante has a vision for his feature, playing it spare to emphasize unease, working to understand the plight of the impoverished and emasculated in Mexico, under siege from all sides, but when does example become excess? It’s a fine line “Heli” has trouble walking, often caught enjoying its horrors instead of using them to make a larger point about menace in the middle of nowhere.

Heli (Armando Espitia) is a young man trying to make a living in rural Mexico, caring for his wife and son, while his younger sister, Estela (Andrea Vergara), gets caught up in dangerous ideas due to young love, triggering aggression from gangs and dirty cops, which effectively destroys Heli’s already ruined life. Escalante certainly has a secure filmmaking stance with “Heli,” favoring long takes and muted behavior, working to create realism with his tale of suffering. Questions of innocence and manipulation are raised, and Heli’s moral choices are challenged, watching the young man basically pay a mighty price for trying to do the right thing. It’s a snapshot of Mexican life that registers as accurate, but “Heli” doesn’t trust in the power of suggestion, soon taking a turn to the ultraviolent to make sure everyone understands how rough this situation becomes.

Heli Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers satisfactory detail to assist in the appreciation of small town squalor and body language. Facial particulars are strong, delivering subtle reactions and pained looks, and the feature's graphic content is vivid. Locations retain expanse, looking dimensional. Colors are settled, capturing bold primaries on costuming and factory interiors. Skintones are natural. Delineation is adequate, never losing anything to solidification. Artifacts aren't common, but they emerge periodically, with banding most pronounced.

Heli Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is mostly a frontal event, with surrounds rarely engaged beyond atmospherics, identifying open spaces, and microphone echo. Dialogue exchanges are tight, with sharp offerings of conversations and panic, preserving performances.

Heli Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Making Of (44:24, HD) does a terrific job capturing the mood of production, showcasing the cast and crew of "Heli" as they go about their business setting up shots and preparing for work. There are interviews to enjoy, understanding character and on-set mood, but highlights arrive with basic observation, watching the technical side of the movie come to life.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:25, HD) is included.

Heli Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Heli" is weakened by its hunger to horrify, creating a nightmare realm that showcases cartel violence, including one victim whose exposed genitals are set on fire. Couple that with other downbeat turns of plot, and "Heli" becomes morbid, not informative. Technical achievements are plentiful, and performances are capable (from a largely novice cast), but the overall viewing experience can be difficult to endure.