Identity Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Identity Blu-ray Movie Review

This Blu-ray is easily identifiable as a winner.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 1, 2009

The question...is whether to convict the body or the mind.

Even the topsy-turvy world of Horror gets one right every once in a while. In an era where gross-out Saw flicks and other similar movies leave little to the imagination, 2003's Identity does just the opposite, leaving darn near everything up to the imagination, literally. Calling Identity a tight, captivating, and crafty Psychological Thriller doesn't even begin to describe it. Hailing the script for its consistently clandestine, ever-evolving, and bone-tingling tone doesn't do justice to the smarts and novelty found on every page as translated to the screen. Praising its performances and admiring the direction fail to convey how spectacular the film is. In fact, nothing short of watching Identity and becoming immersed in the wonderfully realized world of misdirection it creates can truly differentiate the film from its peers and adequately describe just how good this movie is.

A wonderful atmosphere helps make 'Identity' one of the best of its kind.

It was a dark and stormy night, and therein lies the beginning and the end of the clichés found in Identity. In Nevada, a group of motorists find themselves flung together when a heavy rainstorm, flooded roads, and a nasty accident see their lives converge at a roadside, middle-of-nowhere motel. Amongst them is a father named George (John C. McGinley, Are We Done Yet?), his son Timmy (Bret Loehr), and his wife Alice (Leila Kenzle), who is struck by a passing car driven by Ed Dakota (John Cusack, Con Air) and carrying former actress Caroline Suzanne (Rebecca De Mornay, Risky Business); police officer Rhodes (Ray Liotta, Field of Dreams) and the prisoner he is escorting, Robert Maine (Jake Busey, Starship Troopers); newlyweds Ginny (Clea DuVall, Ghosts of Mars) and Lou (William Lee Scott); a Las Vegas prostitute named Paris (Amanda Peet, The X-Files: I Want to Believe); and the hotel proprietor, Larry (John Hawkes). Their lives become forever entwined when those among them begin dying one by one. Though fingers point to different suspects as the night wears on, one constant emerges: a motel room key is found on each body, beginning with the key to room number 10 and counting down. Of the eleven, one seems to have both the motive and wherewithal to murder at will until only one remains.

Identity marvelously crafts a story that's a master of suspense. Though it takes some time before the film reveals itself as more than a slick but commonplace slasher type picture, there is never a moment where anything about Identity feels normal. From the opening minutes onward, it becomes clear that viewers are in for something special. Despite the somewhat commonplace plot device of amassing a collection of seemingly unrelated individuals and delivering a standard but expertly-crafted set-up to get them all in one place, Director James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma) captures the action with a purpose and a sense of impending danger that's engendered through both his expert approach to the material and the clichéd but here incredibly effective rainstorm that serves as something of a character itself throughout the entirety of the picture. Still, and despite a fantastic set-up, it's where the film goes and what it does with the story that proves both spellbinding as it unfolds and utterly shocking as the truth is revealed. The aptly-titled Identity itself seems victim to an identity crisis; nothing or nobody is as they seem, and the film sheds its many layers one at a time and in just the right order for maximum effect.

Identity isn't a particularly frightening or grotesque movie. It's more in the vein of masterful Hitchcockian suspense with but a few grisly shots finding their way into the film; the minimal gore allows for the tone to smartly remain fully centered on the story as it unravels and develops towards its many surprising revelations and eventual shocking conclusion. The rainy nighttime setting lends to the film an appropriate noir tone that accentuates the uncertainty of what's to come or what's around a corner. Likewise, the characters' gradual degradation both physical and mental as the night wears on and the bodies accumulate only reinforces the unrelenting pace and sense of confusion and despair that hang over the film. There's not a bad performance in the bunch; every actor sells their part convincingly, keeping hidden even a semblance of their true motives and/or identities. It would be unfair to point to one or two of the eleven primaries when all are excellent and none are notably superior to another insofar as their efforts in Identity, but suffice it to say that those that might not have the instant recognition of a Ray Liotta or John Cusack easily hold their own and match the veterans' efforts scene for scene, line by line, and character arc for character arc.

Identity Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This Blu-ray release of Identity delivers a strong 1080p, 2.40:1-framed transfer. It's clear, crisp, and free of any distracting artifacts or obvious post-production digital manipulation. Rarely does the image go soft, though in those few instances where it's not as noticeably sharp as usual, the effect is minimal. Blacks are deep, dark, and wonderfully atmospheric and mood-setting. Detail is excellent throughout, even in the film's many dark or otherwise drab locales. By definition, the film's setting doesn't really allow for an onslaught of eye-catching detail and monitor-popping colors, but both are nicely realized in context. The transfer excels in revealing the small nuances throughout the somewhat grimy and worn but not inhospitable or condemnation-worthy motel. Viewers will note the small dings and dirt on the facility's washing machine that plays prominently in one scene, or the rust and chipped paint on a close-up of a bolt lock in another. Such are small examples but representative of the solid level of detail throughout. Close-ups of faces, too, reveal every pore and strand of facial hair nicely. Flesh tones can look just the slightest bit pale or ghastly, but that's hardly a concern. Rounded out by a subtle veneer of film grain, Identity boasts an overall strong 1080p picture quality on Blu-ray.

Identity Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Identity makes itself known on Blu-ray via a wonderful PCM 5.1 uncompressed soundtrack. The film is heavy on atmospherics; a steady rain marks almost the entirety of the movie, and whether characters are standing out in the downpour or are somewhere inside the hotel, the sense of being in the midst of a shower is never lost on the listener. The track also reproduces varying sensations in relation to the rain; whether it's bouncing off clothing, falling into a puddle, rolling off the roof, or streaming out of the gutter in waves, each different tone is easily identifiable through the track alone. Booms of thunder are occasionally heard in the background in support, again in varying stages of severity depending on location in relation to the outdoors. The rear channels are fully utilized throughout both to recreate the enveloping rain but also in support of other atmospherics or via the delivery of various discrete effects. Subtle bass also accompanies each clap of thunder, but it's also present in several other spots throughout as well. Heavy pounding on a door creates a tense, disturbing sensation in one scene, and an explosion in the film's third act packs a solid punch. Dialogue reproduction is strong throughout. This is an excellent and highly effective soundtrack that heightens the mood of the film considerably.

Identity Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Identity contains several extras. First up is a commentary track with Director James Mangold, who goes through the range of standard commentary fare, speaking on the origins of the script, the strength inherent to Thrillers that take place in a single location, the film's structure, set design, shooting techniques, lighting, the strengths of the actors and their characters' traits, and much more. Though the track covers the usual array of topics, Mangold shares his thoughts with a well-spoken and sure delivery. Fans will want to listen to this one. Also included is a second commentary, this one featuring Writer Michael Cooney. Cooney also delivers a smart, well-spoken, and passionate commentary. He speaks almost without interruption and covers just about everything viewers could want to know about the script, the characters, and the shoot. Like the director track, this one is a must-listen. Starz on the Set (480p, 14:32) is a generic interview piece that features the cast and crew simply speaking on the film's plot and themes, Mangold's direction, and the prowess of the actors. Also included are storyboard comparisons for three scenes (480p) and a collection of four deleted scenes (480p) with optional director commentary.

Identity Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Though it grossed a respectable $51,000,000 at the domestic box office, Identity nevertheless seems a diamond in the rough; its name isn't frequently mentioned in many "best of" lists of Horror or Mystery pictures of this or any decade, but it deserves a slot -- and near the top, for that matter -- of any such compilation. A film that's a master of deceit and sleight of hand but not necessarily manipulative or dishonest, Identity unravels a tale that's smart, bold, surprisingly engaging, and not soon forgotten. An unconventional Horror/Suspense picture that features sure-handed Direction from one of the better of his craft and a collection actors that deliver uniformly superb performances, Identity is a modern genre classic that's not to be missed. Sony's Blu-ray release is nearly as impressive as the movie itself. Though the supplements could be more, the technical presentation excels. Highly recommended.