Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Invictus Blu-ray Movie Review

A formidable film receives a remarkable release...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown April 28, 2010

He took the reigns of action icon Dirty Harry Callahan in Sudden Impact, gave us one of cinema's finest westerns with Unforgiven, examined the heart of a kidnapper in A Perfect World, adapted a famed romance novel with The Bridges of Madison County, set aside his ego for a shot at the stars in Space Cowboys, guided three talented actors through a trio of Oscar-worthy performances in Mystic River, defied expectation and took on a controversial issue in Million Dollar Baby, turned his attention to World War II with Flags of Our Fathers, explored the humanity of an enemy force in Letters from Iwo Jima, followed a distraught mother to hell and back in Changeling, and dissected race relations and prevailing generation gaps in Gran Torino. Clint Eastwood may be many things to many people, but predictable isn't one of them. Blessed with an uncanny knack for assembling strong casts, establishing resonant tones, and carefully pacing his narratives, the award-winning filmmaker has proven himself to be a fearless artist and storyteller; a director's director who, at the very least, has something significant to say with each passing film. His latest project, Invictus, is unlike anything else in his canon. Honest and inspirational, it tells the tale of a nation in flux, the resurrection of a people, and the influence of two tremendous men.

Who else could have stepped into Nelson Mandela's shoes?

Released from prison in 1990, anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) sets out to stop legal segregation and institute free, democratic elections in South Africa. But after fighting and campaigning his way into the presidency in 1994, he's immediately faced with an even more daunting challenge: assuaging fears, calming racial tensions, and showing his countrymen, white and black, that peaceful coexistence is within their grasp. While Mandela enacts several policy changes to begin the slow, seemingly impossible task of healing his nation, he soon turns his attention to the Rugby World Cup, a high-profile sporting event South Africa is scheduled to host the following year. In an unorthodox move, he approaches François Pienaar (Matt Damon), captain of a nearly all-white rugby team called the Springboks. Together, they take advantage of their people's love of sport to demonstrate how hard work, humility, and understanding can unite anyone, even two races divided by generations of hatred and bigotry. Based on John Carlin's 2008 book "Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation," Invictus is much more than sports film; much more than a rote, inspirational genre pic. It bows when other films would rise and invites politics and social complexity into a realm that usually focuses on little more than The Big Game. Above all else, it paints nuanced portraits of both Mandela and Pienaar, emphasizing the nobility of their plight without sugarcoating the intricacies of their struggles.

But don't mistake Invictus for a sentimental tear-jerker or one-dimensional fluff. Under the ever-watchful eye of Eastwood and in the steady, oh-so-capable hands of Freeman and Damon, the Oscar-nominated film exudes integrity and believability. It doesn't gloss over the truth or worship its protagonists, nor does it present Mandela or Pienaar as infallible men. Instead, it tells the story of a people embroiled in conflict who overcome deep-seated prejudice to become a single nation. Mandela and Pienaar are certainly the focus of the film, but their actions merely inspire an idea; it's the people of South Africa who make that idea a reality. It's a fine line to be sure, but one Eastwood handles with the ease of a master filmmaker, transforming a larger-than-life figure like Nelson Mandela into a stalwart servant of change and nothing more. Screenwriter Anthony Peckham deserves serious credit as well. While he and Eastwood strip away a bit more of the story's historical and political context than I would have preferred -- a more elaborate three-hour film would have been a godsend -- his balance of personalities and themes, plotting and character development, and pacing and dialogue showcases the relevance of the tale and the import of its telling. With a clearly defined goal and a cinematic endgame if there ever was one, Peckham and Eastwood produce something as fascinating as it is moving, as cerebral as it is emotional.

Of course, it would all be for naught if it weren't for Freeman and Damon's quiet, decisive, and captivating performances. Damon, sporting a subtle yet distinguished prosthetic, plays Pienaar as an intelligent, thoughtful sportsman; a man more in tune with the needs of his country and the intricacies of its political landscape than your average bruised-n-bloody rugby captain. In a film about a dynamic world leader, his is the most thankless role, one that demands greater finesse in order to stand out. But Damon doesn't flair his nostrils or pound his chest. He choses to simmer rather than erupt, contemplate his decisions rather than dive into action, and embrace the spirit of the moment as readily as he does the gravity of its implications. And Freeman? As always, Freeman the performer disappears within minutes, replaced by Nelson Mandela himself. A wisdom rests just behind his eyes while a heaviness sits on his brow, a desperation tightens his fingers while a hope lifts the corners of his mouth into a knowing smile. Whereas Damon reflects and reacts from scene to scene, Freeman is given leave to motivate and command, two things the veteran actor has spent his career refining. That being said, their on-screen work is equally commendable, and together they lend power and presence to a film that deserves an endless quantity of both. Not every scene in Invictus leaves a lasting mark -- like Eastwood's previous project, Gran Torino, not everyone in the director's supporting cast is as natural and at ease as his A-list talent -- but it hardly matters. Damon, Freeman, and the compelling story of Nelson Mandela and François Pienaar make every minute of Eastwood's latest film worth watching.

Invictus Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Invictus boasts a lovely 1080p/VC-1 presentation. Not a crystal clear, eye-gouging transfer, mind you, but a faithful, artistically sound stunner that showcases Eastwood's every filmic frame. Bathed in stark, unforgiving light, Tom Stern's photography isn't as colorful or evocative as some might expect -- it has the distinct aftertaste of a documentary -- but it still offers a sun-skewed palette of warm greens and yellows, natural primaries, convincing skintones, and deep, organic shadows. Warner's encode is just as striking. Contrast is remarkable from beginning to end, a fine veneer of grain proves its resolve, and anomalies like artifacting, ringing, and smearing are nowhere to be found. Pristine and proficient, it's an utterly absorbing image, so much so that it's easy to forget you're watching a film. Detail is crisp and clean as well, allowing Stern's work to rise and fall on its own terms. Closeups are wonderfully textured, edge definition is clean and reliable, and delineation, though a bit secretive on occasion, invites the viewer into every distant corner. Granted, black levels aren't always as fully resolved as casual filmfans have become accustomed, but any perceived shortcomings should be attributed to the filmmakers' intentions, not the studio's presentation of those intentions. As I alluded to before, Invictus isn't going to wow anyone who judges a presentation by its shine and sheen, and isn't likely to frequent the showroom floor at your local Best Buy. However, videophiles will applaud the end result and celebrate Warner's efforts accordingly.

Invictus Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Warner's stirring, exceedingly effective DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track complements the film's video presentation nicely, readily immersing listeners in the bristling fields and dusty winds of South Africa. Dialogue rests near the heart of Invictus, and the mix captures every hesitant syllable and bold proclamation that escapes the actors' throats. Voices ring true regardless of the environment or interior setting, prioritization is dutiful and precise, and lines are rarely lost, even during the film's more chaotic rugby matches. While the majority of Eastwood's drama offers little more than centralized conversations and restrained (albeit noteworthy) acoustic flair, Pienaar's training sessions, the various arena and stadium events, Mandela's public appearances, and a number of outdoor locales work to produce a far more enveloping experience. Through it all, the LFE channel delivers steady, reasonably measured support, the rear speakers help Eastwood and his team create a fitting illusion of place and culture, pans are transparent, and directionality is accurate and arresting. Moreover, Kyle Eastwood and Michael Stevens' score has been given the same attentive treatment, as well as ample opportunity to earn the respect it deserves. All in all, Warner's lossless track contributes its finely tuned wares to an understated yet outstanding AV presentation.

Invictus Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Blu-ray edition of Invictus may not strike everyone as a supplemental powerhouse -- I doubt three-and-a-half hours of content is going to put a significant dent in anyone's weekend -- but its special features are so well-balanced, so engaging, and so all-encompassing that the package defies expectation and sets itself apart from the pack. Clint Eastwood's Picture-in-Picture track is classy and engrossing, an excellent behind-the-scenes documentary delves even deeper, and a pair of additional bonuses add extra value to an already impressive release. It may not revel in the latest Maximum Movie Mode bells and BD-Live whistles, but in my humble opinion, Invictus is indeed a supplemental powerhouse.

• Vision, Courage and Honor: Captivating, informative, and incredibly exhaustive, this generous Picture-in-Picture track features countless interview segments with Eastwood, nearly notable members of his cast, department heads and, most importantly, the real men who inspired the film. Better still, a handy on-screen icon allows users to quickly navigate from pop-up to pop-up, whisking past any dead spots along the way (not that there are many to be found). Not all PiP tracks are worth watching, but I, for one, was thoroughly impressed with its tone, breadth, and exploration of both the history behind the film and the film itself. If you have any affection for Invictus whatsoever, set aside some time to dig through this fascinating, undeniably rewarding experience.
• Behind the Story (HD, 36 minutes): Warner has included a pair of revealing standalone featurettes as well: an extensive, well-conceived 28-minute production documentary called "Mandela Meets Morgan" and a brief but satisfying 7-minute short aptly titled "Matt Damon Plays Rugby." The former gives Eastwood, his cast, and his devoted crew a chance to wax poetic about the film, Eastwood's prowess as a filmmaker, the figures portrayed in the film, the costumes and sets, and the challenges Eastwood faced during the shoot. The latter is lighter and more low key, following Damon onto the field with his on-screen teammates and their real-life counterparts.
• The Eastwood Factor (SD, 22 minutes): Film critic, historian, and documentarian Richard Schickel wrote and directed this candid overview of Eastwood's life and career that examines the Oscar winner's rise as an actor, emergence as an acclaimed director, and ongoing evolution as an artist.
• Invictus Music Trailer (HD, 3 minutes): A lengthy theatrical trailer for the film.
• BD-Live Functionality

Invictus Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Invictus is a relevant, powerful film bolstered by a gripping story, a memorable script, and a pair of outstanding performances. With Eastwood at the helm and Freeman and Damon manning the sails, it sheds genre convention and earns its stripes as a tribute to two men who altered the course of a nation. Warner's Blu-ray release is impressive as well. Its video transfer is faithful and filmic, its DTS-HD Master Audio track is reserved but wholly effective, and its supplemental package, though only three-and-a-half-hours long, is incredibly extensive and satisfying. Invictus may not be the best film of 2009 (or even one of the top ten films of the year), but it does deserve all the attention it gets.