7 | / 10 |
Users | 3.4 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng, Matt SternDrama | 100% |
History | 67% |
Sport | 35% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
BDinfo
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Bonus View (PiP)
BD-Live
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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