7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Vietnam veteran Jacob Singer is tormented by the vivid memories of war and the heartbreaking death of his son. Demonic visions and hallucinations begin to haunt him day and night, leaving Jacob disturbed and searching for answers. Unsure if he is suffering from post-traumatic stress, dementia, or something paranormal, Jacob finds himself quickly spiraling out of control.
Starring: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello, Matt Craven, Pruitt Taylor VinceHorror | 100% |
Psychological thriller | 39% |
Mystery | 30% |
Surreal | 29% |
Thriller | 13% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Adrian Lyne's "Jacob's Ladder" (1990) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. There are no supplemental features on this disc. There are no optional English subtitles for the main feature either. Region-B "locked".
Trapped
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Adrian Lyne's Jacob's Ladder arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment.
This is a solid high-definition transfer, arguably one of the very best from the budget catalog releases Optimum Home Entertainment has produced. Fine object detail is consistently good, clarity pleasing, even during the nightmares/dark sequences, and contrast levels are consistent. The close-ups look strong - fine grain is easily noticeable, though occasionally some extremely mild noise is mixed with it. Edge enhancement is never a serious issue of concern. More importantly, neither is macroblocking, which was one of the key issues with the R1 DVD release of Jacob's Ladder Artisan Entertainment produced quite some time ago. Colors look soft and warm, but also natural. There are no stability issues to report in this review. Finally, I noticed a couple of tiny flecks early into the film, but I did not see any large cuts, stains, marks, or warps. All in all, this is a very good release of a wonderful film that has endured some quite problematic treatments during the years. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. For the record, Optimum Home Entertainment has not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
I chose to view the film with the English LPCM 2.0 track and was quite pleased by its solid dynamic amplitude. Maurice Jarre's wonderful ambient soundtrack benefits greatly from it, and many of Jacob's nightmares are now as disturbing as they have ever been. Generally speaking, the dialog is crisp, clean and very easy to follow.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track offers slightly better mid-low range dynamics, but surround activity is not impressive. The dialog is as crisp and clean as it is on the English LPCM 2.0 track and there are no balance issues with Maurice Jarre's soundtrack.
Most unfortunately, there are absolutely no supplemental features to be found on this Blu-ray disc whatsoever.
British director Adrian Lyne achieved international success with Flashdance and Fatal Attraction, but I consider Jacob's Ladder to be his best work. Even today, the film remains just as thought-provoking and engaging as it was during the early '90s. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed looks and sounds solid but does not have any special features. It is Region-B "locked". VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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