6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 3.9 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.8 |
Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison, making the transition from inexperienced rookie to seasoned veteran, struggles to cope with a risky, demanding job that often shortchanges his wife and kids. He relies on the support of his mentor and captain, Mike Kennedy and his second family — found in the brotherly bond between the men of the firehouse. But, when Jack becomes trapped in the worst blaze of his career, his life and the things he holds important — family, dignity, courage — come into focus. As his fellow firefighters of Ladder 49 do all they can to rescue him, Jack's life hangs in the balance.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick, Morris ChestnutThriller | 100% |
Action | 56% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
It's a job.
Firefighting movies don't seem to come around as often as they should. It's a sub-genre with plenty
of
potential not only for sizzling on-screen excitement but for raw and unforgiving human drama.
Those firefighting movies that do make it to the screen prove worthy pictures and, more often than
not, fan favorites. Probably the two best-known of the lot are Backdraft and The Towering Inferno,
the former a more "traditional" firefighting film, the latter more of a major Disaster picture heavy on
firefighting elements. 2004's Ladder 49 enjoys a style that's more akin to
Backdraft, the picture an unflinching and oftentimes poignant glimpse into the trials of some
of the world's most heroic individuals. Though obviously amped-up for greater cinematic effect,
Ladder 49 proves itself a capable, entertaining, raw, and moving picture, populated with
good performances and steady direction, and what it lacks in mystery it more than makes up for in
spirit.
Help Me.
Ladder 49 rolls onto Blu-ray with a nice-looking 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. Though it sometimes looks flat and dim and features a few minor trouble spots, there's plenty here to like. It's not the stuff of Blu-ray legend, but Ladder 49 impresses through a pleasant film-like texture that's accentuated by a bit of film grain, which often appears more prominent over lighter colors. Generally, colors are rich and accurate, though flesh tones sometimes capture a slight red push. Bright red fire engines sparkle, and there's no sign of overly pronounced nor excessively dim hues in the film; they all appears pleasantly natural whether in the darker burning buildings or brighter daytime scenes. Fine object detail is fine but unremarkable next to superior Blu-ray discs. It handily beats standard definition material in terms of clarity and sharpness, and it captures plenty of small nuances, whether scratches and dents on a fire hydrant or the rough texturing of broken concrete and rubble. Blacks are fine, though in a few scenes they appear to absorb some finer details, and such scenes often coincide with the moments where the image appears at its flattest. Though there's the occasional spot and pop on the print, Disney's effort with Ladder 49 impresses far more often than not. Overall, this is a good transfer that delivers a nicely filmic presentation.
Ladder 49 bursts onto Blu-ray with a high-powered PCM 5.1 uncompressed soundtrack. The highlight of the track clearly comes in the form of several large explosions that send a tremendous amount of power through the soundstage. The subwoofer will be tested throughout the film, and when played at reference volume, there's no mistaking the sheer power of the soundtrack. The low end's clarity and precision are no match for the finest Blu-ray has to offer -- found in films like Terminator Salvation and War of the Worlds -- but Disney's PCM track does far more than simply hurl wave after punishing wave of sound at the listener. Of course, there's plenty more to like about this track aside from the prodigious low end. The film's music -- courtesy of William Ross (Black Sheep) -- plays as big, spacious, smooth, and satisfying, and the track captures the score's nuances in both the larger action numbers and the smaller, more dramatic themes. The track never misses an opportunity to make full use of the 5.1 setup, consistently engaging the surrounds during both the picture's many firefighting action scenes and in the more reserved moments where the back channels become awash in atmospherics, particularly during several bar scenes where light background music, patron chatter, and clanking dishes bring the environment to life. Solidified by faultless dialogue reproduction, Ladder 49's uncompressed soundtrack both impresses and satisfies on every level.
Disney brings Ladder 49 to Blu-ray with a fair assortment of extra content, headlined by an audio commentary track with Director Jay Russell and Editor Bud Smith. Budding filmmakers will enjoy the discussions on the film's structure both on-camera and off, discussing why the picture is staggered with flashbacks but also speaking on the technical preparations leading up the shoot. They also speak about the actors' firefighting training, the performances of the cast and their understanding of the emotional depth of the picture and the lives of real-life firefighters, the film's nuanced and aggressive sound design meant to engulf the viewer in the realm of the fire, the heroism of firefighters, and much more. Despite some dead air, Russell and Smith deliver what is often a captivating track, and it's well worth a listen. Everyday Heroes (480p, 13:41) contains a collection of interviews with real-life firefighters. The Making of 'Ladder 49' (480p) is a three-part feature that explores several elements behind the construction of the film. On Location (5:28) is the first, the piece looking at the shooting locations and the quality of the actors. Fire Academy: Training the Actors (7:12) takes audiences behind-the-scenes for a look at the actors' preparations for their roles. Finally, Anatomy of a Scene: The Warehouse Fire (8:37) takes an in-depth look at the process of bringing the film's biggest scenes to fruition. Also included are five deleted scenes (480p, 14:05); the "Shine Your Light" music video by Robbie Robertson (480p, 4:16); and Disney's Movie Showcase that features a trio of scenes that demonstrate Blu-ray at its best, though they default to the lossy 5.1 soundtrack.
September 11 changed the way the world looks at firefighters. They were heroes before, yes, but the scale of their sacrifice, upmost dedication to duty, and unflinching courage on that day made them into something greater: real people and not just invisible men in yellow suits with shiny red trucks. Ladder 49 accentuates that point, crafting a band of brothers who fight not on the battlefields of Europe or Southeast Asia but in hometowns and cities against a relentless enemy that shows no mercy. It was never a thankless job, but it's become something greater than a profession; there's a newfound respect not only for the work they do but for the lives they lead and the sacrifices they and their families make on a daily basis in the name of protecting their friends, loved ones, and communities. Ladder 49 is a fitting tribute to firefighters and a must-see film that's packed with raw and real emotions that make it one of the best of its kind. Disney's Blu-ray release of Ladder 49 holds up even today as a solid all-around package. Boasting a quality film-like transfer, a strong uncompressed soundtrack, and a fair collection of bonus materials, this is a disc well worth owning. Recommended.
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