6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Four soldiers from the army's Negro 92nd Division find themselves separated from their unit and behind enemy lines. Risking their lives for a country in which they are treated with less respect than the enemy they are fighting, they discover humanity in the small Tuscan village of St. Anna di Stazzema.
Starring: Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso, Omar Benson Miller, Pierfrancesco FavinoDrama | 100% |
Thriller | 97% |
War | 88% |
Crime | 83% |
Action | 68% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
BDInfo
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
With Disney's two-volume, four-movie Spike Lee Joint Collection, three additional films from the prolific director make their Blu-ray debut. Both sets are something of a mixed bag, albeit for different reasons. Vol. 1 features masterfully written and performed, low-key character study 25th Hour (2002) and the mismatched but compelling He Got Game (1998), each of which showcase a distinct side of Lee's talents and vision. Easily the most tempting of the collection, Vol. 1 may be an odd pairing, but it's one that represents the filmmaker at an interesting intersect in his career; before the likes of Oldboy (2013) -- an abysmal remake in every conceivable way -- left viewers questioning whether Lee still, erm, got game. Vol. 2 is the trickier collection, with excellent but oft-overlooked period piece Summer of Sam (1999) dragged down by misguided war drama Miracle at St. Anna (2008), a late career misfire first released in high definition in 2009 (the only film previously available on BD). Completests will no doubt want to acquire Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, while other longtime Lee fans will lament the fact that the films haven't been granted individual releases (particularly for those who already own Miracle and are only looking to pick up Summer). Thankfully, notable AV presentations and newly recorded audio commentaries will help ensure almost everyone get's their money's worth.
Miracle at St. Anna was originally released on Blu-ray in 2009 and it holds up well. Of its 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer, reviewer Martin Liebman writes: "The film features two distinct looks -- those that take place in the United States (regardless of time) and those that take place in 1944 Italy. Those stateside shots sparkle in high definition. They feature first-class clarity, detail, and color reproduction; no shot may look quite as vibrant as the most colorful of Blu-ray discs, but it offers a quality lifelike look that sports a natural, perhaps slightly subdued, appearance. Most of the film takes place in 1944 Italy, and such scenes present viewers with a gritty, washed out, dull, and very grainy image. Detail remains impeccable for the look the film presents during these wartime sequences. The finest details on the uniforms stand out, from the rank patches on the sleeves to the ridges and wear on the hand grenades attached to their shirts. Even the netting on the helmets stands out with excellent texture. Again, the transfer doesn't equate to high definition eye candy; instead, and more importantly, it represents, and faithfully recreates, the intended look of the film brilliantly. In both cases, flesh tones appear spot-on and black levels are impeccable. No matter the scene, Miracle at St. Anna looks fantastic."
Martin Liebman continues his AV assessment of Miracle at St. Anna, turning to its DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack: "As expected, the highlight of the soundtrack comes during the action sequences. Bass thumps with each explosion and gunfire crackles from every direction. Artillery shells scream around the soundstage, and listeners will be able to feel both the ground rattle under the power of the high velocity projectiles and rumblings of the subsequent explosions. The score swells nicely around the soundstage, and atmospherics -- the rolling water, the breeze, and gunfire and explosions in the distance that pop sporadically in every direction -- fill the soundstage with these sounds with vigor and accuracy. Nevertheless, much of the film is dialogue-driven, and in that regard the track is also first-class. Dialogue is crisp and intelligible, coming across even better than most discs. Whether the way it was recorded or simply a new high in soundtrack presentation, the recorded spoken word has rarely sounded as natural as it does here. Also, the track enjoys a nice bit of atmosphere during the middle sections of the film. Much of it plays out through the front, but the results are consistently impressive. Like the video quality, this lossless DTS soundtrack impresses no matter the situation."
If nothing else, Miracle at St. Anna boasts excellent video, stirring audio and a solid selection of special features, including a newly recorded audio commentary. Alas, the film itself is a difficult-to-digest, hit or miss war drama that's so unfocused at times that Lee seems positively indecisive. The real gem of The Spike Lee Joint Collection: Vol. 2 is the oft-overlooked Summer of Sam, which is worth the price of admission alone. But who knows? You might find an appreciation for Miracle at St. Anna that runs deeper than its flaws. It never hurts to try.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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