Modesty Blaise Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		1.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		2.0

Modesty Blaise Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 12, 2016

In the craze to replicate the increasing box office fortunes of the James Bond franchise in the 1960s, producers went hunting for their own superspy properties, looking for material rich with style, loaded with absurdities, and capable of launching multiple sequels. Director Joseph Losey was put in charge of 1966’s “Modesty Blaise,” an adaptation of a British comic strip (created by Peter O’Donnell), tasked with turning static black and white images into a boldly colored adventure, soaked in the juices of the era. The merriment is there for the taking, but “Modesty Blaise” is an unnervingly inert picture that’s too caught up in visual flash, offering a story that peters out after the first act.

Monica Vitti stars as the titular daredevil, pulled into a diamond protection scheme with partner Willie (Terence Stamp), putting her through a routine of offense and defense as she sorts through villainy masterminded by Gabriel (Dick Bogarde). What should be high-flying adventure is slowed to a crawl by Losey, who takes his time creating the comic strip world, favoring elaborate sets and locations, and, for reasons not entirely understood, oversized drinkware. It’s a striking picture at times, pursuing visual tastes of the era that bend reality and color, trying to wrap a stylized experience around his star, who doesn’t have the spirit to embody what appears to be a deliciously dangerous spy.

Modesty Blaise Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation isn't gifted a fresh remaster to bring "Modesty Blaise" to Blu-ray in style. Instead, this appears to be a fairly old master featuring baked-in DNR issues that smooth over fine detail, flattening the numerous design achievements and reaction shots that power the feature. Main titles are windowboxed. Colors are available but on the blah side, lacking oomph to match intended vibrancy, especially with costume design and the movie's extensive use of psychedelic wallpaper. Skintones are muddy. Delineation isn't disastrous, but the picture rarely tests darkness. Damage is minimal, with speckling and periodic scratches on display.

Modesty Blaise Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix doesn't have the energy or crispness required to boost the feature's appeal, remaining mostly low-key, concentrating on the production's extensive dubbing, which doesn't even crystallize dialogue exchanges. Scoring is appreciable but missing snap, while soundtrack selections are functional, never remarkable. Sound effects are blunt but understood. Popping emerges intermittently.

Modesty Blaise Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian David Del Valle and filmmaker Armand Mastroianni.

• Interview (13:18, HD) with first assistant director Gavrik Losey is a technical and loaded conversation that covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Prepared to share a few things about the "Modesty Blaise" shoot, Losey talks of technical challenges and creative differences, while criticizing Vitti for her lackluster star turn.

• Interview (8:28, HD) with Evan Jones is a more candid discussion of the picture with its screenwriter, who fully admits the movie doesn't work, finding difficulty translating the original work. Also, more negative attention is put on Vitti.

• Interview (3:58, HD) with assistant art director Norman Dorme is a brief chat, mostly covering personnel issues.

• Animated Image Gallery collects photos from publicity and marketing efforts.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:37, SD) is included.

Modesty Blaise Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Chaotic cinematography and nonsensical editing also cripple "Modesty Blaise," which soon abandons storytelling intention to indulge its actors, pushing the run time to a full two hours -- a good 45 minutes longer than fluff like this should last. "Modesty Blaise" has the strut of a cheeky spy spoof, but no real direction to go in, leaving all the design achievements in limbo, waiting for a better film to arrive.