7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Born in a poor town in Georgia, Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz and orchestral influences into his inimitable style. As he revolutionized the way people appreciated music, he simultaneously fought segregation in the very clubs that launched him and championed artists' rights within the corporate music business.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Harry LennixMusic | 100% |
Biography | 85% |
Period | 53% |
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, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Bonus View (PiP)
BD-Live
Mobile features
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
How does one capture the breadth of a childhood as tragic, a life as tumultuous, a career as prolific, a legacy as lasting as that of Ray Charles? In just two-and-a-half hours no less? Legendary actors and acclaimed filmmakers lie dashed on the rocks of such daunting projects, and few biopics have done anything more than pique the interest of filmfans with an affinity for exploring lives grander than their own. Controversial, critically panned, inherently flawed and woefully inept, biopics are the light-rending black holes of cinema; a No Man's Genre many tackle, many depart and many more forsake altogether. But ask the same questions of director Taylor Hackford (The Idolmaker, An Officer and a Gentlemen, The Devil's Advocate) and now-veteran dramatic actor Jamie Foxx and you're certain to learn a thing or two about what and what not to do. Hackford's labor-of-love Ray, fifteen frustrating years in the making, and Foxx's Academy Award-winning performance, an astonishing feat in its own right, are proof positive that -- yes, Hollywood -- it can be done.
"When I'm up there playin', they really shut up and listen. Nobody lookin' down on me, no bad dreams. I'm home free."
One of the last Universal HD DVD releases to arrive on Blu-ray, Ray features a formidable 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that looks every bit as striking as a biopic of its caliber should. Pawel Edelman's Deep South photography simmers with wonderfully muted, summer-struck primaries, gorgeous sun-baked skintones and satisfying, at-times savory black levels. All the while, detail never falters and rarely disappoints. Even with smoke hanging in the air and aged-newspaper shadows haunting every back alley club, fine textures remain undaunted, closeups are crisp and refined, and edge definition is sharp and clean (without any glaring edge enhancement to report). Filmic grain is apparent from time to time, but hardly intrusive, and errant white specks are the only anomalies worth mentioning (the most noticeable of which appear ever so briefly on Foxx's apron at the 16:40 mark). Artifacting, banding and aliasing never sully the results, ringing is kept to an absolute minimum, and noise reduction and smearing are nowhere to be found. As it stands, I doubt Universal could have done much more. Ray isn't just vastly superior to its DVD counterpart, it faithfully renders Hackford and Edelman's every intention and represents one of Universal's finest catalog transfers to date.
Unless you find a way to visit the Ritz Theater in 1945 or sit in on a Swing Time Records recording session in 1951, the best way to experience the fullness and soulfulness of Ray Charles's music is via Universal's lively DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Whether barking "Mess Around," wailing "Drown in My Own Tears" or crying "I Can't Stop Loving You," his baritone barbs punch through the soundscape, rising above the rich, rowdy roar of his piano and mingling above the bluesy madness of his most spirited songs. But it isn't just his singing voice that receives top-tier treatment. Everything from his band to the clubs he plays in to the chatter of an ecstatic crowd is given its proper due, wrapping the listener in the chaos of Charles's surging celebrity. The LFE channel grabs hold of every bass line and tantrum, lending weight and presence to each dramatic turn in the singer's life. The rear speakers aren't as aggressive as I expected, but there's an ease and effortlessness to their subtlety that showcases the immersive properties of the film's ambience and the nuance of its original sound design. Cross-channel pans are smooth and convincing, directionality is accurate and effective, and the soundfield is enveloping, regardless of how quiet, solemn or frenzied a scene becomes. Moreover, dialogue is clear, natural and neatly prioritized throughout, and only a handful of lesser lines struggle to be heard. It's an absorbing experience to say the least; one sure to envelop and engage audiophiles, casual filmfans and students of Charles's music alike.
The Blu-ray edition of Ray also delivers a string of excellent special features including a Picture-in-Picture track, a director's audio commentary, a variety of behind-the-scenes material and more. It would have been nice had all of the video content been presented in high definition, but it's a minor quibble at best.
Walk the Line may be the more powerful biopic, but Ray comes awfully close thanks in large part to Jamie Foxx's jaw-dropping Oscar-winning performance. Universal's Blu-ray release doesn't mess around though, delivering the goods on all fronts. A stunning video transfer, a powerful DTS-HD Master Audio track, an extensive, engrossing supplemental package... each one perfectly suited for filmfans and music lovers of all stripes. Ray isn't going to blow everyone away, but its Blu-ray debut will. Snag a copy and see for yourself.
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Awards O-Ring Slipcover
2005
1987
The Final Cut
1991
2009
2010
2006
2018
1989