5.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A detective and a psychoanalyst uncover evidence of a satanic cult while investigating the rape of a young woman.
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Emma Watson, Dale Dickey, David Thewlis, Adam ButcherHorror | 100% |
Drama | 81% |
Mystery | 76% |
Thriller | 71% |
Psychological thriller | 49% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Director Alejandro Amenábar's Regression comes to the screen "inspired by real events" that have been fleshed out for film by Amenábar's own hand. The film, which stars Ethan Hawke as a Minnesota detective and Emma Watson as an alleged victim of sexual abuse that may be attached to satanic rituals, tackles a dark subject with an appropriately noir-inspired façade. It's not particularly compelling or creative, but the movie proves adequately engaging as it slowly processes themes and maneuvers through challenging material that's visually bleak and emotionally traumatic.
Looking for answers.
Regression's 1080p transfer favors the movie's inherently dark façade. Colors are largely limited to shades of black, dark blue, and gray, with even brighter colors on clothes and natural greenery appearing rather dim under overcast conditions. The palette displays as well as can be expected under the movie's constraints. Details never suffer. Faces and clothes are crisply defined, revealing finer points with ease. Image clarity is stable and background sharpness is just as impressive as the foreground. Black levels, particularly in nighttime exteriors, enjoy positive depth and balance. Flesh tones are fine, though again under the movie's moody overlay. Compression anomalies and other maladies are infrequent and never an intrusion.
Regression features a very active and immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Sound placement and stage manipulation are highlights. The movie's sound design makes excellent use of every channel at its disposal, placing static voices and maneuvering sounds of terror all over the listening area. Sounds literally swirl and discrete effects are plentiful, creating a detailed environment that helps add plenty of frights and tension to several key scenes. Sound movement is fluid and precise. Ambient effects are impressive. Driving rain saturates the listening area with ease. Office din is satisfyingly rich and detailed, which includes working equipment, footsteps, and chatter. Deep, rumbly bass supports several key scenes. Music enjoys excellent spacing, definition, and surround detail. Dialogue delivery is even, center placed, and the beneficiary of top-notch prioritization and clarity.
Regression contains four featurettes. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.
Regression isn't a bad film. It's not a great film. The movie is effectively atmospheric, expertly photographed and edited, and home to several good performances. But it's not particularly challenging. Even if its inevitable destination isn't clear, the road towards it proves all too familiar. The movie works well enough to warrant a watch, but it's not destined to be remembered as a classic in its genre. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Regression delivers solid video, engaging audio, and a few supplements. Definitely worth a rental and perhaps a purchase at an aggressively low price; there's just not a ton of replay value to the movie or the Blu-ray disc.
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