Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Revenge Blu-ray Movie Review

A solid Thriller turned unremarkable Blu-ray.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 20, 2009

A woman like that...you'd do almost anything to keep her.

Tony Scott's name may not be held in the same regard as Spielberg, Jackson, Cameron, Tarantino, and several other of Hollywood's power elite, but like his better-recognized colleagues, Scott (and his brother Ridley) has churned out consistently well-made and memorable pictures for decades; Tony's resumé reads as more of a collection of fan-favorites (Top Gun, Crimson Tide, True Romance, Man on Fire) than the bona-fide classics that headline older brother Ridley's best-of list (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down), but he's certainly one of Tinseltown's best both in terms of longevity and consistency and professional-grade craftsmanship behind the camera. Though a film that often seems lost in the shuffle of Tony's body of work, his 1990 picture Revenge is no less engaging and strongly crafted, the picture a simple one yet charged with high eroticism and gritty violence that often make it hard to watch but at the same time impossible to resist for its effective and no-frills approach to the material.

Left for dead.

Longtime Naval aviator Michael J. Cochran (Kevin Costner, JFK) is turning in his wings and heading to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in search of the quiet life. There, he meets up with his old friend, "Tibby" Mendez (Anthony Quinn, Lawrence of Arabia), and meets Tibby's much younger wife, Miryea (Madeleine Stowe, 12 Monkeys). An innocent flirtation between Michael and Miryea turns quickly into a torrid love affair. Though against their better judgments, the affair continues on through a plan to deceive Tibby so they may find more time to spend together. Nevertheless, Tibby is on to them, and his quest to punish the lovers leads to a series of terribly violent events that destroys a long-standing friendship and threatens the lives of everyone involved.

Revenge seems like a film lost in time, its style far more reminiscent of Tony Scott's later work like Man on Fire and Domino than his somewhat more glossy pictures like Top Gun. Additionally, Revenge is a film that's far more subdued and deliberate. It's story is classic in origin, one that's been told time and again in numerous contexts but Scott nevertheless makes the film intriguing and engaging despite something of a slow plot and long stretches of tedium that themselves retain something of a tangible purpose and personal tone. In Revenge, there are no heroes and villains; like a classic gritty Western, there are only people looking out for their own interests, every character in some way greatly flawed. In a way, Revenge is a film deliberately crafted to paint the true villain as something of a hero; Cochran is certainly no honorable man, yet Scott manipulates the audience into cheering for him, anyway. It's an intriguing sensation and a bold stroke; it works in its own demented way, but only as a result of the "every character is flawed" angle where none of them particularly appealing, each differentiated only by varying degrees of nastiness.

Scott supports the anti-hero tone of the picture with gritty visuals and excessive violence. The film itself appears rough around the edges, anything but slick and clean. The characters' unappealing natures are reinforced by Scott's vision of a hot, sticky, inhospitable visual tone that's not overbearing but unmistakable in presence. Revenge is atmospheric and intense, fearful and exotic, grimy and violent; it's the antithesis of the more standard Action movies that are dangerous but fun. Scott's film is certainly not entertaining in the traditional sense, but it's voyeuristically engaging and particularly unsettling; it's hard to look away, whether during the intensely erotic scenes or the gruesome aftermaths that truly define the film, particularly in conjunction with the often deliberately miserable visual tone and run-down locales. Completing the picture are several fine performances; Anthony Quinn in particular delivers a seamless and haunting performance as the man wronged but himself not with sin, his effort here the cornerstone of the film even if his screen time lacks behind headliner Kevin Costner. Costner's performance is intense and focused, the actor showing a darker side not generally associated with him when considering his work in films such as Field of Dreams, Swing Vote, and even something with a little more teeth like The Untouchables and Wyatt Earp. Also turning in strong efforts though in smaller but no less important roles in the film's second half are veteran character actors James Gammon (Major League) and Miguel Ferrer (RoboCop).

Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Revenge comes to Blu-ray with a messy 1080p, 2.39:1-framed transfer. Tony Scott's gritty and unforgiving approach to the material is found in nearly very frame; this is certainly an image that pales next to even the most mediocre of high definition transfers, but as with the judgment of any Blu-ray's visual strengths and weaknesses, its faithfulness to director intent remains the foremost grounds for analysis, and this image, brutally unattractive as it is, seems consistent with Scott's intended visual tone. Revenge's rough and messy appearance is evidenced throughout; many shots appear hazy and/or soft with poorly-resolved and smudgy details. Close-up shots are a bit more forgiving, though there's still an excessive and unnatural sharpness to facial close-ups, for instance, that isn't particularly attractive. Colors often appear overcooked, and flesh tones take on a decidedly red tint in many scenes. The image never appears flat, but there's not a strong sense of depth, either. Haloing often finds its way onto the screen, and blacks can appears somewhat messy. Revenge certainly isn't the sort of film that high definition enthusiasts will use to demonstrate the power of Blu-ray, but Sony's transfer nevertheless seems to capture Scott's intended tone for the film well enough.

Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sony's Blu-ray release of Revenge contains a PCM 5.1 uncompressed soundtrack. Though the track delivers a few hints of a higher-octane listen, this one is generally bland, with front-heavy atmospherics and lacking in the precision clarity associated with the finest high definition soundtracks. The most sonically-intense moment comes at the beginning of the film; an F-15 fighter jet screams through the sky with thunderous volume and excellent directional movements. The sonic boom and the jet's passage from front to back and side-to-side makes for a solid -- particularly in the context of Revenge's otherwise pedestrian sound design -- listen. Atmospherics effects -- buzzing insects, chirping birds, and even the mechanical clicking of a water sprinkler -- are nicely done but limited to front-channel duty. Outside of the nuts-and-bolts and a few harder-hitting sound effects, such as shotgun blasts, there's little of note in this one. Revenge is primarily a dialogue-drive picture, and while everything about the track is just fine within the confines of the film's sound design, there's nothing here that's of particular note in the realm of Blu-ray soundtracks.

Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Revenge features two extras of note. First is a feature-length commentary track with Director Tony Scott. The director discusses the story's life before the film, the film's controversial images, the differences between this version of the film and the longer cut, Scott's involvement and the film's place in his career, the performances of the cast, sets and shooting locations, and much more. Scott's comments are informative and revealing, and fans of the film or its director will want to give this track a chance. Obsession: The Sex and Violence of 'Revenge' (480p, 14:45) examines not only the piece's title subjects but also the history of the production and the various changes along the way. Also included are 1080p trailers for Casino Royale, Into the Blue, and Basic Instinct 2.

Revenge Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Though probably not the first film that will spring to mind when considering Director Tony Scott's body of work, Revenge is nevertheless a slightly underrated and gritty Thriller that's not headlining or career-defining stuff for any involved, but it's a solid overall outing that's something of a precursor to Scott's 21st century style that's defined some of his best efforts. Featuring a story seemingly as old as time but given a rather dark and disturbing treatment here, Revenge offers no heroes or villains but rather a simple story of three lives gone very wrong. Supported by strong acting across the several primary characters, Revenge is a film well worth checking out. Sony's Blu-ray release sports an unattractive picture quality but one that seems more a result of Scott's vision than any terrible technical deficiencies on the disc, but Blu-ray fans hoping for a consistently sharp and clear image will be disappointed. Additionally, the included PCM uncompressed track is fine but not stimulating, and the supplements are few. Revenge is well worth a rent, though fans might want to consider a purchase at the right price.