6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 3.7 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
A retired US Navy pilot comes to Mexico, where he falls in love with the wife of a powerful businessman. The consequences will be cruel and unforeseen.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Anthony Quinn, Madeleine Stowe, Sally Kirkland, Tomas MiliánDrama | 100% |
Thriller | 53% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: LPCM 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Theatrical Edition
1997
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2012
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1989
2012
1997-2003
2015
4K Restoration
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2014
Unrated
2012
Cidade dos Homens
2007
2019