6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The movie tells the origins of Solomon Kane and is hoped to be the first of a trilogy of movies. When the story opens Kane is a mercenary of Queen Elizabeth I fighting in Africa, but after an encounter with a demon, The Reaper, he realizes he must seek redemption or have his soul damned to Hell. He returns to Engand and lives a life of peace, converting to puritanism, but soon the doings of an evil sorceror upset his plans and he must take up arms again.
Starring: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Pete Postlethwaite, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Jason FlemyngAction | 100% |
Fantasy | 5% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Bonus View (PiP)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Michael J. Bassett's "Solomon Kane" (2009) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Entertainment in Video. The supplemental features on the disc include two audio commentaries; introduction by director Michael J. Bassett; storyboard comparison; making of; montage clip; interviews with producers Samuel Hadida and Paul Berrow, director Michael J. Bassett, actor James Purefoy, and composer Klaus Badelt; deleted scene; special effects footage; concept artworks; and the films original theatrical trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
The Sinner
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer,
Michael J. Bassett's Solomon Kane arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Entertainment in Video.
This is a solid high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is excellent, clarity pleasing and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. The color-scheme is also excellent; the cold blues, greens, browns, grays, blacks and whites look terrific. Edge-enhancement and macroblocking are certainly not a serious issue of concern; neither is artifacting. Furthermore, blown through a digital projector Solomon Kane looks quite impressive, with the large panoramic scenes from medieval England being particularly striking. My only minor complain with this high-definition transfer pertains to how a few of the final scenes - and specifically the decisive clash between Solomon Kane and his enemies - look. A few of the CGI effects are indeed quite overwhelming, boasting colors that I thought looked very unnatural, and are probably more appropriate for a video game of some sort. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free SA or PS3 in order to access its content).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Entertainment in Video have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is solid. The bass is strong and punchy, the rear channels very active and effective, and the high-frequencies not overdone. Many of the action scene convey impressive dynamic depth, which compliments the film's lavish visuals very well. The finale, in particular, is very intense. Additionally, the dialog is crisp, clean, stable and very easy to follow. There are no balance issues with Klaus Badelt's excellent music score either. Finally, while viewing the film, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings to report in this review.
Audio commentary - an audio commentary with director Michael J. Bassett and actor James Purefoy. The two gentlemen discuss how certain scenes in the film were shot, what sacrifices the cast and crew members had to make in order to achieve their goals, as well as how different parts of the film were put together. Generally speaking, this is an informative but quite dry commentary, which I did not find to be terribly effective.
Audio commentary - I found this commentary by director Michael J. Bassett to be a lot more detailed and inspired. Here the director focuses not only on the production history of the film but also on many of its key characters and unique locations. He also carefully analyzes a lot of the important scenes in the film.
Introduction - a short video introduction to the film by director Michael J. Bassett. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).
Storyboard comparison - a picture in picture featurette allowing one to watch the film and at the same time compare specific scenes from it to the original storyboards its creators worked with.
The Making of Solomon Kane - a standard featurette with raw footage from the film and short comments from various cast and crew members. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).
Montage clip - (2 min).
Interviews - the interviewees address the film's production history, unique story, characters, cast, memorable soundtrack, the different filming locations, etc.
-- with producers Samuel Hadida and Paul Berrow. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).
-- with director Michael J. Bassett. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).
-- with actor James Purefoy. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).
-- with composer Klaus Badelt. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).
Deleted scene - one deleted scene. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).
Special effects - a short piece about the making of the Fire Demon seen the final third of the film. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).
Artworks - a collage of conceptual artworks by Greg Staples. (2 min, 1080i).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for the film. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).
There is more style than substance in Solomon Kane, but I suppose this is precisely why many people would want to see it. For the most part, I enjoyed it. I think that if you choose to see it on a lazy Sunday afternoon, you will as well. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of British distributors Entertainment in Video, looks very good and sounds outstanding. It is, however, Region-B "locked". RECOMMENDED.
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