5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The intriguing life of Nikola Tesla, as a young man in NYC.
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Eve Hewson, Kyle MacLachlan, Josh Hamilton, Jim GaffiganBiography | 100% |
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
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In 2019, “The Current War” finally made its way into theaters after a lengthy release delay. It explored the story of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla and their battle to control the future of electricity. It was a flashy feature that didn’t generate much interest from the public, but now there’s “Tesla,” which also details power plays between two men devoted to the energy cause, but for entirely different reasons. While “The Current War” tried to get up and running with broad screen style, “Tesla” is more of a filmed play, with director Michael Almereyda inspecting the inner life of the titular character, using a theatrical presentation and anachronistic touches to provide creative fingerprints on a story that largely exists in legend. Almereyda remains true to his vision with the endeavor, which has its imaginative moments, but largely broods itself to a full stop on a few occasions.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation protects the particulars of the moody viewing experience, which balances a darker period look with moments of bright electric experimentation and rural illumination. Delineation remains intact, dealing with deep blacks on costuming and shadowy encounters. Colors are balanced, cutting through limited lighting with bright electrical experiments. Clear whites are appealing, identifying lighting sources. Skintones are natural. Detail is clear, identifying bushy facial hair and weathered skin, and woolen clothing is fibrous. Banding is periodically detected, along with some mild, brief blockiness.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix secures crisp dialogue exchanges, which often deal with thick accents and mutterings from Tesla. Scoring cues are distinct, with sharp instrumentation, and electropop additions provide some heavier beats. Surrounds are active with room tone and musical selections, which offer a full, circular sound. Community bustle and naturalistic movement is present, as the production uses such sonic activity to sell the artificiality it employs.
Flashes of behavior remain in "Tesla," including the subject's OCD and his fixation on Bernahrdt, despite Anne's clear interest in him. However, Almereyda elects to remain in a dreamlike state, making the feature ideal for those who don't want a sense of development in their tales of real-world achievements. "Tesla" would rather remain elusive, leading to a closing offering of musical impishness some viewers will respond positively to, but mostly plays like the worst idea of the film year. There's a real Rorschach test viewing experience here, but, more often than not, the most electric ideas of the picture are smothered by a misguided plan of mischief and moodiness. The helmer doesn't have enough fun with the movie, and when it does crank up the silliness, it feels totally wrong.
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Director's Cut
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