Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Infiltrator Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 14, 2016

“The Infiltrator” has all the elements of a classic undercover cop story, including a conflicted protagonist, a Floridian setting, and a secretive world of drug dealing. It presents a true-life tale that offers fascinating characters and heated showdowns, yet director Brad Furman doesn’t quite know if he wants the picture to be a sincere study of a lawman’s loss of self or a ridiculously overcooked crime tale with a few operatic extremes. “The Infiltrator” is unsatisfying and weirdly absurd at times, but it’s not a complete blunder, blessed with a cast that’s capable of finding nuances in the moment, bringing friendships and antagonisms to life in a way that Furman is incapable of doing on his own.

A dedicated DEA agent working the hard streets of Tampa in 1985, Robert Mazur (Bryan Cranston) is frustrated with attempts to disrupt drug shipments coming in from South America, taking anxiety home to wife Evelyn (Juliet Aubrey) and his two kids. Handed an opportunity to destroy the trail of dirty money that floods Florida, Robert goes undercover as an ace launderer capable of protecting cartel cash, paying specific attention to Roberto (Benjamin Bratt), who’s employed by Pablo Escobar. Paired with Kathy (Diane Kruger), a fellow agent assigned to portray his trophy girlfriend, Robert immerses himself in this dangerous world, making connections with evil men in charge of keeping cocaine in supply, while developing a friendship with Roberto, getting a first-hand peek at the crook’s family life as he pieces together a sweeping case that could potentially ruin underworld dealings for key players in the drug business.

In a sign of bad luck for “The Infiltrator,” its best scene in the movie is also its first scene. We meet Robert on the job, setting up a money exchange at a bowling alley, flirting with a waitress who’s sniffing around for free coke. Something’s agitating him, but he remains focused, trying to keep what initially appears to be a heart attack under control long enough to get out into the open, completing the bust. Without even understanding the character and his mission, Furman achieves masterful tension with a healthy portion of disorientation, launching the feature with a promise of even deeper cuts of professional misery, spotlighting Robert’s way with dicey situations that require training and instinct to survive. Sadly, “The Infiltrator” doesn’t build on the introduction, instead embarking on a more traditional tale of duty and detachment, quickly transforming into an episode of an ongoing television series.

Furman strives to remain cinematic with “The Infiltrator,” but the screenplay by Ellen Brown Furman (adapting Mazur’s biography) often plays like something fished out Stephen J. Cannell’s trash can. Instead of probing deep into Robert’s splintered psyche, understanding the headspace required to put one’s life on the line every day to secure a morsel of justice, the feature only provides a superficial understanding of motivation, depicting Robert as a fatigued man looking to achieve one final victory by going after the titans of the drug trade, sacrificing his relationship with Evelyn in the process. Cliches are common, and the material’s sense of group effort is lacking, finding partner Emir’s (John Leguizamo) violent, blood-splattering asides more about adding touches of exploitation to “The Infiltrator” than identifying real threat coming from the cartels. Furman’s out to craft his own take on “The Godfather,” lifting scenes from the classic while slowly sinking Robert into trouble, but nothing innovative is offered, only routine, with the most pronounced offering of formula focusing on Robert’s union with Roberto, growing to like the drug dealer and his family, threatening the pursuit of justice.

The Infiltrator Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a crisp, clear viewing experience, handling the limitations of the HD-shot feature. Detail is superb, offering real power with close-ups, which pick up every pore and hair, while subtle performances choices are easily observed. Fibrous textures on costuming are sharp, and set decoration is open for survey, especially valuable when taking in lavish criminal homes. Colors are bright and beautiful, offering pronounced greenery and clothing, making primaries stand out with power. More intricate lighting efforts, including extensive neon visuals, are secured to satisfaction. Delineation periodically struggles.

The Infiltrator Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Soundtrack cuts are the most exciting addition to the 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix, finding music most appealing, adding dimension and depth, while instrumentation remains tight. Scoring cues are equally welcome, delivering intended mood. Dialogue exchanges are engaging, isolating urgency and grand performances, never losing position as tensions rise. Accents are easily followed. Surrounds aren't especially active but capture atmospherics, delivering deeper outdoor environments and echo interiors, and group activity has its highlights. Sound effects retain fullness and snap.

The Infiltrator Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features actor Bryan Cranston and director Brad Furman.

• Deleted Scenes (HD) are listed as "The Name" (1:41), "Hide and Seek" (2:07), "Emergencies Only" (1:45), "Almighty Dollar" (2:04), and "Cop or Robber" (1:15). While the snipped bits do not significantly alter characterization, it does give co-stars Amy Ryan, Leguizamo, and Kruger a little more to do, while Cranston samples intensity as Robert's paranoia is pushed into the red.

• "The Three Bobs" (3:18, HD) takes a look at the lead character's multiple personalities, with Cranston (interviewed on-set) discussing his approach to the lawman's change of personality and appearance, identifying tricks that kept Robert focused. Also adding to the conversation is the real Robert Mazur (his face is shadowed), who shares tales of reality behind the picture's invention.

• "How to Infiltrate" (HD) is broken up into "Psychology" (1:59), "Identity" (1:57), and "Danger" (1:55). Cranston and Mazur return to explore the screenplay's behavioral and criminal layers, providing a surface explanation of motivation for featurette needs. Joining them are Kruger and Leguizamo, along with the real Kathy Ertz and Emir Abreu, who, unlike Mazur, have no problem exposing their faces to the camera.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

The Infiltrator Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As "The Infiltrator" struggles to come up something to do besides paint by numbers, Cranston remains committed to the cause, delivering quality work as Robert, communicating the internal drive of the undercover agent to connect the investigative dots using secret recordings and establishing toxic relationships. Robert's submersion into the world is the most credible aspect of the feature thanks to Cranston's acting (Bratt has strong scenes too), though he's ultimately no match for the screenplay, which doesn't always explain onscreen events to satisfaction, eventually leading to a grand finale at a wedding that's riddled with logic problems. "The Infiltrator" keeps up Furman's recent run of mediocrity (including "The Lincoln Lawyer" and "Runner Runner"), a disappointing reality considering the dramatic potential of the story. It's a dull take on a pressurized situation, and the film's insistence on predictability limits its potential for suspense.