8.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.4 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
A research chemist comes under personal and professional attack when he decides to appear in a "60 Minutes" expose on Big Tobacco.
Starring: Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora, Philip Baker HallDrama | 100% |
Biography | 99% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0 (320 kbps)
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Times They are a-Changin'. It wasn't so long ago that journalistic integrity was a commodity, corporate interests didn't dictate the news cycle and a show like 60 Minutes was a venerated institution. Alas, 24-Hour News has replaced Evening News' discernible truth with opinion, broad commentary and questionable conjecture. An increasing number of leading journalists no longer adhere to fundamental journalistic principles. Fact is becoming more and more subjective by the minute, as audiences seek out whatever news source will satisfy their particular itch or affirm their personal beliefs. Suddenly, The Insider is more than a harrowing character drama and master class in true story filmmaking. It's an eerily prescient and all too timely cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing business and news to marry, and it resonates more today than it ever has. It also happens to be one of the best movies of 1999, backed by Al Pacino and Russell Crowe's powerhouse performances, Dante Spinotti's striking Oscar-nominated cinematography, Best Director nominee Michael Mann's watchful eye and ever-steady hand, and Mann and co-writer Eric Roth's sharply scripted, tightly paced indictment of the ills of the tobacco industry and the failings of modern journalism.
Disney doesn't exactly have the greatest track record when it comes to Buena Vista and Touchstone catalog releases, but The Insider is something special. Its beautifully filmic 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video transfer is as impressive as just about anyone could hope for, and free from any significant artifacts or encoding issues. Grain has been preserved and refined, edges are crisp and resistant to ringing, fine textures are clean and exceptionally well-resolved, and shadow delineation, though a bit on the unforgiving side, isn't prone to crushing or home to errant noise. Dante Spinotti's palette shifts dramatically from scene to scene as intended, complete with twice-baked oranges, overcast blues, pale greens and deep, almost oppressive black levels. Contrast is a touch hot, yes, with more than a few instances of oversaturated skintones (particularly in regards to Christopher Plummer), but again, it's all in keeping with Mann and Spinotti's intentions. And while those familiar with the Blu-ray edition's DVD counterpart will note the resulting image is much darker and richer than in previous presentations, it would be a mistake to immediately assume contrast has been over-cranked or the original source has been subjected to any disastrous tweaking. It's dangerous to view a DVD as an accurate representation of the film negative, and anyone who does so in this case will miss out on everything the new presentation does oh so right. My only complaint? Slight halos are visible from time to time. Thankfully, it's exceedingly minor and doesn't hinder The Insider at all.
It would be easy to dismiss Disney's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track as front-heavy or serviceable, especially during the film's quieter moments. Take even a moment to focus on the lossless mix, though, and you'll quickly realize just how effective it is. Dialogue is grounded in Mann's reality, often challenging voices but never drowning out dialogue or accomplishing anything other than creating a convincing, naturalistic and decidedly immersive soundfield. Rear speaker activity is subdued but wholly satisfying, and latches on to the subtleties of bustling news rooms, downpours, seaside conversations and more crowded locales. LFE output is weighty and assertive, lending the film sonic depth and power, even in those moments when Pieter Bourke and Lisa Gerrard's score surges forward and dominates the soundscape. Dynamics are excellent too, as is directionality, cross-channel pans and overall fidelity. It may not be readily apparent, but The Insider couldn't sound much better than it does here.
Only two extras are included: a short production featurette (SD, 7 minutes) and a theatrical trailer (SD, 3 minutes).
The Insider is a compelling, unexpectedly timely adaptation of a riveting true story, not to mention a critically hailed Best Picture nominee that should have taken home many of the Oscars that instead went to American Beauty. Much to my delight, Disney's Blu-ray release treats it as such. While only a scant few extras find their way onto the disc, the studio's video presentation is stunning and its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is an example of restrained catalog audio done right. Easily one of Michael Mann's greatest films (second only to Heat), The Insider comes highly recommended.
2013
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2015
1973
Two-Disc Special Edition | featuring All the President's Men Revisited
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Election Year Edition
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Warner Archive Collection
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