Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

The Mule 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Randy Miller III March 25, 2019

Note: All screenshots are taken from the 1080p Blu-ray. Please read my separate Blu-ray review of this title for 20 additional images.

Based on the New York Times article "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule" by Sam Dolnick, Clint Eastwood's The Mule (2018) finds the spry 88-year-old in relatively new territory; it's especially surprising, given his tireless output through the years. He has directed six or more films every decade since the 1970s but has spent much less time acting in recent decades; this is first time he's pulled double duty since 2008's Gran Torino. Eastwood stars as Earl Stone, a Korean War veteran and successful horticulturist who has fallen on hard times during the eighth decade of his life. He's always put work before family, so ex-wife Mary (Dianne Wiest) and estranged daughter Iris (Alison Eastwood) are used to the disappointment of Earl not showing up to important events. Now his flower business has dried up and Earl is at rock bottom: the bank has foreclosed on his farm, his belongings are crammed in the back of a truck half his age, and his family wants nothing to do with him. Instead of changing his ways, all Earl wants to do is drive.

As luck would have it, Earl is approached by a friend of the family and given a unique job opportunity: make a delivery, no questions asked…and given the title of that New York Times piece, it’s no surprise what ends up in the back of Earl’s truck. His spotless driving record, age, and charming personality (when it's useful) make him the polar opposite of “suspicious”, which means he ends up being extremely good at his job. The garage employees who give Earl the cargo and destination, though reluctant at first, learn to appreciate this unorthodox partnership. So does Mexican drug kingpin Laton (Andy García), who considers it a win-win situation. Before long, Earl is known as “Tata” (“grandfather”) and makes one smooth delivery after another. Yet suspicion is soon raised: DEA agent Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper), along with his partner Trevino (Michael Peña), work with informant Luis Rocha (Eugene Cordero) to hunt down the elusive “Tata”, while several mid-tier henchmen grow to resent Laton and his newest employee.

The Mule is slightly more complex than its surface story, effectively balancing the stress and desperation of Earl’s new job with the growing distance at which he travels from his family. More than anything else, it’s a somber and meditative road movie where the aging grandfather ultimately seeks redemption for his tireless work ethic; perhaps it’s even semi-autobiographical, considering Eastwood’s film output. All the while, The Mule deftly wades through grey moral territory within several layers of its story; almost no one is completely good or evil, and we’re all the better for it. Earl makes several attempts to reconnect with his family and even uses most of his earnings to help struggling members of his community. Agent Bates, trying desperately to perform his job despite pressure from his quota-seeking boss (Laurence Fishburne), likewise struggles to maintain his own family life due to long hours. Even Earl’s estranged ex-wife and daughter, at first unwilling to put up with any more of his selfish and reclusive behavior, can’t hold a grudge forever. These small sub-plots, just to name a few, are what separate thoughtful and considerate movies like The Mule from more straightforward popcorn fare that puts thrills and suspense before three-dimensional characters.

The Mule isn’t exactly a seamless effort, as a number of smaller supporting characters are either poorly acted or make almost no lasting impression. Earl’s adult granddaughter Ginny (Taissa Farmiga) feels completely outclassed in every scene she's a part of, while Trevino seemingly exists just so his partner Bates isn’t talking to himself. The script also could’ve used some fine-tuning: a handful of one-liners and glaring plot exposition ultimately distract from the illusion instead of maintaining it. The film also takes a creepy detour during a poolside party at Laton’s Mexican estate, where the camera leers at countless women before they’re ordered to “make Tata comfortable” (did we really need to see all that?), if not earlier during a left-field visit from two prostitutes at a motel. Earl’s constant complaints about “the Internet generation”, cell phones, etc. -- obviously the director speaking for himself -- also wear out their welcome almost immediately but just keep coming. Won’t someone remind Eastwood that The Mule was shot digitally?

Even so, this is a well-crafted film that, like the director, is patient and methodical but still has energy to spare. (Not to mention that many of my criticisms above are found in at least a half-dozen of Eastwood’s recent films, where again I'll bring up Gran Torino.) These are both long-winded ways of saying that fans of the director should rightfully consider The Mule one of his better late-period efforts and, at the very least, a giant leap beyond The 15:17 to Paris, released earlier the same year. That, and it’s obviously got a strong moral center despite all the dubious activity, with Eastwood’s charming performance doing most of the heavy lifting. Luckily, The Mule was greeted warmly by audiences and most critics alike during its theatrical run and should likely do well on home video. Warner Bros.’ 4K combo pack (Blu-ray/DVD also available) features a strong A/V presentation, although the extras leave a lot to be desired.

The Mule 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its approximate original 2.40:1 aspect ratio, The Mule looks quite good on Warner Bros.' 2160p transfer. From what I can gather about the source material, this film was shot digitally in 2.8K resolution (2880 x 1620) with a 2K digital intermediate; basically, it's an upscaled presentation and not true 4K. Despite these potential limitations -- not to mention that The Mule isn't a particularly showy or colorful production -- we're treated to a healthy and organic picture that clearly enjoys a few benefits of the superior format. Close-ups and wide shots fare well here concerning texture and fine detail, both in the wrinkles of our central character and the varied landscapes he drives through. A visit to a Laton's mansion, which ends with a colorful nighttime party, looks all the more impressive due to 4K's increased resolution. Black levels and contrast also fare better in key areas, and the small amount of shimmer I noticed on the Blu-ray's closing credits isn't detectable in 4K. The disc's HDR compatibility also improves its natural color palette, especially some of the warmer interiors and aforementioned landscapes. From the punch of neon signs at night to the vivid hues of Earl's prized day lilies, eye-catching colors often pop out at unexpected moments. Shot on location in New Mexico by Canadian cinematographer Yves Bélanger ( Dallas Buyer's Club), the film's deceptively "normal" appearance often unfolds to reveal beautifully-shot smaller moments in addition to bigger, sweeping Panavision compositions that break up some of the monotony inherent in most road movies. Overall, The Mule's 4K presentation offers a clear step up from the Blu-ray but, for obvious reasons, isn't necessarily a quantum leap beyond it.

The Mule 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Likewise, the DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix makes the most of the film's ordinary soundtrack. The Mule is obviously a dialogue-driven production and mostly takes place either indoors or in cramped car interiors, so most of this material is delivered by the center and front channels. Separation is obvious when several characters are involved in overlapping conversations, with good placement that feels entirely natural. Outdoor scenes feel considerably wider and more spacious with accompanying background ambiance. Less frequent crowded scenes, such as the flower convention early on or Laton's nighttime pool party, boast a much more dynamic presence with strong music and more obvious rear channel activity. Actual soundtrack cues, though sparse (much of the music is heard on car radios), have a similar amount of weight. Overall, The Mule isn't a terribly active film and this lossless mix represents it accurately.

Optional English, Spanish, and French subtitles have been included during the main feature and all extras. Occasional burnt-in subtitles also translate Spanish dialogue when necessary. Both are placed within the 2.39:1 frame.

The Mule 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Not much to dig through here, which is disappointing -- a commentary or deleted scenes would have been nice. The following extras are included on the Blu-ray disc only.

• "Nobody Runs Forever: The Making of The Mule" (10:59, 1080p) - This short but enjoyable behind-the-scenes featurette includes comments from actor/director Clint Eastwood, producer Kristina Rivera, screenwriter Nick Schenk, actors Ingacio Serricchio ("Julio"), Andy Garcia ("Laton"), Alison Eastwood ("Iris"), and Bradley Cooper ("Agent Colin Bates"), as well as producer Tim Moore and other members of the cast and crew. Although it doesn't have time to go into great detail, it briefly touches upon Gran Torino, adapting the original story, growing day lilies, building a stash house and researching drug cartels, shooting on the road, wardrobes and costume design, stories from the set, and more. It's a nice little piece that should have been longer.

• Toby Keith "Don't Let the Old Man In" Music Video (2:54, 1080p / Dolby Digital 2.0) - A pretty standard "movie soundtrack music video" featuring clips from the film and...no Toby Keith. Huh.

The Mule 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Whether The Mule ends up being actor/director Clint Eastwood's swan song or not, this is a clearly a well-crafted film with a great central performance that fans should enjoy. While the subject matter feels like unexpected territory for him as an actor, Eastwood fits the role perfectly and, behind the camera, imbues the film with a somber but charming atmosphere that's peppered with genuinely great moments. Those expecting a tense, white-knuckle thriller should remember that it stars a man older than the George Washington Bridge. Warner Bros.' 4K offers a superior A/V presentation with the benefits of HDR, even if the differences aren't as apparent during some scenes. This, combined with the same audio mix and lackluster extras on the Blu-ray edition, make it a less essential upgrade than most 4K discs currently available. It's still recommended, but mostly to die-hard fans of the film and its director.