The Organization Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

The Organization Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 16, 2015

Completing a trilogy that began with 1967’s “In the Heat of the Night,” 1971’s “The Organization” is the final film to feature actor Sidney Poitier as the character Virgil Tibbs. A forceful, smart cop trying to undermine growing criminal interests, Tibbs receives a little help from the neighborhood in “The Organization,” which concerns the actions of a vigilante group who need the detective to help stop drug smugglers in San Francisco, putting everyone in the line of fire.

As with any second sequel, “The Organization” is heavy with fatigue, relying on Poitier to carry enough intensity for everyone as the plot loses itself to excessive details and characters. Director Don Medford, a longtime television helmer, brings a small-screen aesthetic to the material, with “The Organization” feeling like a primetime pilot for a Tibbs series. The opening carries inspiration, tracking a break-in at a furniture factory that offers almost no dialogue for the first 15 minutes of the movie. The rest of the feature doesn’t match that ambition, bogged down by uninteresting developments in the case, which extends to organized crime, a shady widow, and the possibly duplicitous actions of the police, leaving Tibbs exposed to trouble. Excitement is rare, though the effort periodically snaps to attention, taking in a few chases and heated exchanges between the cops and the well-intentioned vigilantes (including Raul Julia and Ron O’Neal).

The Organization Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't offer a recent scan to bring out the details of the gritty, streetwise cinematography. There's softness that carries throughout, with close-ups that offer adequate facial textures. The viewing experience is best when the action hits daylight, finding colors served best in brightness, with police uniforms and community decoration delivering passable hues. Skintones look natural. During evening sequences, delineation becomes a challenge, finding blacks becoming solid. Grain is on the noisy side, and banding is detected. Print displays plenty of speckling and minor scratches.

The Organization Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't disastrous, but the balance between suspenseful events and dialogue exchanges isn't steady. Dramatic moments register in the quiet side, requiring a boost in volume to follow, lacking a level of sonic response that sells the intended intensity. Action beats play harder, with shrill highs and loud extremes. Intelligibility isn't a problem, but consistency isn't here. Scoring is more of a blunt instrument, missing crisp instrumentation.

The Organization Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:54, HD) is included.

The Organization Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Poitier is great as Tibbs, with pronounced irritation and suspicion. He's even better in dad mode, finding Tibbs trying to decode his maturing children while protecting his family from harm. Sadly, there's nothing remarkable about "The Organization," which plays in very programmed manner, seldom interested in defying formula. It's not especially dull, just ordinary, wasting the potential of a Tibbs adventure on routine confrontations and conclusions.