6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Charlotte Lockton, a wealthy, upper class, English immigrant, chooses to forgo all of her home luxuries to find her kidnapped baby son. She navigates her way through the unruly and wild world of the gold rush in 1860's New Zealand, finding unlikely friendship amongst the hustlers, whores, Maori Warriors and Chinese Miners. But in the end, she must face the man who took the boy - and become the woman she never thought she'd be.
Starring: Emily Corcoran, Alice Eve, Graham McTavish, Jack Davenport, Lukas HinchDrama | 100% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.38:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
BD-Live
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
New Zealand may not be the first setting associated with the Western genre, but that's where one will find the story of The Stolen set. But even considering the movie's rugged terrain, period firearms, covered wagons, and beer-stench brothels, it's not necessarily a Western in the complete and total traditional sense of the term. The film, from Director Niall Johnson, is more a story of a prim and proper woman forced onto the unforgiving trail in a dangerous quest to recover what's rightfully hers, of a woman who must battle through difficult odds, vault over a number of obstacles, and fend off various violent and unwanted advances along the way if she's to accomplish her unenviable and seemingly impossible task. It is, in a way, a period take on Taken or any kidnap-ransom-revenge film, visually tame to be sure by that or most any other standard but capturing a spirt of motherly courage, depicting her unflinching determination to reclaim her son but not ignoring her fears and vulnerabilities, either.
The Stolen was digitally photographed, and its smooth veneer betrays the grittier story and setting. Still, definition is certainly very good. Facial definition reveals stout textural complexity, both on fair-skinned characters and more rugged, bearded individuals. Period attire is nicely defined across the board, finding and revealing frays, wear, stitch work, fabric construction, and other elements with commendable ease. Woods reveal wear and dust, natural terrains are sharp and exacting, and various props like period revolvers feature visible scuffs and signs of heavy use. Colors are bountiful and pleasant. Natural greens and red lipsticks sparkle against some of the more earthen woods, flat terrains, and dusty brown and once-white clothes that otherwise dominate the movie. Nighttime black levels are absorbingly deep and flesh tones appear healthy and full. Source or encode issues are minimal.
The Stolen rides onto Blu-ray with a well-rounded DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. On offer is, at the top of the list, enjoyably robust music. Instrumental clarity is sound, stage traversal and fluidity are effortless, surround use is prominent but not overbearing, and low end support is obvious and balanced. The kidnapping sequence and various action scenes offer the most intensive musical moments. Background ambience within the brothel does well to transport the listener to one of the film's key locations in part of its second and much of its third acts. Gunfire can be a little puny, but there's sufficient space and spread to make up for the absence of beefier thumps and zippier zooms. Dialogue is clear, center positioned, and perfectly prioritized from beginning to end.
The Stolen contains one extra. 'The Stolen:' Behind the Scenes (1080p, 23:40) offers a detailed examination of the production's history, the film's story, cast and performances, shooting locations, making various scenes, costumes, Johnson's work as director, and more. A digital copy code is included with purchase.
The Stolen doesn't accomplish much of creative interest, but the story is healthy and adequately fleshed out, aided by fair period production design and decent performances. Modest expectations are key, and even with a bit of a drag through the middle and a stretch run that doesn't find the sort of major action or intensity one might expect, The Stolen stands tall enough to satisfy as basic entertainment. Universal's Blu-ray features good 1080p video and enjoyable 5.1 lossless audio. One extra, albeit a bit longer and meatier than expected, is included. Worth a rental.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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