6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Jerry Hickfang, a lovable but disturbed factory worker who yearns for attention from a woman in accounting. When their relationship takes a sudden, murderous turn, Jerry's evil talking cat and benevolent talking dog lead him down a fantastical path where he ultimately finds salvation.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick, Jacki Weaver, Ella SmithHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Most of us have ongoing interior monologues, many of which would be at least occasionally embarrassing if they were broadcast to the public at large. All sorts of self improvement seminars, not to mention outright religions, have been built around concepts of “reprogramming” oneself so that the inescapable voice (and/or voices, if you’re really “lucky”) in one’s head actually give positive encouragement and so-called “affirmations” rather than pecking at the soul and psyche like some starved buzzard. The Voices plays on this peculiar aspect of human existence, albeit in the form of a seriously deranged young man whose supposed “interior” voices have matriculated to his exterior pets and who is in the throes of a psychotic break which begins to play out in almost Dexter-esque proportions. Rather artfully poised between pitch black comedy and gross out horror, The Voices offers a great showcase for star Ryan Reynolds, who is tasked not just with depicting the mental breakdown of a deeply troubled yet oddly sanguine guy named Jerry Hickfang, but also with voicing the various characters whom Jerry is certain are talking to him, characters which include his brogue accented cat Mr. Whiskers and dumb as a post but still lovable pooch Bosco. At times reminiscent of other twee formulations of murder and mayhem playing out in an otherwise whimsical context like Eddie, the Sleepwalking Cannibal, The Voices is never really laugh out loud hilarious, but it’s so decidedly odd that it will probably bring a bemused smile to the faces of those who can deal with the rather grotesque amounts of blood, guts and severed body parts that are neatly sliced and diced and placed in Tupperware containers as Jerry attempts to navigate the roiling voice filled waters of his devolving psyche.
The Voices is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. Judging by the Arri logo prominently featured on the supplement mentioned above as well as in the film's closing credits, one assumes Arri cameras were used to photograph the film, and The Voices features the typically sharp and well detailed, if also slightly flat looking, image that this technology affords. Udo Kramer's production design emphasizes bright pinks in many of the scenes taking place at the bathroom fixture facility, a hue which pops extremely well, especially when contrasted (as it often is) with a kind of pale gray moody background hue. (Speaking of closing credits, blue and orange are added to the mix along with pink for the song and dance finale, making for an extremely odd but rather vivid palette.) Otherwise, things are actually kind of drab from a color perspective, including Jerry's almost completely brown apartment (in an old bowling alley). There has also been some intentional color grading in several scenes, including the nighttime sequence when Jerry's "date" with Fiona goes horribly, horribly awry and, later, a chilling moment when Jerry kidnaps Dr. Warren, asking for "ten years of therapy in ten minutes" in a largely desaturated outdoor setting. Detail and fine detail are both generally excellent, especially in brighter lit scenes that feature close-ups. There are no issues with image instability and despite quite a bit of dark or dimly lit material, no problems with noise.
The Voices' lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track has moments of great immersion, including the bouncy tunes that open and close the film, as well as more troubling scenes like the rainy nighttime escapade with Jerry and Fiona that ends with a bit (okay, maybe more than just a bit) of blood being spilled, but this is a somewhat reserved mix that doesn't regularly go for the jugular (so to speak). Dialogue is very cleanly presented and is occasionally nicely directional (listen in the first scene with Jerry in his apartment when it's not quite clear who is talking to whom). Fidelity is excellent and there are no problems of any kind to address in this review.
The best thing The Voices has going for it is how spectacularly outré it all is. Does it all work? No—but the fact that it works as much as it does is testament to both Perry's writing acumen and Satrapi's directorial finesse. Reynolds is totally winning in a very difficult role, and the supporting cast is similarly excellent. This certainly is not a film that will be to everyone's taste, and potential viewers are forewarned that there are some extremely graphic and disturbing images scattered throughout. But for those wanting something a bit (okay, maybe more than just a bit) different, The Voices comes Recommended.
2018
2-Disc Special Edition
1980
2015
2018
Unrated Collector's Edition
2007
2018
Director's Cut
1963
Unrated Edition
2005
Unrated Edition
2006
2012
2013
2019
1968
The Ordeal / Slipcover in Original Pressing
2004
2012
2019
2004
2009
2021
Slipcover in Original Pressing
2019