Waist Deep Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Waist Deep Blu-ray Movie Review

Mill Creek has released the 2006 film 'Waist Deep,' directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall, to Blu-ray. The film was previously released to Blu-ray in 2011 by Universal. For this Mill Creek release, picture quality is iffy, audio is rock-solid, and supplements are nonexistent. At time of writing, this Mill Creek-issued disc is exclusive to Mill Creek's 'Double Danger' Blu-ray double feature which also shares a disc with 'Drop Squad.'

Waist Deep Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Waist Deep is a difficult film to judge for its video quality. I did not review, nor do I have access to, the Universal disc, so I cannot make a direct comparison. However, the image is far from perfect; there are definitely some issues here, including some compression artifacts, some very obvious jagged edges (look at the 7:57 and 10:13 marks for two of the plainest, most glaring examples, in the film), and mild to moderate macroblocking. The image also features some aliasing, which Ken Brown addressed in his review as well. In fact, Ken addressed all these issues, and also commented that the problems persist even beyond the sort of establishing shots where lower quality might be found. While I cannot address specifically if this is the same master, it more than likely is. The image looks decent enough when it's on, offering quality facial features and good urban definition, resulting in some impressively tactile elements that capture intricate definition quite nicely overall. The color palette definitely runs pretty hot for effect, capturing not just the sticky and hot landscape but also the boiling intensity that defines the story. Contrast and temperatures are boosted for impact, but the palette looks fine within these parameters. Black levels are fine, white balance is OK, and skin tones look authentic. There are definitely some troubling components here, and it looks like in this case Mill Creek is not to blame. The image looks passably good at a glance, but much deeper issues persist somewhere; it's really a question of from where they originate. Here is a link to the Universal review; I believe it will satisfy as a second look at the material. Even if the Universal and Mill Creek releases are not identical, this review speaks on point about what to expect here as well.

Waist Deep Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

It is very likely that Mill Creek has delivered Waist Deep to Blu-ray with the same DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that released with the Universal disc. However, I cannot confirm that, but after reading Ken's review, his thoughts ring very true to this presentation as well. The track is lively and satisfying, with the urban score really pounding and delivering with impressive fullness and vitality. Gunshots do ring out with a healthy authority and depth, with good low-end response, stage fill, and reverberation. Environmntal fill is not perfect but it does adequately draw the listener into the world. Dialogue is clear and centered for the duration. As with the video, here is a link to the Universal review because it adequately encapsulates this experience as well.

Waist Deep Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Universal disc included no supplemental content, and this Mill Creek release is likewise absent any and all special features.

Waist Deep Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ken Brown concluded of Waist Deep: "[it] shows promise early on before quickly squandering its potential. It isn't an outright misfire -- Gibson delivers a magnetic performance and the film's early chases are intense -- but it slowly but surely comes apart at the seams." That's a good single sentence summation of the film. It's definitely serviceable as a straightforward genre film, but it lacks substance within a very rote plot. At least Gibson is rock solid in the film, and it's crafted with good cinematic flair and intensity. Mill Creek's issue features troubled 1080p video which may or may not trace back to the source to some degree. The audio track is very good, but the disc, just like the Universal release, is absent any sort of extra content. For those who just want Waist Deep, the Universal disc is, at time of writing, still available, and it's a few dollars less, too. As part of the above linked Mill Creek release, this is about par for the course in terms of quality for the price.