Revenge

Revenge" arrives on Blu-ray with a presentation that encapsulates the essence of Tony Scott's directorial vision, albeit with a blend of technical imperfections and triumphs. The 1080p, 2.39:1-framed transfer showcases a gritty, unforgiving approach, manifest in nearly every frame. This transfer, while not the pinnacle of high-definition standards, faithfully echoes Scott's intended visual tone, despite its rough and sometimes hazy appearance. Details often appear smudgy and soft, with close-ups harboring an unnatural sharpness that detracts rather than adds to the aesthetic. Color rendition leans towards the overcooked side, with flesh tones exhibiting a noticeable red tint in many sequences. Despite these issues, the image avoids appearing flat, though it lacks a palpable sense of depth, and is occasionally marred by haloing and messy blacks.

On the more positive side, the AVC MPEG-4 codec delivers a picture quality that largely excels. Black levels are described as solid, colors vibrant, and skin tones warm and natural, presenting a fine level of detail that imparts impressive clarity and dimension to the overall image. Noteworthy are the realistic renderings of blood, gravel, and desert underbrush, accentuating the film’s sharpness and textural fidelity that maintains integrity even in rapid movement. The transfer shines for a film of its age, sidestepping the muddiness common in older catalog titles, with a contrast that, although occasionally stark and overblown in line with Scott's visual flair, contributes to a technically proficient depth-enhancement.

However, the transfer is not without its drawbacks; various types of source noise intrude upon the viewing experience. Heavy grain affects high contrast scenes, dark scenes are plagued by noise pollution, and color banding disrupts bright skies. While less frequent, some shots display a softness that contrasts with the overall sharp definition, and at times, the vibrant palette can become unintentionally murky or see warm tones overly saturated. Despite these inconsistencies, fans will find "Revenge" presented with commendable quality that aligns with contemporary expectations, albeit with room for improvement.

Sony's Blu-ray presentation of "Revenge" showcases an intriguing juxtaposition in its audio offerings, with a noteworthy uncompressed PCM 5.1 soundtrack standing in stark contrast to a notably weaker Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track. The PCM track shines with an expansive dynamic range, effectively leveraging every channel to produce a rich, full-bodied auditory experience. Bass tones are handled with an adeptness, providing a rounded boom that compliments the overall soundscape, filled with realistic ambient sounds that enhance the immersive quality of the film. Despite some inconsistencies in channel movement and occasional spikes in air noise levels, the clarity and spread of dialogue across the soundfield remain commendably crisp and well-balanced with the rest of the audio mix.

On the other hand, the Dolby Digital track suffers from significant drawbacks, including hollow-sounding dialogue and lackluster sound effects that fail to deliver the desired impact, appearing more akin to bottle rockets and cap guns than to compelling cinematic audio. In contrast, the PCM track offers a far superior listening experience, characterized by clearly defined sound effects and a well-prioritized soundfield. Nonetheless, despite its strengths, the PCM soundtrack is not without its flaws. Room acoustics and the meticulous reproduction of soundfield details underscore the effort invested into this mix, although it occasionally falters with exaggerated channel movements in busier scenes and sound effects that sometimes miss the mark in terms of realism.

Overall, "Revenge" presents a mixed bag in terms of its audio presentation on Blu-ray. While the PCM 5.1 soundtrack stands out for its depth and immersive qualities, providing a vividly detailed auditory experience that elevates the film, the Dolby Digital version falls disappointingly short. The front-heavy design and less precise clarity further highlight the mixed execution across both tracks. However, moments like the F-15 fighter jet's passage early in the film showcase what could have been a consistently electrifying sonic experience had the rest of the sound design matched that intensity.

The Blu-ray release of "Revenge" enriches the viewing experience with its extra features, notably a comprehensive commentary track by Director Tony Scott and the featurette "Obsession: The Sex and Violence of Revenge." In the commentary, Scott delves into the pre-production history of the film, its place within his career, and provides an in-depth look at the decision-making process behind the scenes, character development, and the rationale behind certain controversial aspects. His narration, though soothing, is packed with insights that demand a focused listen. The featurette complements this by offering a concise yet enlightening overview of the film's thematic elements, directly from the perspectives of Scott and the cast. It serves as an excellent primer or follow-up for viewers, clarifying the director's intent behind the film's direction. Additionally, trailers for other films are provided in high definition, rounding out the extras on this release.

Extras included in this disc:

• Director’s Commentary with Tony Scott: A thorough discussion covering a wide range of topics from production to thematic decisions.
• Obsession: The Sex and Violence of Revenge: A featurette exploring the film’s themes with inputs from the director and cast.
• Trailers: High-definition trailers for Casino Royale, Into the Blue, and Basic Instinct 2.

Tony Scott's "Revenge" emerges as a gritty concoction of eroticism and violence, a marked divergence from his more mainstream ventures like "Top Gun", yet it encapsulates the dark allure characteristic of his cinematic style. Set against the backdrop of Mexico’s sultry landscape, the film unravels the sordid affair between Michael J. Cochran (played by Kevin Costner), a retired Naval aviator, and Miryea (Madeleine Stowe), the young wife of Cochran’s wealthy friend Tibby Mendez (Anthony Quinn). As the liaison spirals into a treacherous plot of deceit and retribution, "Revenge" delves deeply into themes of unbridled passion and vengeance, entwining its characters in a web of moral ambiguity.

Despite Tony Scott's penchant for kinetic visual storytelling, "Revenge" received a lukewarm reception upon its release, critiqued for its ham-handed approach to exploring the depths of vengeance and the human condition. Critics argued that the film's attempt at delving into the complexities of desire and retribution was overshadowed by gratituous scenes aimed more at shock value than genuine narrative advancement. The performances, particularly by Quinn and Stowe, though commendable for their intensity, were mired in a plot deemed inconsistent and laden with clichés typical of the action genre's less reflective outings. Kevin Costner’s portrayal of Cochran was seen as lacking in depth, failing to engender empathy for his character's plight among viewers.

The Blu-ray release of "Revenge" presents an unrated director’s cut, which, although shorter than the theatrical version by over twenty minutes, intensifies the film’s graphic content without substantially altering its narrative arc. This version ostensibly aims to provide a more unfiltered vision of Scott’s intentions, featuring extended scenes that purportedly enrich character development. However, the alterations are unlikely to sway opinions significantly, serving more as a testament to Scott’s unrelenting commitment to a raw, visceral cinematic experience. For enthusiasts of Tony Scott’s work, "Revenge" offers a glimpse into the evolution of his stylistic approach, even if it fails to coalesce into the masterpiece some aficionados might have hoped for.

Tony Scott's "Revenge," whilst not the most iconic or career-defining film for those involved, stands as a dark and gritty outlier in his portfolio, presenting a quintessential yet disturbing thriller that skirts the boundaries of morality, offering no clear heroes or villains. Distinguished by strong performances across its cast, the film unfurls a narrative that, while familiar, is executed with a visceral intensity that makes it a noteworthy watch for enthusiasts of the genre. However, potential viewers should temper their expectations regarding the Blu-ray release. The visual presentation leaves much to be desired, likely a deliberate choice by Scott to enhance the film's raw atmosphere rather than a fault of the disc's production. The picture quality might disappoint fans yearning for crisp and flawless imagery. Furthermore, while the PCM uncompressed audio track is adequate, it doesn't necessarily elevate the viewing experience, and the supplementary content is remarkably sparse.

The Blu-ray release, however, is not without its merits. Despite criticisms of the film's narrative and thematic elements, those with a penchant for Tony Scott's particular brand of action may find value in this release. It manages to deliver respectable picture quality considering the film's age, and the PCM sound mix is notably superior to the standard Dolby track, providing an auditory experience that outshines other elements of this home release. This aspect alone might justify exploring "Revenge" for fans who prioritize audio fidelity in their Blu-ray collections.

In conclusion, "Revenge" on Blu-ray constitutes a mixed bag. While the film itself showcases Tony Scott’s preliminary exploration into darker thematic territories with commendable performances, the technical aspects of this release—ranging from mediocre visual quality to an underwhelming set of extras—make it challenging to universally recommend. Nonetheless, for aficionados of Scott’s work or connoisseurs of thrillers who value sound quality over visual finesse, this edition of "Revenge" might hold some appeal. It’s worth a rental for the curious, but only a purchase for the devoted at an opportune price.