The Wicker Man

"The Wicker Man's" Blu-ray presentation elicits mixed reactions, particularly when it comes to its 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer quality. The video, derived from what appears to be the same encode used for its HD DVD predecessor, delivers a performance that is both commendable and somewhat lacking. Viewers are treated to a visual experience that, while certainly surpassing standard definition offerings, does not reach the pinnacle of high-definition clarity. Although the film benefits from sharp and colorful photography—praised for its pristine source print and absence of compression artifacts—the softness of the image in places and uneven detail quality detract from what could have been a stellar visual experience. The colors, often appearing darker than natural, and the somewhat grayish black levels, though presumably fitting the film's overcast Pacific Northwest setting, can leave one wanting.

On a more positive note, the Blu-ray shines in its reproduction of stable hues and accurate flesh tones, albeit with some exceptions. Daylight exterior shots impress with their detail, capturing elements like golden halos around hair and the texture of various environmental aspects with a certain finesse. Scenes featuring brighter colors and increased sharpness towards the film's climax provide a glimpse into the transfer's potential under optimal conditions. However, inconsistencies in sharpness and thematic presentation throughout suggest a missed opportunity to fully leverage the high-definition format.

While "The Wicker Man" on Blu-ray does offer an appreciable upgrade from DVD quality, it ultimately falls short of delivering a truly remarkable HD viewing experience. The conclusion that emerges is one of slight disappointment; for a film that captivates with its atmospheric tension and unsettling themes, the Blu-ray transfer fails to consistently match this quality visually. One is left with the impression of a video presentation that, despite its merits, could have benefitted from a more meticulous and refined transfer process.

The Blu-ray release of "The Wicker Man" presents its audience with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track encoded at a competent 640kbps bitrate. However, it's regrettable to note the absence of a lossless audio option, a surprising omission that places this release a step behind its HD DVD counterpart, which boasts a Dolby TrueHD track. The audio experience provided is largely unremarkable, fitting snugly into the vast sea of Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes available. Though the track manages to deliver dialogues with good clarity and Badalamenti's score with crispness, it lacks the vibrancy and enveloping presence that could have elevated the film's atmospheric tensions.

The soundtrack, despite its limitations, has its moments. The music, especially, helmed by Angelo Badalamenti, stands out for its ability to effectively enhance the film's eerie atmosphere, utilizing the rear channels to good effect — though it ultimately falls short of realizing its full aural potential due to the lack of a TrueHD track. Specific scenes, such as the car crash and the climax, along with a heightened sense of ambience in the film's latter half, offer glimpses of immersive surround activity. Natural sounds become more pronounced as the narrative progresses, providing a tangible sense of dread that arguably contributes more to the movie's mood than many of its visuals.

However, the overall audio presentation does little to distinguish itself. While it performs adequately with what it is given, showcasing somewhat aggressive dynamics and occasional directional effects with competent fidelity and dynamic range, it fails to leave a lasting impression. The lack of a lossless track notably limits the audio's ability to fully capture the nuanced textures of the film's score and environmental sounds, making 'The Wicker Man' sound good but not great — a missed opportunity to enhance the viewing experience significantly.

The Blu-ray release of "The Wicker Man" offers a sparsely populated extras section that, while minimal, provides insight into the filmmakers' intent and production process, albeit with an ironic lack of self-awareness regarding the film's reception. Comprising only two features, a trailer and a commentary track, the latter stands out for its curious blend of detailed exposition and obliviousness. Director Neil LaBute, along with actors Leelee Sobieski and Kate Beahan, editor Joel Plotch, and costume designer Lynette Meyer, engage in a discussion that ranges from shooting locations and updates from the original film to costumes and editing choices. Despite the enthusiasm LaBute shows, the commentary often descends into self-congratulatory remarks with limited substance, inadvertently echoing those notoriously tone-deaf "American Idol" auditions. The trailer, presented in 480p widescreen, rounds out the extras without adding significant value, making the entire section an odd curiosity for fans and critics alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: The film's original theatrical trailer in widescreen 480p.
• Commentary Track: Featuring Director Neil LaBute, actors Leelee Sobieski and Kate Beahan, editor Joel Plotch, and costume designer Lynette Meyer discussing various aspects of the film's production.

The 2006 remake of "The Wicker Man," directed and penned by Neil LaBute, attempts to retell the chilling story set on the secluded island of Summerisle with a daring change to the antagonistic force, depicting a community dominated by a feminist ethos rather than the pagan cult originally portrayed. Starring Nicolas Cage as Edward Malus, the film sprawls into his quest to unravel the mystery behind his daughter's disappearance. Instead of enhancing the narrative's depth with this gendered paradigm shift, LaBute diverts into a realm where his rendition is more a critique on gender politics, sidelining the essential horror and suspense that defined the cult classic. The attempt to leverage Cage's performance to instil a blend of investigative zeal and dramatized heroism falls into a paradoxical mix of overzealous portrayal and campy dialogue, straying far from capturing the nuanced detective work seen in cinema's most celebrated mysteries.

LaBute’s effort to contemporize the film with thematic shifts and horror tropes instead crafts a scenario ripe with unintentional comedy and flat horror clichés, missing the critical engagement with belief systems and faith that gave the original its compelling edge. The inclusion of elements like Cage's character's bee allergy in an attempt at narrative irony exemplifies the film’s heavy-handed approach to suspense, leaving audiences more amused than intrigued by the plot's developments. Despite attempts at deepening the movie with complex gender dynamics, the result is a convoluted clash of ideas that undermines potential intellectual discourse, reduced to a series of laughable moments rather than maintaining its intended psychological thriller aura.

The Blu-ray presentation of this "Wicker Man" installment notably includes the Unrated version, which restores the original, more definitive ending that Warner Bros had modified for a softer theatrical release rating. However, even with this attempt at preserving the film's intended closure, the movie struggles under its ambition to reinvent without retaining the eerie charm and thematic weight of its predecessor. Instead of standing as a testament to creative reimagining in cinema, LaBute’s "The Wicker Man" becomes emblematic of remake pitfalls — an illustration of how deviation from source material combined with misplaced thematic focus can lead to a product that is memorable for reasons far removed from its original aspirations.

"The Wicker Man," reviewed for its Blu-ray presentation, emerges as a contentious figure in cinematic discussions. On one side, it is criticized for its lackluster storyline, abysmal pacing, and poor character development. The dialogue is described as universally terrible, presenting Nicolas Cage with arguably the lowest point in his career. Despite these glaring flaws, the technical delivery of the Blu-ray format does not mirror the movie's lackluster performance. The video and audio quality are deemed satisfactory, though lacking in any standout features. The package is considered passable, sparingly adorned with extras, indicating a release that Warner Brothers may not have been too enthusiastic about.

Conversely, the film gains a form of appreciation through its unintentional humor and excess, positioning itself as a cult classic of sorts for those with a taste for cinematic disasters. The Blu-ray's technical aspects are applauded for their adequacy in visuals and sound, albeit missing out on superior audio tracks such as Dolby TrueHD. Fascinatingly, it includes commentary that predates the film's universal recognition as a failure, adding a layer of unintended irony to the viewing experience. It appeals to a niche audience, including Pagans, those fascinated by cinematic failure, and Leelee Sobieski enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "The Wicker Man" on Blu-ray serves a dual purpose: it is a testament to a cinematic debacle and a collector's piece for aficionados of film oddities. While the movie itself is widely panned for its narrative and performance shortcomings, the Blu-ray presentation manages to deliver an acceptable, though unimpressive, viewing experience. This version is particularly recommended for viewers looking for a peculiar blend of poor filmmaking and satisfactory technical quality, serving more as a curiosity than a staple in one's movie collection.