23:59 Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "23:59" offers a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode that generally exceeds expectations, especially considering the film's modest budget. The movie is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, and the presentation is marked by excellent sharpness and clarity, particularly noteworthy for a digitally-shot film. Facial details such as pores, pocks, and scars are rendered with precision, and the textures of military uniforms stand out distinctly. However, the video quality is not without its flaws. Banding occurs frequently, particularly in the darker or nighttime settings that dominate much of the film, and there are instances of crushing that compromise the depth of blacks.

Despite these issues, the color palette remains modest but effective, with the green of the soldiers' uniforms and the deep red of blood being particularly striking. Skin tones are natural and stable throughout, contributing to a believable visual experience. Fine detail is generally acceptable, especially in facial reactions and costuming, although certain ghostly and monstrous elements reveal limitations in makeup. The movie's finale, which is dimly lit, exacerbates the banding problem, distracting from the overall experience.

Overall, while "23:59" has certain imperfections in its video presentation—such as banding, occasional crushing, and minor noise—the Blu-ray retains a remarkable level of detail and clarity for a low-budget production. The digital sharpness lends itself to vibrant textures and fine details that enhance the viewing experience, ensuring that these technical shortcomings do not significantly detract from the overall visual enjoyment.

The audio presentation of "23:59" on Blu-ray is available in two lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, one in English and the other in its original Mandarin. The audio mix is decidedly front-heavy, with dialogue sharply crisply delivered primarily through the front channels. This clear, firm delivery is essential given the occasional use of broken English. Ambient soundscapes, such as those from jungle expeditions and ghostly activities, do utilize the surround channels, but these instances are selectively applied, leaving a noticeable scarcity in directional activity during paranormal events.

Despite the front-centric setup, the score consistently defies this mix’s limitations by effectively filling the soundstage, enriching the overall auditory experience. However, other environmental sounds often lack presence, such as rainfall in jungle scenes that is surprisingly muted despite being a visually prominent element. The low-end frequencies do not convey the heft needed for more intense scenes, leading to a somewhat subdued impact during heavy incidents of violence. Nonetheless, no distortion is noted throughout the playback, ensuring clarity and precision in audio delivery.

While the choice of DTS-HD track and the non-intrusive nature of the score benefit the film's overall sound quality, the mix could have better utilized the surround channels to heighten the horror atmosphere, ultimately relying too heavily on front channels for dialogue and sound effects.

The Blu-ray of "23:59" offers a variety of engaging and informative extras for enthusiasts of the film. The main highlight is the Making Of featurette, a 23-minute, standard-definition behind-the-scenes look at the production. Although it includes extended clips from the movie and starts with seemingly simple B-roll footage, it soon evolves into an insightful component filled with interviews and set footage. During these segments, the cast and crew discuss everything from the true-story inspiration for the film to the challenges they faced, including daily leech extractions and handling a wild boar on set. While promotional in nature, the feature maintains a positive and humorous tone, providing viewers with a genuine glimpse into the movie-making process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Of: In-depth look with interviews and set footage covering the true story, cast, stunts, and effects.
• Two Theatrical Trailers: Watch both back-to-back.
• Also from Magnolia Home Entertainment: Access various skippable trailers initially shown before the main feature.

"23:59," directed by Gilbert Chan, presents a unique though disjointed amalgamation of horror elements set against the backdrop of military barracks in 1983. The film grapples with establishing a coherent narrative, as it ambitiously attempts to blend multiple horror tropes into its concise 75-minute runtime. The central motif revolves around a ghostly woman who haunts individuals who die at the titular time, but the plot's rapid shifts between urban legends, possessions, and eerie jungle hikes dilute the cohesion and impact of each storyline. Despite the film's scattered focus, the earnest performances by a relatively fresh cast offer some relief, providing a sense of dedication and emotional clarity amidst the chaotic script.

Technical execution is notable, especially considering the modest production requirements. The film features solid production values, highlighted through its visual style and atmospheric settings which immerse viewers in the dark, foreboding environment. However, while "23:59" boasts these strong technical aspects, it ultimately suffers from an identity crisis, mimicking a litany of horror movie staples without establishing a unique voice. The barrage of cliché elements—from Ouija boards to paranormal activities—creates a familiar yet fragmented viewing experience that lacks innovation and depth.

In sum, "23:59" demonstrates commendable effort in acting and atmosphere but falters in its narrative structure and originality. The film is more an intriguing yet muddled experiment in horror than a distinguished entry in the genre.

"23:59" endeavors to immerse viewers in an atmospheric horror experience but falls short in delivering a compelling narrative. The film centers around the story of a malformed girl, her grieving mother, and a series of eerie interactions experienced by a military recruit named Jeremy. Despite these potentially intriguing elements, the antagonist remains underdeveloped, serving more as a generic nightmarish figure rather than a nuanced threat. Chan's ambition to convey profound themes of army camaraderie and ghostly folklore gets lost in a convoluted plot that lacks depth and character development. The movie attempts to explore the dynamics of barrack traditions and the eerie "telephone game" of urban legends but executes these ideas in a formulaic manner, ultimately failing to provide a fresh perspective.

From a technical standpoint, the visual quality of the Blu-ray release is commendable, with better-than-expected video output that highlights the eerie setting and atmospheric details effectively. However, this is counterbalanced by sub-par audio quality that detracts from the overall immersion. The included special feature, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, offers some insights but does little to elevate the film's value. For those who are incurably curious about the movie, it might be worth a viewing prior to purchase, especially given its low-budget origins which might appeal to indie horror enthusiasts.

In conclusion, while "23:59" portrays an earnest attempt to share genuine experiences of military life and downtime ghost stories, it falls flat due to its clichéd plot and lack of character depth. The film reveals flashes of real-life inspiration but ultimately, Chan's execution fails to engage or captivate. The end result is a generic horror flick that misses out on exploring its own intriguing concepts fully. Unless driven by curiosity for niche horror films, potential viewers might be better served by skipping this title.