Valentine Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Valentine: The Dark Avenger" presents a digitally filmed 2.35:1 AVC encoded transfer that generally satisfies visually. The HD-shot feature offers impressive sharpness and textural detail, particularly in costuming, which highlights the distinction between the protagonist's smooth gear and the villains' coarser attire. The color palette is vibrant, featuring striking purples for Valentine's costume, and the cityscape lighting is varied effectively. Natural skintones and overall healthy greenery add to the visual appeal. However, the transfer isn't without flaws; occasional banding issues are present, and some scenes suffer from reduced detail due to inconsistent camera work.

Dark levels in this presentation are typically robust, but certain scenes show a rather flat appearance, hinting at the digital origins of the film. The bright, glossy outdoor shots stand out against the more muted, grim backdrops of Batavia City, creating a dynamic visual experience despite its low budget. While this Blu-ray transfer might not rival high-end blockbuster releases, it manages to deliver a solid visual performance that complements the film's energetic and chaotic style.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix on the Blu-ray of "Valentine" defaults to an English dub, but it's highly recommended to experience the original combination of English and Indonesian. This original mix enhances the natural dialogue recordings, significantly augmenting the intended performance and emotional tones of the film. While the scoring is not particularly groundbreaking, it is well-defined and provides a consistent synth presence that sets distinct moods throughout the film.

The surround sound capability delivers moderate spatial movement during action sequences with adequate separation between channels. Sound effects are particularly robust, effectively capturing the intensity of gunplay and physical confrontations. Although the low-end frequencies are not overwhelmingly powerful, there are occasional instances of explosive rumbling that add to the auditory experience.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "Valentine: The Dark Avenger" present a modest but insightful look behind the scenes of this uniquely chaotic superhero film. The inclusion of an image gallery and trailers provides context into the production process and helps to showcase the effort behind the film. Despite the movie's lackluster reception, these features offer a valuable glimpse into how the creators aimed to bring this Indonesian graphic novel to life. Notably absent are more comprehensive making-of documentaries or cast and crew interviews, which could have enriched the viewer's understanding of the project's challenges and ambitions. Nevertheless, what's offered demonstrates Shout Factory's commitment to providing an engaging package for fans of niche superhero content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailers: Promotional clips showcasing scenes and highlights.
• Image Galleries: Collection of film stills and behind-the-scenes photos, revealing extensive greenscreen usage.

"Valentine: The Dark Avenger" attempts to carve out a niche in the densely populated superhero genre, delivering an Indonesian take on the vigilante narrative. The film centers around Sri, a cafe waitress played by Estelle Linden, who evolves into the crime-fighting superhero Valentine. The setup is intriguing but stumbles in execution. The plot—woven around Sri's transformation under the guidance of screenwriter Bono, portrayed by Matthew Settle—is a hodgepodge of cliches and predictable beats. The film’s aspirations are clear, drawing comparisons to Batman’s origin story while being deeply rooted in the traditions of Indonesian martial arts, specifically Silat.

Technically, "Valentine: The Dark Avenger" manifests the characteristics of a digital production. Shot in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the Blu-ray transfer exhibits glossy outdoor scenes, vibrant colors, and an overall flatness in darker sequences. The visuals oscillate between vibrant primaries and the somber gray tones of Batavia City. However, frequent banding and inconsistent dark level details undermine the viewing experience. Despite the evident budget constraints by American standards, the film showcases earnest efforts in costume design and practical combat choreography.

Unfortunately, the action sequences fall victim to poor editing choices. The rapid cuts and excessive digital zooming obscure the skillful martial arts performances, reducing them to a visual muddle. While Estelle Linden's athleticism is evident, the erratic editing disrupts the flow and clarity of combat scenes. The narrative’s latter third attempts a tonal shift towards a serious drama — a notable improvement after a disjointed beginning. Yet, despite occasional moments of coherence and excitement, "Valentine: The Dark Avenger" largely remains an unintentional comedy marked by lackluster dialogue and amateurish cinematography, reflecting the struggle of low-budget filmmaking with grand ambitions.

"Valentine" on Blu-ray offers a unique yet peculiar viewing experience, balancing elements of crime drama and superhero theatrics. Shout Factory’s release brings considerable technical proficiency with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and impressive DTS-HD MA audio in multiple languages, reinforcing the film's visual and auditory appeal. Despite its drawbacks, such as lackluster special effects like chase scenes using visible miniature models, the movie's eccentricity propels it into the realm of guilty pleasure. The limited extras—consisting only of trailers and image galleries—might disappoint those expecting an in-depth exploration of the film's production.

The performances, particularly by Estelle Linden in the central role, deliver with commendable effort, even if the screenplay and direction fall short of creating a coherent and gripping narrative. "Valentine: The Dark Avenger" aims for epic and gritty but lands somewhere between a B-movie heroism tale and a glossy stunt reel. Its ambition feels constrained, leading to a somewhat flat execution that tends to prioritize style over substance.

In conclusion, the film’s extreme bizarreness makes it entertaining for those seeking a departure from conventional storytelling. Although it may not be a first-day buy for everyone, it’s certainly a movie worth watching for its sheer ludicrousness. Shout Factory's meticulous audio-visual work ensures that even if the film itself doesn't live up to expectations, the viewing experience is still enhanced. With its flawed charm and unusual appeal, "Valentine" earns its recommendation as a bizarrely entertaining watch.