The Mountain Between Us Blu-ray Review

"The Mountain Between Us" presents a unique visual experience with its 2.4K digital intermediate (DI) master, an uncommon choice that contributes to a rich and detailed 1080p Blu-ray transfer. The film, framed at 2.39:1 and shot with Arri Alexa cameras, captures both the minutiae of human expression and the vastness of the Canadian Rockies' landscapes. Highlights include the sharp whites and baby blues of the snow-covered scenes, coupled with incredible detail in textures such as the knit caps and fur parkas worn by the characters. Notably, the natural color palette is well-preserved, maintaining lifelike skin tones and vibrant primary colors without excessive grading.

Throughout the film, the transfer excels in presenting a high level of clarity, particularly in facial details and fabric textures. Contrast is well-managed, avoiding hot white blooms even in snowy scenes, and the depth of field significantly enhances the visual storytelling, particularly in wide shots that emphasize the isolation of the characters. However, a few minor shortcomings are noteworthy; night scenes occasionally exhibit noise and a hazy quality under fake orange firelight, which can obscure details and flatten the image. Additionally, some shadow definition issues arise in darker scenes, leading to slightly crushed blacks that detract from the overall visual experience.

Overall, "The Mountain Between Us" on Blu-ray offers a visually captivating experience that balances technical precision with natural beauty. While there are minor imperfections in shadow management and night scene clarity, the transfer is largely impressive, capturing both the intimacy of close-ups and the grandeur of expansive landscapes. This Blu-ray release will undoubtedly satisfy both fans of the film and those who appreciate high-quality video presentations.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix for "The Mountain Between Us" delivers an impressively immersive experience, despite the film's naturally quiet tone. The track excels in capturing nuanced sound details that amplify the outdoor adventure of Ben and Alex. The initial plane crash sequence is a standout moment that fully utilizes all eight channels, creating a powerful, claustrophobic environment filled with deep LFE and a dynamic sound stage. The roar of the engine, the crushing impact, and the subsequent silence all work together to set a compelling auditory scene. The mix remains effective as it transitions to quieter moments, ensuring that even subtle sounds like footsteps in snow and whistling wind maintain an immersive atmosphere.

Throughout the film, the surround activity remains engaging, subtly enhancing scenes without overwhelming them. The vivid sounds of nature—wind rushing past, snow crunching underfoot—emphasize the sense of isolation and peril faced by the characters. There are bursts of sonic intensity in key moments, such as Ben's dangerous descent down a mountain slope and a startling cougar attack, which punctuate the otherwise calm soundscape. Ramin Djawadi's score is seamlessly integrated, adding an emotional layer without distracting from dialogue or sound effects, which are all crisply rendered and well-balanced.

In quieter stretches, the audio mix shifts to a more front-and-center focus but still manages to maintain an enveloping quality with sporadic side and rear channel utilization. This approach underscores the film's tension without resorting to unnecessary audio embellishments. Overall, this DTS-HD MA 7.1 track provides a richly textured auditory experience that aligns perfectly with the film's visual narrative, making it a highly effective, if subtly executed, audio presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Mountain Between Us" present a strong mix of insightful and engaging content. Director Hany Abu-Assad's commentary provides valuable context about production decisions, while the featurettes, though somewhat typical in nature, offer noteworthy behind-the-scenes glimpses. "Love and Survival: Creating Chemistry" explores the dynamic between key characters, enhanced by substantive location shoot footage. "Mountain Between Them: Shooting in Isolation" showcases the logistical challenges and commitment required to film in remote locations. "The Wilds: Survival Stunts" delivers a concise overview of rigorous stunt preparations, including a detailed look at the plane crash sequence. Deleted scenes, featuring optional commentary, provide additional narrative depth that could have improved the final cut.

Extras included in this disc:

• Love and Survival: Creating Chemistry: Behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew interviews.
• Mountain Between Them: Shooting in Isolation: A look at the challenges of on-location filming.
• The Wilds: Survival Stunts: Focuses on stunt work preparations.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes with optional director commentary.
• Gallery: Photo slideshow with manual and auto advance options.
• Director's Commentary: Full audio commentary by director Hany Abu-Assad.
• Theatrical Trailer: Promotional preview of the film.

"The Mountain Between Us," directed by Hany Abu-Assad and based on Charles Martin's novel, melds a survival narrative with a romance subplot helmed by Idris Elba (Ben Bass) and Kate Winslet (Alex Martin). The plot centers on a plane crash in the Uintas, leading to an arduous struggle for survival amidst the harsh winter landscape. The film kicks off with both protagonists in dire need of urgent travel: Ben, a neurosurgeon rushing for surgery, and Alex, a journalist heading to her wedding. They chart a private flight with Walter (Beau Bridges), who tragically suffers a stroke mid-flight, prompting a crash that strands them without any pre-notified contacts or flight plans—a contrivance some viewers might find unrealistically exaggerated.

The film's opening act effectively captures the peril and intensity, particularly through a grippingly executed crash sequence that emphasizes Walt's deteriorating condition. However, as the narrative progresses, it veers towards a romantic storyline, diluting the survival tension. This romantic pivot becomes predictable and somewhat forced, overshadowing what could have been a pure survival drama. The interactions between Ben and Alex feel reduced to archetypal emotional beats rather than genuine development, stretching credulity with implausible plot turns like inexplicably untouched natural hazards and improbable decisions for supposedly intelligent characters.

Elba's and Winslet’s performances inject some much-needed credibility, keeping the audience engaged despite the narrative's uneven pacing. While the survival elements initially hold promise, they often devolve into cliché as the story unfolds. Moments intended to be tense—clashes with wild animals, dangerous falls—lack genuine stakes, with predictable resolutions undermining any real suspense. Ultimately, "The Mountain Between Us" struggles to balance its dual aspirations of profound survival epic and heartfelt romance, landing somewhere in the middle without fully satisfying either genre's tropes. Despite its stunning visuals and strong performances, it fails to rise above its script's limitations, leaving its full potential untapped.

"The Mountain Between Us" is a romantic survival drama starring Idris Elba and Kate Winslet, directed by Hany Abu-Assad. While the film may not have impressed critics during its theatrical run, it certainly has its merits, particularly for fans of the lead actors. The narrative offers an intriguing blend of adventure and romance, complete with some spectacular scenery that adds visual allure. Despite some melodramatic elements, the movie presents a solid date-night option, primarily due to the compelling performances by Elba and Winslet.

Technically, the Blu-ray release from 20th Century Fox is outstanding. The audio is presented in English DTS-HD MA 7.1 and a variety of other languages in DD 5.1, ensuring an immersive listening experience. The video quality benefits significantly from the 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio, which captures the expansive and stunning landscapes with remarkable clarity and detail. Though the movie’s plot may have its share of incredulous moments, these are offset by the high-caliber A/V presentation that enhances the overall viewing experience.

In conclusion, "The Mountain Between Us" may not be an award-winning film, but it does provide solid entertainment value. It’s worth noting that despite its initial critical reception, it performs well within the romantic adventure genre. Fans of the lead actors and those who enjoy a visually engaging narrative will find it a commendable watch. As for the Blu-ray release, while the extras are somewhat limited, the technical specifications elevate the film’s appeal. It might be best to rent before buying unless you are an avid fan.