Nikita Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "La Femme Nikita" in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 utilizing the MPEG-4 AVC codec and a 1080p transfer showcases a substantial improvement over previous releases, with its video quality offering a pristine and vividly detailed viewing experience. The film's wide array of colors, from the cool blue tones of the early scenes to the vibrant pallet towards its climax, are beautifully rendered, maintaining the stylistic intentions of director Luc Besson and cinematographer Thierry Arbogast. Detail is noteworthy, especially in close-ups and textures within the frame, whether it be the nuanced environments like Nikita's cell, adorned with her art, or the strikingly sharp exterior shots, such as the Venice canals that boast remarkable color saturation and crispness.

While the transfer excels in many areas, it is not without its minor flaws. Blacks are deep but at times swallow detail in shadow-ridden scenes, a choice that seems to straddle the line between stylistic intent and slight overreach. Some scenes exhibit a softness and there's a presence of mild grain and noise, which, although generally non-intrusive, becomes more apparent in darker sequences. There are instances of minor edge enhancement and artificial sharpening which, while not severely detrimental, are noticeable upon close inspection. Despite these issues, the overall clarity, contrast, and color representation mark a significant upgrade from earlier DVD versions, showcasing a level of detail and visual fidelity that fans will greatly appreciate.

Overall, Sony Pictures’ release of "La Femme Nikita" on Blu-ray presents the film in the best possible light without undertaking a massive restoration. The natural look of the film grain and the careful handling of the source material’s colors and details make this a commendable release. The minor issues with blacks and occasional softness do little to detract from what is a visually impressive High Definition upgrade, ensuring that both new audiences and longtime fans of Besson's work will find much to admire in this presentation.

The audio presentation of "Nikita" on Blu-ray predominantly features a robust French LPCM stereo track, respecting the film's original auditory intentions. Enhanced by its authentic presentation, the soundtrack captivates with clear, immersive soundscapes that remain true to the visual proceedings. The stereo mix, despite its front-heavy nature, delivers crisp dialogues and meticulous sound effects with exceptional clarity. The essence of the action, primarily conveyed through the frontal channels, maintains an engaging atmosphere without overwhelming the audience, ensuring an experience that is both intense and coherent. The calibration between the dialogue clarity and the ambient sounds or music within the scenes is seamless, providing a balance that enriches the viewing experience.

Additionally, the Blu-ray offers a French Dolby TrueHD 5.1 option, which, alongside its English counterpart, presents an expanded aural experience with notable depth and dimension. Though the surround channels are less pronounced, emphasizing the front soundstage, this configuration allows for precise sound effects and well-integrated musical scores by Eric Serra, characterized by pleasing fidelity and supportive bass tones. Gunfire and action sequences benefit from this setup, exhibiting crispness and dynamism without artificial enhancement. The subtleties of dialogue retain their sharpness across both language tracks, with a slight note on the English dub's lack of vivacity compared to its French original. Subtitle options facilitate accessibility for non-French speakers, though placement may challenge some setups. This careful curation of audio tracks underscores a dedication to auditory fidelity and viewer inclusivity, albeit with minor caveats concerning rear channel utilization and subtitle positioning.

The Blu-ray release of "Nikita" offers a sparse selection of extras, most notably a 20-minute making-of featurette presenting insights from cast and crew including Anne Aprillaud, Jean Reno, and Tcheky Karyo. Traditional segments like "The Sound of Nikita" and brief room-themed videos provide limited additional context. However, the overall package is underwhelming, lacking in both quantity and depth, particularly in comparison to past DVD editions which included more substantial materials such as a sound design featurette, interviews, poster gallery, and theatrical trailers. Despite the Blu-ray being BD-Live enabled, this feature does not function, leaving a void where additional exclusive content could have been accessed. The absence of new content or licensed extras from MGM's last DVD edition further diminishes the value of this release for fans and collectors alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Nikita: A standard making-of featurette including cast and crew reflections.
• Tcheky Karyo on Besson: A brief discussion on Luc Besson's directorial style.
• The Sound of Nikita: Composer Eric Serra discusses his approach to creating the film's score.
• The Bedroom: A short insight into the characterization of Nikita.
• Training Room: Tcheky Karyo provides brief comments on the production.
• Vanity Room: Repeated insights from Anne Aprillaud found in the making-of featurette.
• Trailer: A slightly improved collection of trailers over previous versions.

Luc Besson's "La Femme Nikita," also known simply as "Nikita" in its French origin, remains an iconic piece of European cinema, marrying style and substance in a way few films manage. Released in 1990 and now brought to life once more on Blu-ray, the film's combination of gritty action and deep character exploration stands testament to Besson's unique directorial vision. The story follows the transformation of Anne Parillaud's character, Nikita, from a sociopathic drug addict into a sophisticated assassin under the aegis of a secretive government agency—a journey that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant. Parillaud delivers an unforgettable performance, capturing the essence of a woman reborn through violence yet struggling with the semblance of normalcy in her newfound life.

Besson's mastery over the synergy between action and psychological drama set "Nikita" apart from typical genre fare. The film thrives on its visual style and the powerhouse performance by Parillaud, supported by a cast that adds depth and vibrancy to this dark world of espionage. Despite criticisms of Besson's later work for leaning towards style over substance, "Nikita" remains a shining example of his ability to blend both with precision. The Blu-ray presentation, without supplementary content, focuses solely on delivering the movie in high definition, affirming its status as a visually impactful work that has aged well into the contemporary era.

The release of "La Femme Nikita" on Blu-ray brings this seminal work to a new generation and reminds long-time fans of Besson's prowess in marrying stylistic flair with engaging storytelling. From its high-octane action scenes to the carefully layered development of its complex protagonist, Nikita herself, the film is a journey through transformation, redemption, and ultimately, the discovery of humanity within the heart of darkness. Although some may argue the second half doesn't quite live up to the intricate setup, Nikita's narrative arc—from cold-blooded killer to someone capable of love—retains its compelling allure, cementing "La Femme Nikita" as a cornerstone of not just French cinema, but of the action genre globally.

The Blu-ray release of Luc Besson's iconic film "La Femme Nikita" presents a transformative experience for aficionados, capturing the grit and beauty of the narrative with an unparalleled visual and auditory finesse. Anne Parillaud delivers a riveting performance as Nikita, masterfully embodying the character's evolution from a violent, unrefined youth to a poised yet vulnerable woman, underpinned by solid performances from the rest of the cast, notably Jean Reno. The technical upgrade from previous editions to the Region B Blu-ray variant significantly enhances the viewing experience, boasting a superior original soundtrack that, despite its mono-channel configuration, eclipses earlier versions in depth and clarity. This edition also outshines its predecessors with a collection of extras that add value, making it a definitive version for those equipped to play Region B.

Employing cutting-edge home theater technology to evaluate this release, such as the JVC DLA-RS1x 1080p High Definition Front Projector and various high-end audio/video setups, underscores the Blu-ray's exceptional quality. The film's audiovisual presentation benefits dramatically from advanced setups, revealing the meticulous restoration work involved. The hardware used in the review process ranges from the Oppo 970HD universal disc DVD Player to the Marantz DV7001 Universal Disc Player, alongside an array of high-quality speakers and amplifiers, ensuring that every frame and soundwave of this classic was scrutinized under the best possible conditions.

In conclusion, while it's regrettable that this Blu-ray edition of "La Femme Nikita" is somewhat lacking in the bonus features department, the film itself and its remarkable presentation make it a must-own for both new viewers and longtime fans looking to upgrade. This release is not only the best version of Besson's masterpiece to date but also a testament to how technology can breathe new life into classic cinema. Despite these limitations, its superior audio and video quality alone justify the addition of this Blu-ray to your collection, marking it as an essential acquisition for enthusiasts of high-caliber filmmaking and home theater connoisseurs alike.