Higher Power Blu-ray Review

Magnolia Home Entertainment's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray of "Higher Power" delivers a faithful rendition of director Matthew Santoro's highly stylized visual design, though traditional criteria such as detail, sharpness, and clarity are difficult to apply. The film's reliance on heavy post-production manipulation, including grainy video feeds and distorted live-action shots, results in a visual experience that is both fragmented and inconsistent. Most scenes are intrusively altered with CGI effects and color skewing, leading to an intentionally rough, found-footage quality that shifts unpredictably.

The transfer exhibits variable detail clarity in facial features, scenery, and clothing. While Joe Steadman's happier flashbacks offer slightly better color accuracy and detail, even these moments are not immune to the persistent visual distortions. Colors lack consistency, transitioning from ghostly whites in family memories to vivid blues during transformation scenes. Black levels are generally deep but often fluctuate toward grey depending on the applied post-production effects.

With an average bitrate of 21.99 Mbps on a BD-25 disc, the encode potentially suffers from compression artifacts. However, the deliberate visual distortions make it challenging to identify such issues definitively. Overall, "Higher Power" presents a complex, heavily manipulated visual experience that defies traditional Blu-ray evaluation metrics.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Higher Power" showcases a Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 default) mix that aims to deliver an immersive experience but largely achieves its impact through sheer volume rather than sophisticated sound design. Magnolia's commitment to Dolby Atmos is evident, yet the film's audio design lacks the intricacy typically associated with this advanced format. Directional effects are present in moments such as the cycling of Unknown's voice around the room or Joe Steadman's expanding powers affecting his surroundings, however these are sporadic instances rather than consistent elements. The electronic score by Kevin Riepl contributes to an overall loud soundscape, often making it necessary to adjust listening levels downward.

Although there is a noticeable layering and separation in the mix that prevents it from becoming a homogenous noise mass, the audio design predominantly prioritizes volume over finesse. Key aspects like dialogue remain clean and clear, and character-specific audio cues, such as Colm Feore's voice-through-implant feature, are given a slight prominence. Nevertheless, genuine object-based sound placement and vertical activity are minimal, making the "Atmos" designation feel more titular than functional. While the mix does avoid descending into an unmanageable cacophony, it does not reach the benchmark of immersive audio that Dolby Atmos is capable of delivering. This mix is passable for ordinary viewing but falls short of being a showcase for high-end audio demonstration.

The Blu-ray disc of "Higher Power" contains minimal supplemental content, primarily centered on promotional material. The sole bonus feature is the film's theatrical trailer, which provides little added value for viewers seeking in-depth insights or behind-the-scenes content. Notably absent are any substantial extras such as behind-the-scenes featurettes, director commentaries, or detailed EPK (Electronic Press Kit) materials that often enrich the home-viewing experience. While it's common for releases to include a variety of trailers and teasers for other titles, this particular Blu-ray's bonus content offers nothing beyond the absolute basics.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Short preview of the movie.
• Also from Magnolia Entertainment: Trailers for Marrowbone, Don't Grow Up, promos for The Charity Network, and AXS TV.
• BD-Live: Placeholder notice for potential future updates.

Matthew Santoro’s directorial debut, 'Higher Power', is an ambitious yet uneven attempt to craft a superhero narrative on a limited budget. Santoro, who boasts a rich background in visual effects (notably the X-Men series and 'The Incredible Hulk'), leverages his technical prowess to create a visually dense film made for under $1 million. However, the film's over-reliance on CGI often detracts from the storytelling, rendering the plot convoluted and difficult to follow.

The movie centers on two main characters: a stereotypical mad scientist known as Unknown (Colm Feore) and a down-on-his-luck security officer, Joe Steadman (Ron Eldard). Feore brings intensity to his role, elevating the typical villainous archetype with his Shakespearean flair. Unknown transforms Joe into a super-being to avert an impending gamma-ray burst threatening Earth. Joe’s tragic backstory of addiction and family estrangement is intended to provide emotional depth, but these poignant moments are buried under an avalanche of visual effects and fragmented narrative elements, hindering audience engagement.

'Unknown’s' methods are depicted through heavy use of surveillance-style cinematography and post-production manipulation, creating a constant barrage of visual stimuli that often obscures rather than enhances the storyline. While there are flashes of intriguing ideas—such as the unintended consequences of scientific hubris and the ethical implications of human experimentation—the film’s execution is so muddled that these concepts struggle to resonate. The end result is a visually impressive but narratively disorienting film that showcases Santoro’s technical aptitude but falls short in delivering a coherent and compelling superhero origin story.

"Higher Power" presents an intriguing concept, aiming to deliver a compelling independent superhero narrative. Despite its ambition, the film's execution falls short, marred by a rough and disjointed opening segment that may deter viewers before the story properly unfolds. Those who persevere might find elements of interest, although considerable suspension of disbelief is required. Cast performances are commendable, with devoted effort evident in their portrayals, yet these efforts are undermined by a script that fails to cohesively stitch the story together.

The Blu-ray release by Magnolia Pictures offers a visually hyper-processed transfer that may appeal to certain aesthetic tastes but loses some authenticity in the process. The Dolby Atmos track delivers acceptable audio quality, providing an immersive experience though lacking in subtlety and depth. Technical aspects aside, the Blu-ray package does little to enhance the overall perception of the film, failing to elevate it beyond its inherent narrative weaknesses.

In summary, "Higher Power" is a film brimming with potential hampered by flawed execution. It features an earnest cast and certain moments that may intrigue dedicated genre enthusiasts, yet it ultimately struggles to cohere into a recommendable package. The Blu-ray's technical presentation, while serviceable, does not significantly augment the viewing experience. Higher Power is loud and flashy, and I like the cast, many of whom have done excellent work elsewhere and give their all for director Santoro here. But it's not a good film, and I can't recommend it.