Odd Thomas Blu-ray Review

Using Red cameras equipped with anamorphic lenses, director of photography Mitchell Amundsen achieved a film-like texture for "Odd Thomas," which was subsequently augmented with a digital intermediate process to incorporate numerous digital effects seamlessly. RLJ/Image presents "Odd Thomas" in a 1080p AVC-encoded Blu-ray format that delivers a noiseless and detailed image. The color palette is precisely calibrated to differentiate between Odd's warm, natural world and the synthetic tones of key locations such as the mall and bowling alley in Pico Mundo. Notably, the ice cream parlor features artificial pastels to enhance the sense of its synthetic products, while the decayed interiors of Fungus Bob's house leverage strong shadow detail to highlight the uncleanliness in vivid detail. The meticulous integration of CGI showcases director Sommers' expertise and actor Anton Yelchin's skill at playing against unseen digital entities.

Although the transfer does exhibit some minor technical quirks such as negligible banding and slight shimmering in isolated shots, overall, it maintains impressive detail and clarity with an average bitrate of 24.98, aligning with the standards of major studio action films. The digital source appears mostly clean and pristine, with sharp pictures full of texture. However, certain sequences can appear overly digital and flat, with some contrast issues like overexposed blooming whites. Colors remain bold and vibrant, with particularly pleasing greens and reds, although black levels can veer toward blue in some nighttime scenes. Despite these minor flaws, the visual style remains sharp, colorful, and crisp enough to meet the expectations of fans seeking a high-quality viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "Odd Thomas" on Blu-ray is an engaging and dynamic experience, utilizing a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track that captures the supernatural thriller elements effectively. The bodachs, central to the story's eerie atmosphere, are presented with immersive surround effects, swirling through scenes with impressive directionality and imaging. The sound design envelops listeners, particularly in high-intensity sequences such as the aggressive pursuit by Fungus Bob and the intense confrontations, where gunshots, growls, and pounding reverberate with sharp impact and powerful reverberations.

Dialogue is expertly handled, with Odd's voiceover narration floating just above the center channel, maintaining clear prioritization throughout. The soundstage creates a broad sense of space, enhancing the ambiance of the sleepy town of Pico Mundo. Action sequences benefit from the energetic effects work, with dynamic range being wide and distortion-free. Crashes, thuds, punches, and explosions all come through with great detail, supported by deep bass activity that adds significant oomph to the supernatural events depicted.

John Swihart's score is aptly mixed, balancing thriller urgency with youthful romance, contributing to the overall mood without overwhelming the primary audio elements. While the audio design might not achieve the nuanced depth seen in top-tier tracks, it compensates with its lively effects and engaging presence, making "Odd Thomas" a thoroughly enjoyable and fittingly produced auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Odd Thomas" disappoints in the extras department, featuring no supplementary content. At startup, viewers are greeted with trailers for "The Numbers Station" and "The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box," both skippable via the chapter forward button and not otherwise accessible from the disc menu. As a minor consolation, the initial pressing includes a lenticular slipcover displaying alternate images of Odd, alone and encircled by bodachs. Collectors may find this packaging detail noteworthy, but overall, the disc lacks any enriching backstage insights or additional content typically expected in Blu-ray releases.

Extras included in this disc: Lenticular Slipcover: Initial pressing feature showing alternating images of Odd Thomas alone and surrounded by bodachs.

"Odd Thomas," directed by Stephen Sommers, is a fantasy film with big budget aspirations despite its independent roots. Based on Dean Koontz's novel, the story follows Odd Thomas (Anton Yelchin), a short-order cook with psychic abilities in the small town of Pico Mundo, California. Odd has the distinct ability to see the spirits of those who died violently, guiding him to their killers. He is supported by his loyal girlfriend, Stormy Llewellyn (Addison Timlin), and the local police chief, Wyatt Porter (Willem Dafoe), who trusts Odd's abilities despite preferring to remain ignorant about their specifics.

Yelchin’s performance injects sincerity and intensity into the character of Odd, anchoring the somewhat bizarre narrative. Timlin's portrayal of Stormy provides a charming contrast, grounding Odd with her humanity and unaffected acceptance of his strange talents. The chemistry between Yelchin and Timlin is marked by whimsical banter, reminiscent of classic detective duos, although at times it veers into overly cutesy territory. Dafoe’s role as the police chief adds a layer of normalcy amidst the film's supernatural elements, though his character skews heavily into being a convenient plot device.

The film's supernatural elements include demonic creatures called bodachs, whose CGI renderings might remind viewers of gravelings from "Dead Like Me." These creatures serve primarily to foreshadow impending disaster rather than drive the plot. While laden with familiar tropes and predictable twists, "Odd Thomas" strives for quirky charm and suspense but often stumbles over its ambitions. Despite stylistic flourishes such as slow-motion shots and CG effects, which tend to evoke a TV aesthetic, certain set pieces and scares provide intermittent entertainment.

Ultimately, while "Odd Thomas" suffers from uneven execution and a clunky script that hampers deeper engagement with its characters and mythology, Yelchin's heartfelt performance and Sommers' energetic direction offer occasional glimpses of the film's latent potential.

Odd Thomas is a film that showcases a blend of supernatural thrills and mystery based on Dean Koontz's bestseller. The Blu-ray release offers high-quality technical elements, with a commendable video transfer that captures the vibrant visuals and the detail-rich environments. The atmospheric audio mix effectively enhances the suspenseful tone of the movie, balancing dialogue, effects, and score with precision. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray disc is devoid of supplementary content, which might disappoint fans looking for behind-the-scenes insights or additional features.

The narrative of Odd Thomas is somewhat formulaic, populated by quirky characters that may not resonate with all viewers. However, there are glimpses of engaging thrills and spirited performances that provide intermittent entertainment value. The direction and special effects maintain a professional standard, ensuring that the supernatural elements are convincingly portrayed. The film's execution may come across as underwhelming due to its familiar plot structure, but it does have its moments of charm that could appeal to fans of the genre and Koontz’s literary works.

The conclusion of Odd Thomas leaves an obvious opening for a sequel, but it seems unlikely that one will be made, given the film's weak reception. That is all the more reason for fans of the series, or just those who are curious, to experience the film now while it is still fresh. The performances are lively, the effects are professional, and the Blu-ray's image and sound are superior. Despite the lack of extras, recommended.