The Power of Few Blu-ray Review

"The Power of Few" arrives on Blu-ray from Vivendi Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio, providing a proficient visual presentation that plays to the strengths and stylistic choices of the film. Shot using Red One cameras, the film demonstrates exceptional fine detail, particularly in the frequent extreme close-ups employed by director Leone Marucci. The visual detail is razor sharp, affording a crystalline appearance that reveals the intricacies of characters and background elements alike. The usage of helmet cams for motorcycle sequences and dynamic techniques like sped-up foot chases add a kinetic energy to the visual narrative.

The film's color palette adheres to an intentionally desaturated style, which, coupled with occasionally blown-out contrast, generates a somewhat flat appearance in some scenes. This aesthetic choice aligns with the movie's tone but may not appeal to all viewers, as it eschews vibrancy for a more drab and grounded look. Nevertheless, black levels are consistent and deep, maintaining visual integrity in darker scenes. Despite some negligible shimmering, the digital source remains free from any significant artifacts or technical flaws, ensuring a clean and immersive viewing experience.

Overall, "The Power of Few" provides a mixed but technically sound visual experience. While the desaturated color scheme and high contrast may result in a harsh visual aesthetic, these elements remain true to the director's vision and are executed without compromise. The transfer showcases excellent fine detail and clarity, respecting both the film's stylistic choices and technical execution.

The audio presentation of "The Power of Few" on Blu-ray features an effective DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that offers consistent, albeit occasionally subtle, immersion and surround activity. The sound design shines during the intense motorcycle and foot chases, where discrete channelization vividly creates a panicked atmosphere. Even quieter scenes, such as a crucial moment in a drugstore, demonstrate excellent use of ambient noises and aural space distinction. The track exhibits excellent fidelity, with some impactful LFE present at key moments throughout the film.

However, there are some areas where the mix could be improved. While dialogue is generally clear and full-bodied, it is sometimes mixed too low, resulting in occasional balance issues where speech can be overshadowed by more aggressive elements. The soundstage effectively spreads voices, objects, and vehicles directionally around the room during dynamic scenes, but many sequences have a more front-loaded atmosphere. Ambient sounds, like birds chirping or engines revving, do offer a degree of immersion, though it is somewhat restrained. Notably, moments such as a tense sequence featuring a crying baby effectively utilize the surround channels for enhanced engagement. Musical elements are well-reproduced with nice fidelity and separation, and the bass provides a solid foundation to action scenes, albeit not as robust as might be expected.

In summary, while the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track achieves a reasonable level of immersion with excellent fidelity and some standout moments of enveloping sound design, there are occasional balance issues with dialogue and a somewhat inconsistent sense of space that may prevent total auditory immersion.

The Blu-ray of "The Power of Few" comes with a modest selection of extras, all presented in HD (1080i or 1080p) and DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound. The special features provide a variety of insights into the film's production, cast interpretations, and local community involvement. "The Making of The Power of Few" delivers a concise overview of choice and philosophy through star interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The "Cast Interviews" are broken down into segments featuring key actors delving into their characters and the storyline. "Community Outreach" consists of interviews with New Orleans locals who were extras, adding a personal touch to the extras. A short but unremarkable deleted scene adds minimal value, while the original theatrical trailer rounds out the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Power of Few: Insights from cast and crew about the film's philosophy and production.
• Cast Interviews: Christian Slater, Christopher Walken, Anthony Anderson, Juvenile share thoughts on their roles and the movie.
• Community Outreach: Interviews with local extras Clementine & Carrie and local teens, reflecting on their participation.
• Deleted Scene: A minor sequence featuring a police chase.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: The film's promotional trailer.

"The Power of Few" ambitiously experiments with non-linear, episodic storytelling and weaves together multiple perspectives reminiscent of Tarantino's style. Writer-director Leone Marucci constructs intersecting narratives during a half-hour period that pivot around diverse characters, from a homeless man named Doke (Christopher Walken), who may be hallucinating or possess mystical powers, to undercover agents navigating through a convoluted subplot involving the Shroud of Turin. Despite the film's valiant attempt to introduce dynamic and eclectic characters—such as Alexa (Q'orianka Kilcher) and Dom (Jesse Bradford)—and juggling themes of choice and consequence, it frequently buckles under the weight of its ambitious scope.

The film's initial buzz surrounding its crowdediting concept has not translated into a cohesive cinematic experience. Its various vignettes, although intermittently engaging, lack the seamless integration required to maintain narrative coherence. Technically, Marucci employs numerous gimmicks such as fast motion and quasi-newsreel styles that, rather than enhancing the narrative, contribute to its disjointedness. The tonal shifts between tragic outcomes and almost whimsical resolutions hinder the audience's emotional investment. Issues such as forced drama, particularly evident in early scenes featuring Cory (Devon Gearheart) and his familial struggles, combined with largely unremarkable acting performances—save for Christian Slater and a less-than-remarkable Walken—make sustained engagement challenging.

However, the film does culminate in an intriguing twist centering on a young girl named Few (Tione Johnson), whose presence ties together other plotlines to deliver a thoughtful message about interconnectedness and destiny. While this revelation offers a momentary emotional depth, it does little to mask the narrative inconsistencies and fragmented character arcs that precede it. Ultimately, "The Power of Few" shows glimpses of directorial promise but lands as an uneven execution of an otherwise compelling concept, leaving viewers craving a more refined approach in future projects from Marucci.

"The Power of Few" presents an intriguing but uneven exploration of multi-perspective storytelling. Director Leone Marucci demonstrates a solid understanding of film craft, effectively managing individual scenes though the overall narrative cohesion feels lacking. The film raises stimulating questions and touches on themes that suggest profound implications. However, it falls short in providing clear answers or a consistent narrative thread, which may frustrate viewers seeking a more straightforward cinematic experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Power of Few" is technically proficient, featuring impressive video and audio quality that enhances the viewing experience. While the supplementary materials are not extensive, the included interviews offer valuable insights into the film's creation process. The technical presentation on Blu-ray compensates for some of the film's disjointed storytelling by delivering top-notch picture and sound quality.

To summarize, "The Power of Few" is a film that revels in complex, intersecting storylines but ultimately struggles to bring them together cohesively. This may appeal to a niche audience drawn to ambiguity and narrative provocation. Despite these storytelling issues, the excellent video and audio quality make this Blu-ray release worth considering. Recommended with reservations for those intrigued by multi-layered tales presented through a strong technical lens.