Resurrection Blu-ray Review

The Blu Ray presentation of "Resurrection" delivers a meticulously crafted 1080p HD transfer, leveraging a 2K scan from the original 35mm interpositive. Maintaining its moody aesthetic, the visual style preserves a cooler palette comprising extensive grays, blacks, and blues. This results in a slightly murky yet intentional representation of the film's grim universe. The presentation excels in ensuring that the splashes of vibrant hues, like city signs and neon lights, seamlessly punctuate the otherwise dreary metropolitan landscape. Environments, particularly urban exteriors and interiors, exhibit impressive dimensionality, setting a stark tone complemented by natural skintones.

Detail rendering is notably high, with the texture of Lambert's rugged features vividly displayed. The gruesome aspects of the film, including detailed displays of severed limbs and entrails, are depicted with exceptional clarity and a satisfactorily rubbery appearance. In terms of color handling, black levels achieve a commendable depth, despite minor bleeding issues. While film grain remains heavy, this enhances the film's intended noir aesthetic and contributes to a film-like atmosphere. This feature maintains the authenticity and visual fidelity associated with traditional filmmaking.

Overall, the source material is in superb condition with minimal occurrences of noise and banding. Skintones appear consistently natural throughout various scenes while office interiors retain distinct decoration against a generally colder backdrop. Film grain reinforces an enduring noir ambiance, weaving a filmic texture that aligns with the narrative’s atmospheric demands. This presentation is calculated from end to end to preserve both the thematic and technical integrity of "Resurrection".

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Resurrection" is delivered via a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix and is characterized by its subtlety rather than bombast. This mix doesn't exhibit high levels of activity, particularly within the surround sound channels, which primarily handle music and atmospheric elements such as rain. While this choice results in a more front-heavy track, it ensures that dialogue exchanges remain crisp and clear, effectively handling extensive exposition and various accents without issue. The soundtrack's scoring cues are notably well-executed, with sharp instrumentation that enhances the narrative's suspense.

Although the low-end frequencies aren't frequently challenged, the presence of bass is subtly felt, particularly during scenes of violence, providing mild but effective weight to pivotal moments. However, big, resonating bass rumbles are scarce, making the overall sound experience quieter than typical thrillers within this genre. Ambient noises rarely seep through the surround speakers, contributing to the subdued nature of the mix.

Ultimately, while the audio mix may not possess the overpowering intensity seen in other serial killer narratives, it accomplishes its core objective: maintaining clarity where it matters most. The dialogue remains distinctly intelligible, allowing viewers to follow the film's intricate plot with ease. Despite its understated approach, the audio presentation supports the tense atmosphere of "Resurrection" adequately, ensuring it effectively complements the on-screen action.

The Blu-ray release of "Resurrection" offers a comprehensive insight into the making of the film, with 71 minutes of extras featuring in-depth interviews. These interviews provide a professional yet engaging exploration of the creative processes behind the movie. Director Russell Mulcahy's session, although often reserved, revisits casting decisions and his stylistic approach influenced by the art world. Jonathan Potts, through anecdotes, highlights his journey from audition to embracing his fandom while shooting. Composer Jim McGrath elaborates on crafting an intense score with a 54-piece orchestra and choir, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Finally, actor Robert Joy vividly recalls demanding scenes and expresses optimism for the film’s resurgence through its Blu-ray release.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Cathartic Experience: Interview with director Russell Mulcahy discussing casting, editing, and more.
• On The Same Page: Actor Jonathan Potts shares insights on working with the cast and crew.
• Over The Top: Composer Jim McGrath delves into the film's musical composition.
• Terrifying or Hilarious: Actor Robert Joy reflects on acting experiences during filming.

"Resurrection," directed by Russell Mulcahy and starring Christopher Lambert, ventures into the serial killer genre following the established success of thrillers like "Se7en" and "Silence of the Lambs." Set in a perpetually rain-soaked urban landscape, the film explores the pursuit of a deranged killer engaged in a gruesome reconstruction of Jesus Christ’s body, by dismembering his victims. Detective John Prudhomme (Lambert), ridden with personal loss and struggle, is tasked with unraveling this macabre web. The storyline treads predictably along a genre-compliant path with its atmospheric tension and high stakes. Despite being formulaic, Lambert delivers one of his more intense performances, encapsulating the despair and drive of his character, while Leland Orser supports effectively as his partner.

Mulcahy's direction attempts to energize the narrative with stylized visual flair reminiscent of his music video roots. However, moments of frame distortion and indiscriminate camera movements occasionally divert focus from the unfolding tension. Cinematographer Jonathan Freeman skillfully captures the noir-esque aesthetic with compelling cityscapes that enhance the dreary atmosphere essential to the film's tone. The film also benefits from an unexpected cameo by legendary director David Cronenberg, adding to its allure for genre enthusiasts. Nevertheless, "Resurrection" struggles with originality, heavily echoing its predecessors, and cultivating an all-too-familiar cinematic experience.

Despite its derivative nature, "Resurrection" stands as a watchable thriller with credible performances and committed direction. It balances between being engrossing and inadvertently humorous due to its somewhat exaggerated stylistic choices. While it originally secured an NC-17 rating for graphic content, the film now exists in an R-rated version which remains impactful yet restrained. "Resurrection" may not redefine the genre, but it clings to its ambition—much like Mulcahy and Lambert’s earlier collaborations—delivering a serviceable, if not memorable, thriller that will appeal to fans of refined neo-noir crime stories.

"Resurrection" receives mixed reviews as a Blu-Ray offering, largely leaning on its visual and auditory fidelity. Director Russell Mulcahy presents a film that intermittently allows the inherent grimness of the storyline to shine, notably elevating scenes of codebreaking and intense police work. Despite this, the film lacks consistent momentum, resorting to a derivative plot closely mirroring themes from "Se7en," albeit with different motivations for the serial killings. The attempt at atmosphere occasionally falters due to ineffective camera work, diluting what could be a profoundly unsettling experience.

The technical quality of the Blu-Ray is commendable. Vinegar Syndrome has provided an excellent audio-visual presentation that enhances the movie-watching experience, ensuring viewers can appreciate even the subtler elements of the film’s production. Moreover, the inclusion of interviews offers valuable insights, catering to audiences intrigued by behind-the-scenes narratives. While the film itself does not significantly deviate from predictable tropes or offer innovative storytelling, these extras add notable value to the package.

In conclusion, "Resurrection," while falling short in creativity and tension-building, compensates through an adept home media release, making it worthy of consideration for collectors and aficionados of crime thrillers. The Blu-Ray's superior presentation quality enriches the overall experience, even if the film does not entirely rise above its genre trappings. Thus, it is recommended for those seeking comprehensive immersion into its particular world of police procedures and enigmatic crime solving.