The Bricklayer Blu-ray Review

Vertical Entertainment's 1080p transfer of The Bricklayer demonstrates a solid performance, showcasing the film's appealing Grecian locales and vibrant lighting. The video quality presents well on small to mid-sized displays, where viewers will appreciate the fine details, textures, and the overall polish characteristic of a decently-budgeted studio production. However, a closer inspection reveals several minor, yet noticeable, instances of banding, black crush, and posterization, predominantly in the darkest scenes or subtle gradient transitions. Despite these shortcomings, which are most evident to the discerning viewer, the transfer still meets the expectations for its format and offers an engaging visual experience.

The single-layered 25GB disc manages to efficiently house 110 minutes of content, yet this comes at the cost of some compromises. The noted issues of banding and black crush, while present, aren't overwhelmingly glaring and are often subdued on modest setups, ensuring that casual viewers might not even notice them without actively searching. It's worth mentioning that these issues might have been mitigated with a more robust 4K UHD release, potentially taking the video quality from merely acceptable to truly impressive. While this Blu-ray offers a satisfactory experience within the constraints of its format, enthusiasts seeking the pinnacle of visual fidelity might feel inclined to seek out higher resolution alternatives.

The audio presentation of "The Bricklayer" on Blu-ray excels in delivering a dynamic and immersive sound experience. The film leverages its sporadic but heavyweight action sequences to provide substantial sonic impact. Thunderous punches and gunshots add a deep, resonant layer of auditory power, even though these effects edge towards being somewhat overcooked. However, these amplified sound effects manage to blend seamlessly into the overall audio landscape without feeling out of place. Additionally, notable low-end moments, such as the impactful sequence near the 81-minute mark, augment the film’s sound design effectively.

Other technical aspects are equally impressive. Dialogues are crystal clear and consistently well-mixed with front channel effects and the original score composed by Walter Mair. The auditory environment created by this mix is almost consistently active, bringing a lively dimension to the film’s soundtrack. Enhancements such as a thunderous bit of low end and various stylistic touches demonstrate thoughtful sound design that plays a crucial role in elevating the viewer's experience. One minor shortcoming is the lack of Dolby Atmos support, which could have further enhanced the immersive qualities of the audio.

Included in the package are optional English (SDH) subtitles and a downmixed lossless 2.0 track, which cater to a variety of listening preferences and setups. Overall, the audio mix of "The Bricklayer" stands out for its clarity, depth, and well-balanced integration of various sound elements, providing an engaging auditory experience from start to finish.

"The Bricklayer" Blu-ray release delivers a tight yet underwhelming package by foregoing any supplemental materials. This is particularly surprising given the film's potential for in-depth exploration through bonus content. However, the absence of any extras, not even a trailer, results in a stark and bare-bones offering that does not enhance the viewing experience beyond the film itself. The standard keepcase with poster-themed cover artwork gives a professional appearance but falls short without the inclusion of enriching features that many collectors and fans might expect.

Extras included in this disc:

• None: This disc does not include any additional content or features.

Renny Harlin's "The Bricklayer," adapted from Paul Lindsay's 2010 novel, situates itself in the familiar territory of middle-aged action heroes, inviting inevitable comparisons to contemporary peers like "The Beekeeper." In this outing, Aaron Eckhart leads as Steve Vail, an ex-government operative turned bricklayer with a love for jazz. The plot ignites when Vail is drawn out of solitude by CIA director O'Malley (a notably disengaged Tim Blake Nelson) to investigate the murders of three American journalists. Their deaths suggest a plot to frame U.S. intelligence, necessitating Vail's reluctant collaboration with field agent Kate Bannon (Nina Dobrev). The narrative unravels as they pursue former asset Victor Radek (Clifton Collins Jr.), intertwining with subplots involving high-tech support from Steve's friend Patricio (Oliver Trevena) and interactions with ex-lover Tye Delson (Ilfenesh Hadera).

Though the film's storyline is a conventional thriller template, its true value lies in kinetic action and international settings. Notably, the action sequences, while formulaic, are effectively executed—a testament to Harlin's seasoned hand in the genre. Filming in Thessaloniki, Greece, adds a visually appealing layer that occasionally elevates the otherwise straightforward narrative. However, the film is marred by inconsistent performances and attention to detail lapses, such as visible typos on critical documents.

Despite its shortcomings and being overshadowed by its genre predecessors, "The Bricklayer" offers enough hard-hitting action and scenic visuals to entertain undiscriminating action aficionados. Its Blu-ray release from Vertical Entertainment boasts a robust audio-visual presentation, though it doesn't furnish significant extras to enhance the overall package. While it may not herald a return to form for Harlin or a franchise ignition for Steve Vail, it still delivers moderate thrills for fans seeking uncomplicated action fare.

"The Bricklayer" directed by Renny Harlin, is a film that struggles to meet expectations despite several redeeming qualities. Aaron Eckhart's performance stands out as a highlight, providing a solid anchor in an otherwise unstable storyline. However, even his commendable efforts can't fully salvage the film from its evident weaknesses. Harlin's track record post-2006 has been inconsistent at best, and "The Bricklayer" unfortunately finds itself on the less favorable side of that spectrum.

Vertical Entertainment’s Blu-ray release offers a technically competent package with commendable video quality and impressive audio dynamics. The visual presentation is crisp and detailed, capturing the film's frenetic pace and dark undertones effectively. Acoustically, the sound mix provides an immersive experience, enhancing the cinematic engagement. However, the absence of supplemental material is notable and disappointing, reducing the overall value of the Blu-ray edition. Special features are often essential in offering deeper insights and added engagement for viewers, and their absence here is keenly felt.

In conclusion, while "The Bricklayer" displays moments of potential and is bolstered by Eckhart's performance and solid technical presentation on Blu-ray, it falls short due to its narrative shortcomings and lack of additional content. This release might appeal to Harlin aficionados or Eckhart fans but does little to excite a broader audience. The Blu-ray is technically proficient, but it ultimately remains a curiosity rather than a must-have.