The Postman Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Postman" on Blu-ray, with its 1080p/VC-1 transfer, offers a mixed bag of both improvements and persistent issues when compared to its DVD predecessor. The transfer brings with it a noticeable enhancement in detail, especially visible in facial textures, clothing stitching, and the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Colors are more vibrant than ever, with the lush greens of forests strikingly contrasting against the earthy tones of character attire. However, this improvement comes alongside a handful of problems. Edge enhancement is overused, often to the detriment of the overall image quality, casting a distracting halo around characters and objects. Skin tones, particularly problematic, display an unnatural pinkish hue across various scenes.

Moreover, the video quality suffers from inconsistencies in lighting and contrast. While black levels are decent, offering a semblance of depth in darker sequences, nighttime scenes struggle with delineation, clouding details in shadows. Grain management is another area where the Blu-ray transfer falters; although never overwhelming, it becomes distractingly noticeable in certain shots, interrupting the visual flow. Digital anomalies such as noise, specks, and occasional artifacting also mar the presentation, especially in scenes with stark skies or deep shadows. Despite these drawbacks, the upgrade from DVD is undeniable, with fine details and color rendition standing out as clear advantages.

In conclusion, while "The Postman's" Blu-ray video presentation showcases undeniable improvements over its DVD counterpart, particularly in detail and color accuracy, it is hampered by several technical issues. Edge enhancement and inconsistent skin tones undermine the visual integrity, while fluctuating grain levels and digital noise distract from what could be a consistently immersive viewing experience. Nonetheless, fans of the film will likely appreciate the upgrade, finding enough visual refinement to justify replacing their older DVDs, even if the presentation falls short of perfection in the realm of catalogue Blu-ray transfers.

The audio presentation of "The Postman" on its Blu Ray release, featuring a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track, exhibits both commendable strengths and noticeable weaknesses that ultimately render it a mixed bag. Dialogue delivery is largely clear and warm, ensuring that the spoken word is generally well-prioritized amidst the soundscape. The LFE channel adds sufficient weight to the film’s more dynamic action sequences, with explosions and the thundering hooves of cavalry charges benefiting from a resonant depth. However, the soundtrack struggles with ambient noise and soundstage immersion. Town streets bustling with activity on-screen fail to vividly come alive through the surround channels, often sounding unexpectedly sparse or muted. This inconsistency in ambient sound reproduction detracts from the film’s attempt at epic scale.

Notably, the rear speaker aggression and directional sound effects, particularly during scenes of conflict and in interior spaces, show promise with commendable aggression and convincing acoustics. Yet, this is somewhat marred by imprecisions and the occasional burying of key sound effects or lines within the mix. Environmental expanses and crowd noises, crucial for conveying the scope of the narrative's backdrop, often fall short of authenticity, failing to engage the listener fully in the film's setting. Nonetheless, James Newton Howard’s score emerges as a resilient element within this audio mix, delivered with a robustness through both front and surround channels that somewhat mitigates the shortcomings found elsewhere in the audio track.

In summary, while "The Postman’s" Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track showcases a number of technical achievements in terms of dialogue clarity, LFE impact, and musical score presentation, it ultimately suffers from inconsistencies in ambient sound reproduction and environmental immersion. These shortcomings highlight a juxtaposition between what is visually depicted on screen and what is audibly experienced, leaving a noticeable gap in the audio-visual synergy that could have elevated the epic narrative being told.

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Postman" notably underserves fans with its extremely limited range of special features, reflecting perhaps a lack of enthusiasm from Warner's side following the film's lukewarm reception. The extras consist merely of a low-effort theatrical trailer and an 11-minute featurette on the movie's special effects in standard definition. This featurette, entitled 'The Postman's CGI Route,' offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the dam city set and CGI work, including a particularly highlighted sequence of Kevin Costner on a zip line. Notably absent, and much to the disappointment of those few but ardent fans, is any form of directorial commentary from Kevin Costner himself, which could have offered fascinating insights or a defense against the harsh criticism the film has faced over the years.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: A promotional piece for the movie.
• The Postman's CGI Route: A look at the special effects work and storyboards used for the film, focusing on the dam city set and a zip line sequence.

Kevin Costner's "The Postman," a film that navigates the tumultuous waters of post-apocalyptic storytelling, sets a backdrop that's as ambitious as it is flawed. The movie, based on David Brin's 1985 novel, embarks on a journey with a nameless drifter who, through the charade of being a postman, brings hope to a dystopian society shattered by a nuclear war. The concept, rife with potential for profound commentary on human connection and resilience, unfortunately veers into the territory of unintentional comedy, overshadowed by its own grandiosity. Costner's attempt at recapturing the directorial success of "Dances with Wolves" sees him donning the triple crown as director, producer, and lead actor, embroiling himself in an odyssey that's both too long and riddled with clichés.

The cinematic venture suffers from an execution that struggles to balance between earnestness and absurdity. Clocking in at an egregious 178 minutes, "The Postman" falls victim to an overextension of narrative that plods through predictable plot points, leaving viewers adrift in a sea of spaghetti western pastiches. Despite its earnest attempt to craft a new mythos for a fractured America, it is laden with scenes that solicit laughter where awe or empathy was intended. Notable performances by Costner and Will Patton as General Bethlehem, along with occasional sparks of intriguing post-apocalyptic world-building, are marooned in a script that meanders, diluting the potency of their confrontations and the movie’s overarching themes.

"The Postman" teeters on the brink of being a guilty pleasure—a designation saved for films that manage to enthrall despite their flaws—yet it fumbles with its tone and pacing, rendering it a cumbersome viewing experience. It's entrapped in its ambition, unable to fully anchor itself in either the gravitas of its post-apocalyptic setting or the human spirit it aims to celebrate. While the film does conjure moments of genuine engagement and offers a visually appealing portrayal of a dystopian frontier, it ultimately serves as a cautionary tale of excess and miscalculation in filmmaking, proving that even the most promising of narratives can be lost in translation from page to screen.

The Postman," a film that has cultivated a certain level of notoriety as a guilty pleasure, presents itself in a Blu-ray edition that is a mixed bag of qualities. With its considerable runtime of 178 minutes, the movie challenges the viewer's commitment, possibly stretching the definition of 'pleasure' for an audience looking for repeat viewings. While some may argue its entertainment value, viewing it as nothing beyond a simple indulgence, the Blu-ray does offer a tangible upgrade over its DVD predecessor. Enhanced by an above-average video transfer and bolstered by a TrueHD audio track, this edition attempts to make a compelling case for itself amidst criticism.

Critics and fans alike might find themselves divided on the merits of "The Postman" as a cinematic work, but the consensus leans towards the Blu-ray edition providing the best possible viewing experience currently available. Despite the lack of engaging extras like director's commentary by Kevin Costner, which could have added considerable value, the technical improvements alone may suffice for those looking to explore or revisit this film. While the video and audio enhancements are noted, they do not completely overshadow criticisms regarding the film's length and the missed opportunities to enrich the Blu-ray offering with deeper insights into the making or thematic exploration of the film.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "The Postman" stands as the definitive version for enthusiasts and those curious alike, despite its limitations. Its appeal, encapsulated in an improved audiovisual presentation, might not completely rescue it from its reputation or justify its protracted duration. However, for those willing to immerse themselves in Costner's post-apocalyptic vision, this edition offers a somewhat improved gateway. Ultimately, whether it is worth a buy or merely a rent will depend on one's personal penchant for indulging in what is widely recognized as a cinematic curiosity.