Revolver Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Revolver" on Blu-ray is presented in a 1080p/AVC encode with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, delivering a visual experience that's both ambitious and inconsistent. The film's stylization under Guy Ritchie's direction brings with it a vivid palette of colors, ranging from overly saturated yellows and blues to warmer flesh tones, particularly notable in Ray Liotta's tanned appearance. However, this stylistic choice leads to a fluctuation in visual quality, where hues can appear strong in one scene and almost absent in the next. While the source material is clean, free of blemishes, and maintains a consistent grain throughout, the image clarity is a hit or miss—sharp and detailed in the foreground yet often soft and out of focus in the background.

Detail level varies considerably across scenes. In moments like the chess game between Statham's and Benjamin's characters or when inside Liotta's mansion, adorned with intricate frescos, the detail is impressive with deep blacks and excellent contrast enhancing the textured imagery. On the contrary, other segments suffer from weak black levels and inadequate contrast, resulting in flat, muddied visuals that lack vitality, especially in nighttime scenes or particular close-ups. This inconsistency can detract from the overall engagement with the film's visually ambitious narrative.

Despite these issues, the Blu-ray does exhibit strengths, including a "Quilted Northern"-soft quality to its cinematography that aligns with Ritchie's aesthetic preferences. The color saturation levels and stylistic choices will certainly appeal to some viewers, offering an experience that's unique to Ritchie's cinematic vision. However, the fluctuating video quality, from strikingly vibrant to disappointingly dull, suggests a missed opportunity to showcase "Revolver" at its visual best on the Blu-ray format.

'Revolver' boasts an impressive Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless audio track, encoded at 24/48kHz, which effortlessly matches the film's intense and varying moods. This high-definition audio presentation shines during both high-octane sequences and quieter moments, providing a nuanced soundscape that elevates the overall viewing experience. The mix makes excellent use of the surround channels, particularly notable in scenes set in bustling environments like pool halls and casinos. Here, the immersive sound of pool balls, casino chips, and ambient chatter is strategically positioned around the listener, creating a convincingly lively atmosphere. The LFE channel adds substantial weight during action-packed moments with its robust handling of gunshots and physical impacts, reinforcing the film's dynamic range and intensifying its more aggressive scenes.

Dialogue clarity is generally solid, ensuring that exchanges between characters are easily discernible. However, there is a slight inconsistency with Jason Statham's narration due to a combination of close mike cancellation and boundary reinforcement, which occasionally makes his voice sound unnaturally hollow and overly bass-heavy through the center channel. Despite these minor flaws, the audio track excels at delivering clear, atmospheric noise in diverse settings such as casinos and restaurants, effectively pulling viewers into 'Revolver's world.

Overall, the Dolby TrueHD audio track delivers a compelling and immersive listening experience that is both aggressive when necessary and delicately subdued when appropriate. The attention to ambient sounds and detailed sound placement within the mix not only supports the visual elements but also enhances the narrative's emotional impact. Although there are slight drawbacks in vocal narration, these do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the audio presentation, making 'Revolver's sound design a high point of its technical achievement.

The extras on the "Revolver" Blu-ray encapsulate a wealth of behind-the-scenes material, despite all being presented in standard definition, with the exception of the trailers. The audio commentary by Guy Ritchie and James Herbert offers an in-depth, albeit at times overly analytical, dive into the film’s complex narrative and production challenges. The featurettes cover a range of topics, from the editing process and its philosophical underpinnings in "The Concept" to a broad overview of the film's making in "The Game: The Making of Revolver", showcasing Ritchie's directorial decisions and the thought process behind the intense psychological aspects and violence of the film. "Revolver - Making the Music" explores the minimalist score, emphasizing its occasional missteps and successes. Additionally, the deleted scenes offer fascinating insights into what was left on the cutting room floor, including an alternate ending with references to philosophical and literary figures. Outtakes provide a lighter moment, and the music trailer alongside high-definition theatrical trailers rounds off the extras package, delivering an insightful exploration into both the creative process and the minds behind "Revolver".

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Guy Ritchie and James Herbert discuss the film's production.
• Featurette - The Concept: Insight into the editing and creative process from Ritchie and Herbert.
• Featurette - The Game: The Making of Revolver: A comprehensive look at the making of the film.
• Revolver - Making the Music: Exploration of the score with contributions from Ritchie.
• Deleted Scenes: Seven scenes explained by Ritchie, offering deeper narrative insights.
• Outtakes: A gag reel showcasing cast interactions.
• Music Trailer: A unique trailer emphasizing the film’s music.
• Theatrical Trailers: High-definition trailers for promotional use.

Revolver," Guy Ritchie's sixth film, ventures into an ambitiously complex narrative far removed from the straightforward, seedy underworld crime tales fans have come to expect from him. The story unfolds around expert con man Jake Green, played by Jason Statham, who, after spending seven years in solitary confinement, seeks revenge against casino owner Dorothy Macha (Ray Liotta). Green, leveraging a formula developed in prison to exploit human greed, finds himself embroiled in a deadly game. As the plot thickens, Ritchie's penchant for stylistic flourishes and visual storytelling takes precedence, perhaps at the expense of narrative clarity. While Ritchie aims to explore deeper philosophical themes of ego, greed, and self-destruction through a convoluted plot rich in symbolism, the film struggles to maintain the fine balance between being intellectually stimulating and entertaining.

Critics of "Revolver" argue that its departures from Ritchie's established formula result in a movie that is both hard to follow and emotionally shallow. The film's heavy reliance on style over substance, combined with a lack of clear dialogue and character development, leaves much to be desired. Additionally, performances by key actors like Liotta and Statham have been described as lacking the depth required to carry the film's ambitious themes. Despite these criticisms, there is acknowledgment of Ritchie's daring attempt to transcend his own filmmaking paradigms. "Revolver" is seen as an intricate puzzle, with each character representing facets of inner conflict and the adversarial nature of one's psyche.

Upon closer inspection, "Revolver" could be appreciated for what it attempts to achieve—a meditation on the human condition framed within the guise of a heist film. However, Ritchie's execution falters under the weight of its own complexity. The film demands active viewer participation and multiple viewings to unravel its layers, yet fails to deliver a coherent message that resonates. In essence, "Revolver" oscillates between brilliance and bafflement, never quite achieving the synthesis of genre elements and philosophical inquiry it ambitiously sets out to accomplish. While it offers a departure from Ritchie's typical narrative style, it remains polarizing— a testament to the director's evolving artistic vision, albeit one that may not satisfy all palates.

The Blu Ray presentation of "Revolver" emerges as a polarizing topic, reflecting a cinematic piece fraught with ambition yet stumbling through its execution. The film's reliance on convoluted narrative elements and an overemphasis on philosophical underpinnings, notably influenced by Kabbalah and numerology, confounds rather than captivates. Critics argue that it fails to deliver the quintessential mobster/gangster experience, drifting instead into a territory that many have denounced as lackluster and uninspired filmmaking. This sentiment is echoed in observations of the film's pacing and narrative coherence—or the lack thereof— rendering it a challenging watch for those unprepared for its idiosyncratic approach.

On the technical front, "Revolver"'s Blu Ray incarnation garners some redemption. The Dolby True-HD audio track is spotlighted as both engaging and aggressive, presenting an auditory experience that somewhat compensates for visual inconsistencies. Meanwhile, the supplementary materials provided are deemed ample and supportive of the feature, suggesting that those with a vested interest in the technical aspects of film might find value here. Despite mixed reviews on the narrative front, there's an acknowledgment of the director’s endeavor to venture beyond his traditional storytelling paradigms, offering something distinct albeit not universally appreciated.

In conclusion, "Revolver" on Blu Ray presents a package that is as divisive as it is intriguing. While its narrative aspirations may have overshot, resulting in a film that disconnects with many viewers, its technical merits—especially the sound quality and bonus content—offer a silver lining. Prospective viewers are cautioned to adjust expectations, particularly fans of Guy Ritchie’s earlier work, and to approach this film more as an exploration of a filmmaker stretching his creative boundaries rather than seeking the thrills typical of his genre work.