Crooked Arrows Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Crooked Arrows" is delivered with a bright and engaging 1080p HD transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The AVC encoded image captures a very clean and sharp look, highlighting the HD-shot picture with great precision. Daytime scenes are particularly striking, showcasing vivid detail and depth, especially in outdoor settings like lacrosse fields and forest areas. These scenes reveal intricate fine details such as individual hairs, makeup imperfections, and natural skin tones, which are well preserved and appealing.

Color representation stands out with bold shades that provide a decent pop off uniforms and vibrant greens from the fields. While some softness is detected in evening scenes and flashback sequences, it remains minimal and does not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. Flashback scenes feature boosted colors intentionally to signify their narrative context, which might appear overly aggressive but are effectively purposeful. Black levels mostly stay deep and inky, maintaining good contrast, while shadow details in darker scenes remain adequate, encapsulating texture and depth.

Minor video noise occasionally surfaces, yet it is infrequent and does not mar the viewing quality. The image consistency allows for subtle facial reactions and nuanced movements to come alive on screen, ensuring viewer engagement throughout. Although a few sequences display some softness, the overall presentation maintains a cheery atmosphere appropriate for the film's tone. This combination of technical precision and vibrant visuals makes the video section of "Crooked Arrows" an exemplary Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "Crooked Arrows" brings a 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix which falls short of expectations for a film centered around the intense sport of lacrosse. While the mix ensures crystal clear and easily comprehensible dialogue with no unwelcome hisses, pops, or cracks, it fails to deliver the dynamic auditory experience one would anticipate from a sports movie. The lacrosse games lack the gut-punch impact needed, with passes, tackles, and goal sounds missing a lively circular directionality. The front-heavy audio design anchors most of the action, leaving the surrounds somewhat underutilized, only offering light ambient sounds and mild nature effects, rather than fully immersive field activity.

Despite the shortfall in intense effects, the soundtrack's music cuts and scoring provide a supportive low-end, maintaining an adequate mood setting through its pronounced dynamics. The sound mix does manage to meticulously render the atmospherics of more static scenes, particularly highlighting the intricate details during casino settings. However, the essentials of lacrosse’s high volatility are underwhelmingly composed, lacking in the gripping intensity expected. This overall light audio mix, despite its wide dynamic range during musical scores, leaves much to be desired in encapsulating the energetic spirit of the sport within this film’s auditory presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "Crooked Arrows" offer a rich, detailed examination of the film's journey from conception to execution, albeit with some uneven elements. The audio commentary by director Steve Rash and producers Mark Ellis and Neal Powless provides an insightful look into the production challenges, like converting fairgrounds into lacrosse fields, while unfortunately veering into repetitive self-praise. The supplemental featurettes deliver meaningful content, including engaging interviews with cast, crew, and professional lacrosse players. Each segment underscores the film's commitment to authenticity, with notable mentions of native influences in both sport and storytelling.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insights from the director and producers, marred by self-congratulatory remarks.
• The Story of 'Crooked Arrows': Behind-the-scenes EPK featurette.
• Keepin' It Real – 'Crooked Arrows' Lacrosse: Focus on realistic portrayals of lacrosse with professional players.
• Native American Lacrosse – A 'Crooked Arrows' Tribute: Discusses the native heritage and influence on the sport.
• The Game of Life: Heart and Spirit of the Onondaga: In-depth look at traditional lacrosse practices.
• Theatrical Trailer: Promotional trailer for the film.

"Crooked Arrows" serves as an affectionate tribute to the sport of lacrosse and its deep-rooted Native American heritage. Directed by Steve Rash, the film delves into the cultural significance of lacrosse, yet struggles under the weight of cliched storytelling. The narrative follows Joe Logan (Brandon Routh), a casino lackey who reluctantly takes on the role of coaching a ragtag high school lacrosse team from his reservation, grappling with his own past and cultural identity. While the movie draws inspiration from classics in the underdog sports genre, its execution often feels predictable, using familiar tropes to advance the story at the cost of genuine originality.

Despite its formulaic script, "Crooked Arrows" punches above its weight in terms of cultural depth and heart. The film intertwines the physical and spiritual aspects of lacrosse, framed within a community struggling against encroaching casino developments. Through Joe’s journey and personal growth, the high school team reconnects with their cultural roots, discovering not just the technicalities of lacrosse but also their ancestral spirit. The film touches on significant themes such as heritage preservation and community pride, which elevate it above standard sports fare. However, these moments are sometimes marred by overused motivational clichés and subpar acting from some cast members.

For viewers looking for an engaging yet predictable sports movie with a unique cultural twist, "Crooked Arrows" provides a heartfelt experience. Its commitment to showcasing lacrosse in both its physically demanding and culturally rich dimensions makes it an inspiring watch, despite its narrative shortcomings. The soundtrack choices might detract from the immersion for some, yet the film successfully captures the essence of a community rallying together through sport to reclaim their dignity and heritage.

"Crooked Arrows," while leaning heavily on sports film clichés, offers a refreshing and spirited look at the game of lacrosse. The film captures the intensity and dedication of the players, highlighted by impressive game sequences that pay homage to the sport's rough and engaging nature. However, the experience is somewhat marred by predictable screenwriting and direction. These elements tend to overshadow the film's potential to deliver a genuinely inspiring narrative through its depiction of native concerns and cultural pride.

The Blu-ray release delivers solid video quality, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the on-field action and atmosphere that "Crooked Arrows" creates. Unfortunately, the audio falls short of expectations, lacking the depth and clarity necessary to complement the visual experience fully. Nonetheless, fans of sports films will find value in the bonus features included in this release, providing additional context and content that enriches the film's overall presentation.

In conclusion, "Crooked Arrows" is a commendable entry into the sports film genre, particularly for lacrosse enthusiasts. Despite its shortcomings in writing and audio quality, the engaging gameplay and authentic atmosphere offer enough to make it a worthwhile viewing experience. This Blu-ray release serves as a testament to the growing popularity of lacrosse and provides a decent package for fans of the sport.