The Tourist Blu-ray Review

The Tourist's Blu-ray presentation is nothing short of exceptional, offering a stunning 1080p High Definition rendition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.40:1. True to Sony’s standards, the transfer maintains impeccable clarity and sharpness. An enhanced filmic quality is achieved through a subtle layer of natural film grain, rendering intricate details beautifully, from ornate building facades to ordinary street-level pavement. The color palette features warm tints that accentuate reds, oranges, and yellows, enhancing skin tones and overall visual depth. Rich browns and vibrant reds contrast with bright blues, delivering an authentic Parisian to Venetian transition.

The intricate detailing extends to every frame, capturing the textures in clothing and facial features superbly. The high contrast ratio ensures bright whites and inky blacks, providing solid shadow delineation even in nighttime shots. The image boasts minimal defects, with no signs of banding, blockiness, or edge enhancement, save for a few inherently soft shots. Sony's meticulous cleaning process ensures an immaculately clean print throughout. This Blu-ray transfer is top-tier, consistent with Sony's high-quality output and easily showcases demo-quality visuals.

The encode's strong depth of field and vividly saturated colors like Angelina Jolie's red lipstick add a layer of visual excitement. Despite some minor dips in black levels in a few scenes, the general opulence in shadow rendering is commendable. The detailed lines in Venice's architecture are crisply defined, revealing every nuance. Though the movie may not thrill in content, its Blu-ray video presentation offers a rich, immersive viewing experience with minimal flaws.

The Blu-ray release of "The Tourist" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that caters remarkably well to its dialogue-driven narrative. The all-important dialogue comes across with pristine clarity, predominantly occupying the frontal array and ensuring coherence throughout the film. James Newton Howard's lightweight, breezy score harmoniously disseminates from the front and center channels, occasionally engaging the rear channels to create a whimsical, immersive environment. Sound effects, though limited, are effectively presented, enhancing scenes with ambient and atmospheric nuances. However, the track's LFE (low-frequency effects) output is somewhat restrained, offering just enough bass to underscore the film's occasional action sequences but lacking the punch needed for a more fuller auditory experience.

The surround channels, while not consistently active, do contribute discrete effects that enhance specific moments, such as the sporadic gunfire or an explosion that adds intensity to the on-screen action. Moreover, background ambience, such as radio chatter from a spy van or city-specific sounds, is subtly integrated to maintain the film’s mood without overwhelming the primary audio elements. This reserved yet effective sound design preserves the film's intended airy feel, ensuring that no single element overshadows the others.

Despite its subdued nature, the lossless soundtrack's dynamics are commendable, displaying a wide range with excellent detail and clean channel separation. The front soundstage remains robust, delivering vocals with immaculate priority and balance. Though the low frequency effects might appear flat at times, the overall audio track balances clarity and ambiance to present a seamless and engaging sound experience. While it may not be groundbreaking or overly dynamic, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track complements "The Tourist" adequately, adding intrinsic value to the film’s presentation through its clear dialogue, subtle ambient elements, and resilient score delivery.

The Blu-Ray extras for "The Tourist" provide a comprehensive and engaging package that enhances the viewing experience, despite the film's mixed reception. The director's audio commentary is exceedingly engaging, showcasing his passion for filmmaking and providing deep insights into the production process. Several featurettes, such as "A Gala Affair" and "Bringing Glamour Back," offer detailed behind-the-scenes looks at specific aspects of the movie, from costume design to the challenges of filming in Venice. Additional content includes an alternate animated title sequence and a traditional outtake reel. Collectively, these components demonstrate a commendable effort to add value through bonus material, making it a worthwhile addition for fans and film enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck shares insights on the film's production and style.
• A Gala Affair: Focuses on the making of the ball sequence.
• Bringing Glamour Back: Discusses the filmmakers' aspirations to recreate classic Hollywood cinema.
• Action in Venice: Behind-the-scenes look at an action sequence.
• Tourist Destination: Highlights Venice as a shooting location.
• Canal Chats: Interviews with cast and crew about shooting in Venice.
• Alternate Animated Title Sequence: A different opening sequence.
• Outtake Reel: Collection of humorous line flubs and laughter.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.
• MovieIQ
• BD-Live
• DVD Copy

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s The Tourist aspires to blend the thrills of classic espionage with charming romance, yet fails to rise above mediocrity. The narrative follows Elise Clifton-Ward (Angelina Jolie), pursued by French authorities due to her association with the elusive Alexander Pearce, who controls illegal assets. Elise’s attempt to divert attention by involving American schoolteacher Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp) leads to unintended romantic entanglements amidst a backdrop of European locales.

Despite its promising premise, The Tourist is hamstrung by a lackluster script and wooden performances. The anticipated chemistry between Jolie and Depp is absent, creating an emotional disconnect that dampens the film’s romantic aspect. Jolie relies heavily on her physical allure while Depp’s portrayal of an unwitting participant is devoid of charm or depth. Secondary actors, including Timothy Dalton and Paul Bettany, offer slightly more substance but cannot salvage the overarching dullness.

Visually, the film is upheld by the stunning cinematography of John Seale, showcasing picturesque Venetian scenes that momentarily distract from the uninspired plot. However, the beautiful photography and high production values do little to compensate for the sluggish pace and predictable storyline. Although The Tourist includes elements reminiscent of classics like North by Northwest, it never achieves their intrigue or excitement, resulting in a superficial experience devoid of urgency. The Blu-ray release provides excellent video and audio quality but ultimately cannot redeem the film's other shortcomings for discerning viewers.

"The Tourist" Blu-ray release offers a technically strong presentation, though the film itself falls short of its star-studded potential. Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and featuring A-list actors Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, the movie fails to capitalize on its talented cast. Despite an intriguing premise set against the visually appealing backdrop of Venice, the film is hampered by a lethargic pace and a lackluster storyline. The chemistry between Depp and Jolie, which should have been the core appeal, flounders, leading to a mundane viewing experience devoid of genuine excitement or tension.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray elevates the overall experience with exceptional video and audio quality. The picturesque canals of Venice are rendered with stunning clarity and vibrant colors, showcasing the meticulous detail of the high-definition transfer. The audio presentation is equally impressive, providing a dynamic soundstage that enhances the viewing experience. However, while the technical aspects shine, they cannot fully compensate for the film's narrative deficiencies. The included bonus materials are sufficient but do little to inspire added enthusiasm; they offer standard fare without much-depth.

In conclusion, "The Tourist" aims high but ultimately misses the mark due to its uninspired script and underwhelming story delivery. While Jolie and Depp bring star power, it isn't enough to salvage the film from falling into a pit of monotony. On the brighter side, Sony’s Blu-ray release succeeds in delivering top-notch visual and auditory fidelity, making it worth a rental for those interested in the technical merits or captivated by Venice's scenery. Nevertheless, viewers looking for engaging plotlines and palpable tension will likely find better options elsewhere.