65 Blu-ray Review

Sony's Blu-Ray release of "65" delivers an impressive visual experience, encapsulating the essence of a prehistoric adventure with remarkable detail. The film is presented in a 2.39:1 AVC HD encode which ensures stunning clarity and depth, despite some light-to-moderate noise typical of its digital shooting method. The presentation excels with pristine definition of the prehistoric terrains and intricately detailed interiors of the spacecraft. Every scene allows for meticulous scrutiny of both practical and digital elements, integrated seamlessly with sharp textures and contours.

The color palette is executed with precision, effectively conveying the film's mostly cold and bleak ambiance while also bursting with occasionally vibrant tones. Particularly notable is the sandy red material used by Mills to guide Koa, offering a striking contrast against the otherwise subdued environment. Black levels remain consistently robust throughout, ensuring a high-quality visual experience and maintaining natural-looking skin tones. This adept tonal management enhances the viewer's immersion into the film’s atmospheric landscape.

Overall, "65" demonstrates dynamic clarity across both close-up shots and expansive scenes, with colors that are rich and hues that appear almost three-dimensional at times. Though occasionally minor instances of softness occur, these do not detract from the overall quality. Contrast issues are virtually nonexistent, as black levels remain stark and consistent throughout. This high-definition presentation from Sony stands out as a compelling and technically proficient offering that meets the expectations of contemporary high-definition home entertainment.

The "65" Blu-ray presents a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack with a dynamically engaging sound design, despite the absence of Dolby Atmos found on the UHD version. The mix showcases impressive clarity, with precise dialog reproduction and defined imaging and channel separation that enrich the viewing experience. The sound effects are skillfully integrated to create an immersive audio landscape, particularly during action sequences, enabling listeners to perceive directional audio tied to onscreen events. While not overly ostentatious, the track features a satisfying bass presence that enhances the film's low-frequency demands, without overpowering the overall audio balance.

Notably, the soundtrack shines during high-intensity scenes, such as the opening outer space sequence reminiscent of "Pitch Black's" iconic audio moments. These moments provide substantial subwoofer and surround activity, delivering a tactile and engaging auditory experience. However, some might find the surround sound integration less immersive than anticipated for a film of this genre. Nonetheless, the audio presentation remains clean and crisp throughout, with aptly positioned music and dialogue maintaining a clear front-end focus.

Overall, the 5.1 channel mix offers a respectable audio experience for Blu-ray listeners, though those seeking a more comprehensive auditory engagement might consider the Dolby Atmos mix available on the 4K UHD edition. While the surround utilization could be more robust, the Blu-ray efficiently meets expectations for clarity and excitement, rewarding viewers with a faithful representation of the film's sonic elements.

The Blu-ray extras for the film "65" offer a mix of deleted scenes and features that delve into the film's production design and storytelling aspects, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The deleted scenes section, with its five entries, provides additional content that could have seamlessly blended into the movie's narrative. "Set in Stone" offers insight into the filmmakers' journey and passion, though it largely praises their more known work rather than the current film. "Future of Yesterday: Creating the World of 65" presents a well-rounded look at the design choices that shaped the film’s universe, combining practical and CGI elements effectively. "Primordial Planet" gives a quick glance at Earth from millions of years ago with a documentary flair. "Final Showdown: Concepts to Screen" is a detailed, side-by-side look at storyboards transitioning to the final scenes but may benefit most from brief viewing.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes: Additional scenes that expand the storyline.
• Set in Stone: Filmmakers discuss project ambitions and techniques.
• Creating the World of 65: Examines props, sets, and sound design.
• Primordial Planet: Documentary-style insight into ancient Earth.
• Final Showdown: Concepts to Screen: Storyboard-to-screen comparison.

"65" is a cinematic escape that sets nostalgia aside, favoring a streamlined take on a prehistoric narrative. Centered around Mills (Adam Driver), who finds himself 65 million years in the past following a spaceship crash, the film juxtaposes human survival with the primal forces of an untamed Earth. While dinosaurs roam this ancient landscape, it’s not their grandeur that takes center stage, but the intimate, character-driven plot. Mills and the only other survivor, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), must navigate both alien and terrestrial challenges in their quest for survival. The movie avoids overload, delivering a sparse yet engaging survival story augmented by tight pacing that dispenses with any unnecessary extravagance.

Technically, "65" doesn't seek to revolutionize the world of prehistoric fiction but instead finds strength in genre conventions. The familiar setup of humans against dinosaurs serves as a backdrop for character exploration rather than a visual spectacle. The film is keenly aware of its scope, keeping to a concise runtime of just under 90 minutes, which works in its favor by maintaining narrative momentum. While comparisons to iconic films like Jurassic Park are inevitable, "65" focuses more on character over spectacle, setting its ambition in delivering lean entertainment without the pressure of groundbreaking impact.

The film’s approach presents a double-edged sword: while predictable in its progression, it conveys a sincere effort to craft an immersive experience. Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for their work on "A Quiet Place," manage some captivating sequences but ultimately lean into tried-and-true tropes. Despite certain cinematic shortcomings, including missed opportunities for inventive storytelling, "65" remains an enjoyable, if conventional, addition to the genre, marked by competent performances from Driver and Greenblatt. The absence of extended setup and immediate immersion into the central plot underscore its identity as brisk popcorn fare rather than deep cinematic exploration.

"65" on Blu-ray offers an engaging yet ultimately familiar journey that showcases commendable focus and momentum, bolstered by strong performances, particularly from Adam Driver and Arianna Greenblatt. The narrative doesn't demand too much cerebral investment, mainly due to its reliance on a tried-and-true formula reminiscent of dinosaur-centric thrillers like "Jurassic Park." The plot indulges in predictable patterns, but its brevity at under 90 minutes helps maintain viewer interest without overstaying its welcome.

The Blu-ray presentation shines with visually stunning quality, delivering excellent video reproduction that highlights the film's dynamic cinematography. However, the audio mix doesn't fully capitalize on the medium's capabilities, leaving some room for improvement. On the supplementary front, the selection of extras, while somewhat generic, provides additional context and is a welcomed inclusion for those wishing to delve deeper into the film's production.

In conclusion, "65" excels in delivering a visually compelling experience with a solid runtime that ensures its repetitiveness doesn't become a burden. While the audio could disappoint audiophiles seeking an immersive soundscape, the video quality and performance strength make it a worthwhile inclusion in any film collector's library. The film's lack of originality is apparent, but its execution ensures it's a gratifying watch, especially for fans of the genre. Recommended as a visual treat rather than a groundbreaking narrative.