Notorious Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Notorious" offers a reference quality video presentation, delivering superb visual fidelity that enhances every scene with rich, dynamic contrast and stable, deep blacks. The high quality 1080p transfer framed in a 2.40:1 window presents consistently sharp and crisp imagery. Detailed facial complexions, particularly of the largely African American cast, are highlighted with stunning precision. The color palette ranges from vividly saturated tones to more reserved ones when artistically required, allowing for a vivid yet natural depiction. Bricks, pavements, and other intricate elements of the urban 1980s Brooklyn landscape are rendered with cinematic purity, revealing textures and details that enhance the immersive experience.

Shadow detail is robust, translating into a considerable sense of depth during low-lit scenes like club interiors or nighttime exteriors. Flesh tones remain stable and natural throughout the film, augmenting the authenticity of the visuals. The grain structure is well preserved; while it becomes more apparent in certain scenes, it never reaches objectionable levels, maintaining the integrity of the original filmic quality. The dark, smoky interior sequences are particularly well handled, exhibiting fine detail without becoming murky or losing clarity. Overall, the Blu-ray presentation of "Notorious" excels with its strong clarity, three-dimensionality, and razor-sharp visuals that contribute significantly to a high-quality viewing experience.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack on the Blu-ray release of "Notorious" offers an exceptional auditory experience, delivering smooth, sibilant-free treble and tonally rich, crystalline dialogue. The front channels are seamlessly integrated with the surrounds, creating an immersive and stable soundstage. This mix ensures a two-dimensional sound field that notably comes alive during concert segments. The deep, low-frequency energy thumps along with the driving hip-hop rhythms, making the sounds of the crowd and music gyrate around the listening area, evoking a sense of being at a live event.

As expected from a film chronicling the life of one of the world's most famed Hip-Hop artists, "Notorious" delivers tremendous levels of bass. The low-end performance stands out, shaking the foundation and rolling the rib cage in intense sequences. The soundtrack adequately captures background ambiences—be it the sounds of the city streets, club atmospheres, or concert halls—creating a palpable atmosphere. Dialogue reproduction remains superb throughout, balanced against booming beats that thump out of the speakers with great authority. Overall, the audio presentation on this Blu-ray is a winning combination that highlights the film's music and bass-driven moments to stellar effect.

The Blu-ray edition of "Notorious" offers an extensive array of bonus materials, enriching the cinematic experience through both technical insights and emotional depth. Notable extras include dual commentary tracks: the first by Director George Tillman Jr., Co-Screenwriters Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker, and Editor Dirk Westervelt, which blends technical film analysis with discussions of real-life events, and the second, more personal commentary from Producer/Biggie’s Mom Voletta Wallace and Co-Managers Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts. Additionally, the Blu-ray features interactive elements like a Music Trivia track that displays facts during each song in the film and allows playlist creation for purchase. Various high-definition featurettes provide in-depth looks behind the scenes, including casting processes, actor preparation, and the making of pivotal scenes.

Extras included in this disc:

Commentary with Director George Tillman Jr. and team: Discusses technical details and real-life event accuracy.

Commentary with Producer Voletta Wallace and team: Personal insights and technical background on the film.

Life after death: The Making of Notorious - BonusView PiP feature: Behind-the-scenes insights into the film's story and characters.

Behind the scenes: The making of Notorious: Detailed look at casting and film assembly process.

I got a story to tell: The lyrics of Biggie Smalls: Examines the meaning behind Biggie's lyrics.

Notorious thugs: Casting the film: Focuses on casting additional characters.

Biggie boot camp: Prepares actors for their roles.

Anatomy of a B.I.G. performance: Studies how accuracy in Biggie’s performances was achieved.

Party & bullst:** Rare concert footage of B.I.G.

The B.I.G. three sixty: Interactive exploration of shooting locations.

Deleted and extended scenes: Additional footage from the film.

Music Trivia Feature: Interactive trivia during songs with playlist creation for iTunes.

Digital Copy Bonus Disc: Standard definition version of the film for portable media players.

"Notorious" chronicles the life of Christopher "Biggie Smalls" Wallace, capturing his journey from the streets of Brooklyn to rap superstardom. The film starts in 1983, highlighting a young Wallace (portrayed by his son, Christopher Wallace Jr.) as he faces the challenges of street life and an arrest for dealing drugs. Upon his release, his talent is recognized by producer Sean Combs, leading to Biggie's rise as a significant figure in the rap industry. The film strongly emphasizes his relationships, the East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry, and ultimately, his tragic end.

While the movie is compelling, it sometimes drifts into mediocrity after Biggie's ascension to fame, struggling to maintain the audience's attention. This pacing issue is partially alleviated by George Tillman Jr.'s direction, which allows the actors to give standout performances without much visual distraction. Angela Bassett delivers a moving portrayal of Biggie’s mother, bringing emotional depth to several key scenes. Jamal Woolard's performance as the adult Biggie is notable, capturing both the toughness and tenderness of the character, making the film accessible to both fans and those new to Biggie’s story.

Overall, "Notorious" provides a revealing look into Biggie Smalls’ life and legacy, despite its uneven narrative. It’s well-supported by strong performances, particularly from its lead actors, and offers insight into the Hip-Hop world, ensuring that audiences leave with a better understanding of Biggie’s impact on the music industry.

"Notorious" on Blu-ray brilliantly captures the essence of Biggie Smalls' life, making it a compelling watch for both fans of the artist and newcomers to his story. 20th Century Fox offers a remarkable package, ensuring the film is not only engaging but also visually and auditorily impressive. The narrative drives home key themes such as the critical importance of understanding one's differences, the pursuit of dreams, and the fragility of human existence. Equipped with explicit content and mature themes, the film targets an adult audience while also serving as a thought-provoking piece on Hip-Hop culture and the prominent East-Coast-West-Coast rivalry.

Technically, "Notorious" excels with near-reference quality video and audio, presenting an immersive viewing experience. The high-definition transfer provides a sharp, vibrant image that showcases the film's aesthetic qualities with precision. Both dialogue and music are well-balanced in the audio track, enhancing the impact of the narrative through powerful sound design. Additional features are plentiful, adding significant value for fans and enriching the understanding of Biggie's legacy and influence.

In conclusion, "Notorious" delivers a high-quality presentation on Blu-ray that is sure to satisfy both dedicated followers of the genre and those seeking to broaden their cultural and musical knowledge. With its outstanding technical attributes and robust extra content, this release by 20th Century Fox is a must-have for collectors and well worth renting for anyone intrigued by the story. This Blu-ray edition stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Biggie Smalls within the Hip-Hop world and beyond.