Rising Sun Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Rising Sun" on Blu-ray provides an inconsistent yet somewhat competent 1080p transfer framed at 1.85:1. The opening scenes and numerous darker sequences exhibit a sloppy and poorly resolved nature, characterized by soft, fuzzy images with sporadic dirt and debris, which detracts from the viewing experience. Despite the inherent challenges of the film's dark tone, fine detail is moderately impressive under low lighting, with fabric lines and wall textures rendered fairly well while facial details remain somewhat smooth. This issue is less prominent under brighter conditions later in the film, where the transfer appears crisper and more intricately detailed. However, additional problems persist including light banding, messy blacks, and flesh tones that often skew towards red.

Although "Rising Sun" is not a top-tier demo disc, its aged appearance is palpable but still manages to sustain a degree of visual appeal. The source material remains in solid shape, free from significant print dropouts or serious blemishes. The consistent vintage grain is appropriate and not overly intrusive. Color presentation is perhaps the weakest aspect, lacking the vibrancy seen in modern masters or superior restorations. Primary hues don't pop, and fleshtones, while sometimes taking on a pinkish tinge, ultimately detract from the overall color fidelity. Nevertheless, the sense of depth in the image is surprisingly strong, occasionally revealing dated special effects tricks through three-dimensional clarity. Sharpness remains relatively consistent, delivering a fairly detailed presentation notwithstanding its flaws.

Overall, while "Rising Sun" on Blu-ray does not shine as a reference-quality transfer, it maintains a certain level of competence. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video presentation exhibits both strengths and weaknesses in equal measure, making it a decent though unremarkable addition to any Blu-ray collection.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "Rising Sun" presents a mixed auditory performance that aligns with the film's restrained sound design. While the track features moments of high volume and presence, such as the thunderous drum sequences that recur throughout the film, it often fails to deliver the desired level of clarity and immersion. Many sound effects, including mechanical noises from elevator doors, come across as dated and somewhat muffled. The front-heavy mix sees localized effects being quite distinct, yet the overall soundstage lacks depth, with background music and ambient sounds failing to fully penetrate the listening environment.

Moreover, certain scenes that should offer a more enveloping audio experience, such as those depicting moderate rainfall, fall short of creating an immersive atmosphere. Despite these shortcomings, some elements, particularly during high-octane moments like speeding car chases and blaring alarms, do manage to deliver appropriately hefty volume and punch, even if they retain a slightly messy and garbled tone. Dialogue reproduction is a notable strength, remaining intelligible and strong throughout.

The soundtrack best serves its mid- and high-range aspects with solid technical attributes, maintaining a smooth bass response. When the rear channels are engaged, they primarily contribute to atmospheric sounds and ambient noise without overwhelming the soundstage. In conclusion, while "Rising Sun" offers a competent audio experience with clear dialogue and occasional bursts of dynamic sound, it ultimately remains somewhat constrained by its source material and dated sound effects.

The Blu-ray release of "Rising Sun" is devoid of any substantial supplemental content, offering merely a trio of trailers in 1080p resolution. While it's commendable that the clips are presented in high definition, the quality is inconsistent, with the "Rising Sun" trailer appearing particularly grainy. This lack of meaningful extras is a disappointment for fans hoping for behind-the-scenes insights or cast interviews.

Extras included in this disc:

• Rising Sun Trailer: The theatrical trailer for the film, in 1080p but notably grainy.
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Trailer: High definition preview.
• Kiss of the Dragon Trailer: High definition preview.

"Rising Sun," adapted from Michael Crichton's novel, is a thriller that blends murder, mystery, and high-stakes corporate intrigue with a central theme of advanced technology manipulation. Directed by Philip Kaufman, the film features compelling performances from Sean Connery as John Connor, an expert in Japanese culture, and Wesley Snipes as Detective Web Smith. They investigate the murder of a call girl found dead at a Japanese firm's U.S. headquarters. The duo navigates through cultural customs and uncover a network of deceit designed to mislead American investigators.

Despite its somewhat awkward pacing, "Rising Sun" stands out due to its intricate plot, which is straightforward enough to remain accessible. The film avoids reliance on action, instead focusing on dialogue, intrigue, and plot twists. Connery and Snipes elevate the material with strong, dignified performances, supported by an ensemble cast featuring Mako, Tia Carrere, Harvey Keitel, and others.

The film strikes a visually dark and mysterious tone, apt for its exploration of political and corporate treachery. Though the technological aspects of the story, particularly the video manipulation, may seem dated today, they effectively serve as components of a more complex narrative. While some elements feel superfluous or stereotyped, the film's core mystery and cultural clash themes are compelling. Ultimately, "Rising Sun" offers a substantial thriller experience marked by Crichton's deft storytelling and Kaufman's direction, despite its flaws and controversial portrayals.

"Rising Sun" is a competent thriller that showcases minimalist direction, allowing the film's tightly-woven mystery and solid performances to shine. Despite certain parts of the film feeling somewhat dated, the story remains sufficiently engaging, masking any minor shortcomings that have become apparent since its initial release. The film's narrative appeals primarily to mature audiences and requires some effort to fully appreciate, yet nearly two decades later, it still holds significant value.

The Blu-ray release by 20th Century Fox is a mixed bag. The 1080p transfer quality is inconsistent, offering only a satisfactory visual experience rather than an exceptional one. The lossless soundtrack, while decent, fails to impress and leaves room for improvement. Additionally, the lack of substantial extras on this release might be disappointing for enthusiasts looking for in-depth insights or bonus content.

Conclusion:

"Rising Sun" is a solid all-around Thriller that features minimalist direction that smartly allows for the film's tightly-woven mystery and solid performances to dominate every frame. Though parts of the film feel dated, the story nevertheless remains sufficiently intriguing so as to mask any shortcomings that seem evident only years after the picture's initial release. Still, Rising Sun is a good picture that's aimed at mature audiences and requires some effort to fully appreciate, but even approaching two decades since its release, the film remains well worth the time and effort. 20th Century Fox's Blu-ray release of Rising Sun delivers a hit-or-miss 1080p transfer, an underwhelming lossless soundtrack, and next-to-no extras. Rising Sun is certainly worth a rental for general audiences, and fans might want to give in and make a purchase considering the title's now-aggressive pricing.