Safety Not Guaranteed Blu-ray Review

"Safety Not Guaranteed" offers a mixed bag in its Blu-ray video presentation. On one hand, the high-definition transfer is certainly not devoid of merit. Images are resolved with noteworthy detail, particularly in close-up shots where textures and facial lines come to life. Exterior shots of the lush northwest exhibit impressive clarity and refined visuals, while colors generally maintain pleasing and accurate tones. White and black levels achieve a good balance, delivering both punchy whites and stable blacks that contribute to the overall natural look of the film. Highlighting the rural setting, long-range visuals remain lucid, enhancing the film's immersive quality without noticeable artifacts.

However, the transfer is not without its flaws. Derived from a digital shoot, it frequently demonstrates technical limitations typical of low-budget productions. Inconsistencies in specific scenes, such as Darius' first interview, reveal prominent blocking and jittering issues, which detract from overall visual coherence. Scenes shot in lower light wrestle with heavy noise invasion and jagged edges, compromising image quality. Additionally, some sequences suffer from pronounced false colors, heavy banding during color transitions, and overwhelmingly dark blacks that obscure finer details. These issues are sporadic yet persistent enough to be distracting.

While "Safety Not Guaranteed" succeeds in delivering reasonable visual fidelity for general viewing, the transfer's inconsistencies and technical deficiencies prevent it from being a reference-quality presentation. It manages an acceptable viewing experience considering its small-budget origins but falls short when scrutinized for high-definition excellence.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for "Safety Not Guaranteed" is proficiently tailored to the film's dialogue-driven nature, delivering a commendable audio experience. Vocal reproduction is smooth and free of stridence, rendered crisply through the center channel. The film benefits from a front-oriented surround mix delivered via an expansive soundstage, with detailed and appropriately prioritized audio elements. Subtle rear-channel integration provides a venue-replicating surround envelopment and enhances musical segments without overshadowing the primary dialogue track. The dynamic range is noteworthy, shining in particular scenes, though the subwoofer remains underutilized except for specific moments near the film’s end.

Listeners will appreciate the robust clarity and front-end spacing, crucial for maintaining the film’s engaging narrative flow. Ambient effects are a highlight, contributing significantly to the immersive audio landscape. Scenes set in a bustling magazine office are brought to life with realistic chatter and ringing phones, while a high school football game features authentic marching band sounds, whistles, and crowd reactions, skillfully enhancing the viewing experience. Overall, despite some limitations in subwoofer engagement, the audio presentation compliments the source material well, offering a stable and enjoyable listening experience that supports the film effectively.

The Blu-ray of "Safety Not Guaranteed" offers two primary film-related supplements that provide valuable insights into the production process and the story's origins. The main featurette, "A Movie Making Mission," delves deeply into the thoughts of the cast and crew on various aspects such as the script, character development, and critical scenes, highlighting how they brought the narrative to life. Another brief but engaging segment, "The Ad Behind the Movie," features the original ad's author, John Silveira, discussing its inception and public reception. These extras collectively enhance the viewing experience by offering a behind-the-scenes look at the film's creation and historical context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Safety Not Guaranteed: A Movie Making Mission: Cast and crew reveal their thoughts on the story, script, characters, shooting process, dramatic scenes, and prop construction.
• The AD Behind the Movie: John Silveira discusses the original ad and public reactions to it.

"Safety Not Guaranteed" is an endearing gem that stands out in the contemporary cinematic landscape with its heartfelt narrative, charismatic performances, and genuine wit. The film centers on Darius (Aubrey Plaza), a young intern grappling with life's uncertainties, who embarks on a quest with two magazine colleagues to investigate an eccentric named Kenneth (Mark Duplass). Kenneth, a paranoid yet lovable supermarket clerk, claims to have solved the mystery of time travel. The film seamlessly blends humor, pathos, and adventure as it delves into themes of belief and human connection.

Plaza delivers a nuanced performance, portraying Darius's quirky yet sincere personality with remarkable authenticity. Her interaction with Kenneth, played with equal parts charm and mystery by Duplass, forms the crux of the film's emotional resonance. Duplass's embodiment of Kenneth is splendidly multifaceted – he’s awkward, enigmatic, and undeniably endearing, crafting one of the more memorable characters in recent romantic comedies. Supporting roles by Jake Johnson and Karan Soni provide additional humor and depth, although their narratives feel somewhat underdeveloped by the film’s conclusion.

Director Colin Trevorrow’s deft handling of the screenplay allows the story’s innate charm to shine. The film’s intelligence is evident in its dialogue and plot mechanics, which eschew grandiosity for grounded, character-driven storytelling. The low-speed suburban car chase and other quirky elements enrich the film without overshadowing its core message. "Safety Not Guaranteed" captivates with its blend of geeky science fiction allure and heartwarming human drama, leaving viewers both entertained and contemplative about the unending possibilities of belief and companionship.

"Safety Not Guaranteed" is an engaging cinematic experience brimming with charm, heart, and a sincere narrative that captivates from start to finish. At its core, the film is driven by a brilliantly crafted script and compelling performances that seamlessly blend humor and emotion, making for a delightful viewing experience. The film's thematic depth ensures that it leaves a lasting impression, positioning it as one of the standout productions of the year.

Sony’s Blu-ray release showcases a mixed bag in terms of technical quality. The video presentation is somewhat inconsistent, with some scenes failing to meet high-definition expectations while others deliver impressive visual clarity. This disparity does not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience but is worth noting for the discerning viewer. The lossless soundtrack, however, is a standout component of this release, providing a rich and immersive auditory experience that enhances the film's emotional beats.

The primary shortfall of this Blu-ray release is its lack of substantial supplemental content, which may disappoint enthusiasts looking for deeper insights into the film’s production and creative processes. Despite this, the quality of the film itself makes this Blu-ray edition a worthwhile acquisition. It serves as a testament to the power of character-driven storytelling and is a highly recommended addition to any film aficionado's collection.

In conclusion, "Safety Not Guaranteed" is an exemplary piece of filmmaking that deserves both recognition and appreciation. While the Blu-ray release isn't perfect, it delivers enough in terms of audiovisual quality to warrant a purchase. This release illustrates that technical imperfections cannot overshadow the heart and creativity at the center of this charming narrative.