American Psycho Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "American Psycho" delivers a moderately good 1080p, 2.35:1 widescreen transfer. Super35 filming techniques provide a detailed and clear image throughout, but the transfer is not without its flaws. The opening sequence exhibits heavy speckling and pronounced grain, which remain, though diminished, into the main segments of the film. Additionally, a horizontal black line above and below the black bars runs throughout the entire movie, indicating possible issues with mastering. Close-ups reveal high levels of detail, including makeup on the actors, though flesh tones are occasionally a bit off. The material benefits from strong colors and stable imaging that appear well at large magnifications, though blacks sometimes lean towards gray. The film adopts a vibrant palette that complements the narrative's happy-go-lucky superficiality and Bateman’s character’s manic persona.

Colors are vivid without bleeding, and the contrast is sharp, adding to the film’s sterile visual style influenced by Hitchcock and Kubrick. Despite the film being brightly lit, minor fading is noticeable in some nighttime exterior scenes—a surprising issue for a film of its age. One technical imperfection includes slight edginess on high-contrast objects, such as blinds in Bateman’s apartment. There are no major compression issues like macroblocking, but some edge enhancement is observable with ghostly outlines in high-contrast scenes. Overall, while the Blu-ray transfer of "American Psycho" presents a clean and vivid look that many will find satisfactory, it does miss the mark when judged against the highest-quality transfers available on the format today.

Lionsgate's Blu-ray presentation of "American Psycho" provides audio tracks in Dolby Digital 5.1 EX and DTS-HD HR 6.1 formats. This review focuses on the DTS-HD HR 6.1 track. While the music transitions from fine classical pieces to dance club beats, it lacks the vibrancy and crispness typically associated with lossless soundtracks. Music serves an essential role in the film, featuring iconic tracks such as Huey Lewis & the News' "Hip to Be Square" and Simply Red's "If You Don't Know Me By Now." Although all songs sound acceptable, the overall audio quality falls short of the perfection seen in high-caliber releases.

Dialogue reproduction is one of the few highlights; Bateman's methodical monologues are clear and distinct, with each syllable articulated perfectly. However, the surround presence is minimal, focusing more on the front speakers. Scenes like the infamous chainsaw sequence offer some auditory excitement, with impressively loud and realistic effects followed by abrupt silence, successfully conveying the film's intense mood. Gunshots in Chapter 13 are surprisingly effective, featuring multi-directional impacts that make good use of the surround system and offer robust subwoofer integration.

Despite these moments, the overall sound design remains underwhelming and front-heavy. Ambient effects are scant, contributing to a somewhat flat auditory experience. Although deep bass is present, it doesn't particularly stand out, and secondary effects such as background voices sometimes sound artificial. The rear speakers see limited usage except during specific, heightened scenes. While a lossless track could theoretically bring more clarity and definition, it wouldn't dramatically transform the existing audio without further engineering. Overall, this is an average yet competent presentation given the nature of the film's sound design.

The Blu-ray edition of "American Psycho" offers a commendable selection of extras, highlighted by two distinct audio commentaries. Director and co-writer Mary Harron presents a particularly insightful track, despite her reserved demeanor, providing focused and precise commentary on each scene. Co-writer and actor Guinevere Turner offers a contrasting perspective, blending baseline film information with intriguing critiques. These audio tracks are complemented by the feature "The 80s: Downtown," which offers an evocative 32-minute exploration of the socio-cultural backdrop that inspired the movie. Additionally, the disc includes five deleted scenes accompanied by optional commentary from Harron, adding further context and depth. Unfortunately, some original DVD extras are missing, but the Blu-ray edition compensates well with its new supplemental content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Director Commentary: Mary Harron provides scene-specific insights with a professional tone.
• Co-Writer Commentary: Guinevere Turner offers alternative perspectives and critiques.
• The 80s: Downtown: A 32-minute featurette exploring the decade’s socio-cultural backdrop.
• Deleted Scenes: Five scenes with optional commentary by Mary Harron.
• Trailers: Includes previews for "Crank," "The Descent," and "Saw III."

"American Psycho" delves into the intricate exploration of Patrick Bateman's mind, offering a disturbing portrait of unchecked primal urges and psychological degradation. The film masterfully dissects themes such as greed, status, instinct, perversion, and vanity. Christian Bale's portrayal of Bateman is nothing short of exceptional, delivering a complex character who outwardly leads a life of success while masking an internal turmoil that manifests in brutal violence. His rigid lifestyle and obsession with perfection contrast starkly with his darker inclinations, creating a chilling juxtaposition. The film's philosophical undertones are palpable, taking audiences deep into Bateman's fractured psyche.

Director Mary Harron adapts Bret Easton Ellis' contentious novel with an adept balance of satire and horror. While the book is notorious for its graphic violence and minimalist plot, Harron elevates the material through a surreal, almost comic-book-like approach to the film's violent sequences. This stylistic choice mitigates the brutality and enhances the narrative's dark humor and biting social commentary. Scenes in which Bateman's psychosis leaks into reality are particularly effective, leaving viewers questioning the boundary between fantasy and reality. The ensemble cast, including Reese Witherspoon and Willem Dafoe, enriches the film, bringing a genuinely unsettling yet darkly comedic atmosphere to life.

Despite its sharp wit and intelligent execution, "American Psycho" struggled at the box office, largely due to marketing missteps that positioned it as a conventional horror thriller. However, this adaptation benefits from its cult status on home video, where its nuanced satire and societal critique have found a more appreciative audience. Bale's impeccable transformation into Bateman—complete with manicured perfection masking sadistic tendencies—grounds the film’s abstract themes in a harrowing performance that stands as a testament to his versatile acting prowess. Overall, "American Psycho" remains a darkly compelling cinematic exploration of human deviance, sharpened by Bale’s performance and Harron’s incisive direction.

The Blu-ray release of "American Psycho" offers an intriguing look at the 2000 cult favorite starring Christian Bale, whose performance is both chilling and captivating. The film, based on Bret Easton Ellis’s controversial novel, serves as a satirical examination of 1980s consumerism and moral decay, employing dark humor and disturbing elements. Lionsgate's Blu-ray provides a reasonable but not exceptional audiovisual experience, which might be a slight disappointment for home theater enthusiasts seeking top-tier quality.

On the positive side, the movie remains thoroughly engaging due to its unique blend of horror and satire. Christian Bale's portrayal of Patrick Bateman is nothing short of mesmerizing, drawing viewers in with his meticulous and hauntingly obsessive behavior. The video quality of the Blu-ray is deemed "decent" but exhibits some inconsistencies, reflecting the limitations of an earlier high-definition transfer. Audio performance is similarly moderate; it lacks the punch expected from a more modern lossless soundtrack but is functional within its mid-range confines.

Supplemental material on the disc offers a mixed experience—while informative, some may find it lacking in depth compared to more comprehensive Blu-ray releases. Given Lionsgate's aggressive pricing strategy for their back catalog, this release still holds value for fans of the film despite its technical shortcomings.

In conclusion, "American Psycho" is a fascinating character study that stands strong on the merit of its narrative and performance, even if the Blu-ray release does not fully meet modern technical standards. With its compelling story and darkly satirical edge, it's a compelling addition to any film collection, particularly given the affordability of this edition. Despite its audiovisual imperfections, we still recommend it for its captivating content and cultural significance.