Conan the Barbarian Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Conan the Barbarian" offers a mixed visual experience that, despite its flaws, represents the best rendition of the film available in home media. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, re-mastered for this release, showcases notable improvements in clarity and resolution when compared to previous DVD versions. It captures the film's original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with significant detailing, particularly in bright scenes where delineation and dimension are most apparent. Close-ups reveal impressive textures in armor and facial features, while the landscape and architecture boast sharp definition. However, some issues persist, such as intermittent noise reduction, minor edge enhancement artifacts, and variable graininess that occasionally becomes thick and distracting.

Contrast levels and dynamic range fluctuate, influenced by the inherent qualities of the original cinematography. While some scenes exhibit deep blacks that appear mildly crushed and flat, others offer well-balanced and crisp contrast. Nighttime sequences suffer the most with average shadow delineation and noticeable fuzziness. Despite these darker moments, the color palette maintains accurate saturation with lifelike flesh tones and solid primary colors. Color accuracy and encode proficiency remain strong, offering vivid primaries and secondary hues without significant anomalies like artifacting or banding. The blu-ray master incorporates minimal digital cleanup, preserving the film's cinematic integrity while introducing slight ringing around high-contrast scenes.

Overall, while the remaster does introduce some continuity issues and visual inconsistencies, it is still a significant upgrade over previous home video formats. For fans of John Milius' "Conan the Barbarian," this Blu-ray release represents the definitive home viewing experience despite its imperfections.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track on the Blu-ray release of "Conan the Barbarian" is a remarkable effort that brings new life to the original monaural design. Retaining a front-oriented perspective for most of the runtime, the track offers clean, clear, and well-prioritized dialogue despite occasional shrill or muffled lines. The sound effects carry a notable presence and strength, although some tinniness is evident. The limited but immersive use of rear speakers enhances the experience unexpectedly well, creating a broad sense of space that persists throughout the film.

The standout aspect of this audio presentation is, unquestionably, Basil Poledouris' powerful and memorable score. The music fills the front soundstage with deep, earthy tones that extend into the rear channels with subtle but effective execution, creating a sense of omnipresence. The instrumentation remains distinct and clean, blending seamlessly with the choir segments to build an engulfing auditory experience. While the low-end frequency effects do not drastically engage the room, they provide sufficient weight to battle scenes, making each clash of swords remarkably clear. Although the dynamics and directionality might falter given the age of the source material, this high-resolution track greatly surpasses its lossy counterparts and remains faithful without sounding artificial.

In sum, while it may not match the precision of contemporary action soundtracks, this Blu-ray's audio presentation ensures fans of Milius' "Conan the Barbarian" will be thoroughly pleased. It balances expectations with its generous treatment of the original elements, delivering a compelling and enjoyable listening experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Conan the Barbarian" includes numerous extras derived from previous editions yet lacks new robust supplemental content, much to the disappointment of fans eager for more extensive offerings. The keystone feature, an audio commentary by Director John Milius and Arnold Schwarzenegger, is punctuated by amusing anecdotes but ultimately falls short in delivering profound production insights. Historical context and visual exploration are well-served by "Conan Unchained," though its dated look hampers its appeal. Other notable extras like "Art of Steel" and "Conan: From the Vault" provide intriguing but brief glimpses into various facets of the film's creation. Overall, while the extras may have value for hardcore fans, they fail to introduce meaningful new material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director John Milius and star Arnold Schwarzenegger narrate the film with anecdotes and observations.
• Conan Unchained: Comprehensive retrospective documentary featuring cast and crew interviews.
• Art of Steel: Insight into modern sword-making techniques.
• Conan: From the Vault: Rediscovered on-set interviews from 1982.
• Special Effects: Brief split-screen comparison scene.
• The Conan Archives: Montage of production drawings, concept art, and photos.
• Deleted Scenes: Five unfinished deleted scenes.
• Theatrical Trailers: Two original trailers.
• BD-Live Functionality and News Ticker
• My Scenes Bookmarking

"Conan the Barbarian," directed by John Milius and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, stands as a quintessential 1980s fantasy-adventure film. The movie presents the journey of young Conan from slavery to avenger, driven by a quest to revenge his parents' murder by the sinister Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones). The transformation of Conan from a defeated slave to a formidable warrior, complemented by his alliances with Subotai (Gerry Lopez), Valeria (Sandahl Bergman), and the wizard Akiro (Mako), is compelling, if occasionally simplistic. Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of Conan, a character defined more by sheer physicality than by the cunning and charisma of Robert E. Howard's original pulp stories, brings a certain unique charm to the film.

Set in the fictional Hyborian Age, Milius' film may be a significant departure from Howard’s tales, presenting a protagonist that is more muscle-bound brute than cunning adventurer. Despite these deviations, the film excels in delivering thrilling sword-and-sorcery escapism layered with dark undertones. The vivid production design, Basil Poledouris’ grandiose musical score, and the engaging yet straightforward plot contribute significantly to creating an immersive experience. James Earl Jones’ portrayal of Thulsa Doom steals the show, adding gravitas and a chilling presence that elevates the story’s stakes.

While "Conan the Barbarian" may not be a pristine adaptation or exhibit timeless storytelling finesse, it revels in its status as a product of its time—a robust mix of over-the-top brawn, escapist fantasy, and lustrous spectacle. Milius' film capitalizes on these elements to great effect, despite occasional lapses into campiness and uneven dialogue. For fans of unabashed genre filmmaking, "Conan the Barbarian" offers a nostalgic and exhilarating journey through an age of high adventure and savage revenge.

Marcus Nispel's reboot of the iconic "Conan the Barbarian" has sparked renewed interest in John Milius' 1982 classic, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in his groundbreaking role. This Blu-ray release from Universal, while not perfect, provides a substantial upgrade over its DVD counterpart. The film, although not an exact adaptation of Robert E. Howard's work, is undeniably engaging and remains one of the few '80s sword-and-sorcery films that hold up without embarrassment. The DTS-HD Master Audio track significantly enhances Basil Poledouris’ legendary score, but the video transfer presents some inconsistencies that might detract from the visual experience for discerning viewers.

Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger and the fantasy-adventure genre will find this edition of "Conan the Barbarian" particularly appealing. The Blu-ray boasts a robust audio presentation that does justice to the film's dynamic soundtrack, encapsulating the intense drama and action sequences effectively. However, the video quality, though improved, exhibits minor issues that could have been addressed better. Additionally, the supplemental content mirrors that of the previous DVD release, lacking substantial new features except for a few minor additions that might intrigue die-hard fans.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray version of "Conan the Barbarian" is a mandatory addition to the collections of fantasy and Schwarzenegger enthusiasts. Despite its flaws, it remains the best available edition of this cult classic. The engaging audio experience and notable performance by Schwarzenegger make up for the less-than-perfect video quality and modest supplemental offerings. For its reasonable price point, it offers a worthy upgrade for existing fans and a compelling introduction for new viewers.