Darkman Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Darkman" offers a mixed visual experience that mirrors the chaotic transformation of its protagonist, Peyton Westlake. The 1080p VC-1 encoded image, with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, displays a significant variance in quality. There are moments when the picture excels—details are razor-sharp, colors are vibrant, particularly during scenes like the carnival’s bright lights and the vividly orange flames, and black levels generally hold up well in shadowy sequences. However, these instances of visual acuity starkly contrast with other scenes where the image becomes distressingly soft, blanched, or marred by grain and dirt. Notably poor is the opening title sequence, which suffers from pronounced dirtiness and softness, suggesting compromised source elements.

The inconsistency further extends to specific technical concerns. While black levels are mostly strong, there are incidences of black crush where delineation is lost in the shadows, affecting the overall depth of darker scenes. Colors often appear bright but skew towards unnatural pink tones, especially noticeable in skin tones. The fluctuating sharpness also means that textures lack consistency; faces frequently look overly smooth due to an evident but not overbearing application of digital noise reduction (DNR). This importance on DNR treatment perhaps prevented some filmic characteristics such as natural grain but did not completely eliminate issues like scratches and flecks on the film elements.

Overall, the video quality on this Blu-ray release provides a viewing experience that can be both compellingly clear and disappointingly flawed, suggesting that more careful remastering efforts could have yielded a more uniformly satisfying presentation. These fluctuations between crisp detail and compromised visuals underscore the need for balanced and meticulous source management.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix of "Darkman" is competent yet underwhelming, failing to deliver the immersive audio experience expected for an action/superhero genre film. Much of the sound design remains front-centric, with negligible utilization of the surround channels, which makes the overall experience feel flat. While dialogue throughout the film is consistently clear and well-balanced with Danny Elfman's score, the mix lacks dynamic range, causing louder moments to feel subdued.

Foley effects, although intelligently positioned within the soundfield, often lack authenticity and the sharpness found in more modern action films. The soundscape is sparsely populated with ambient noise from scenes like the carnival or gunfire, and the subwoofer doesn't provide the deep bass one might anticipate. These shortcomings make the audio presentation fall short of creating a truly engaging or immersive experience, despite its clarity.

Universal has finally given "Darkman" a well-deserved comprehensive and engaging Blu-Ray release, providing fans with a wealth of supplemental material that delves deep into the making of the film. These extras offer an invaluable glimpse into the creative process behind this cult classic, featuring in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and insightful commentaries. The disc is a treasure trove for aficionados, offering both technical and narrative insights that contribute to a fuller appreciation of the movie. Despite previous criticisms, this edition addresses past oversights and presents the material in a technically polished manner.

Extras included in this disc:

• Director's Commentary: In-depth insights from Sam Raimi.
• Behind The Scenes: Footage showcasing the film's production.
• Cast Interviews: Perspectives from key actors.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional, unseen footage.
• Special Effects Featurette: Detailed look at visual effects work.

Sam Raimi's Darkman, his first foray into superhero cinema and Hollywood films, demonstrates his signature style—an amalgamation of horror, action, and zany comedy. With a plot echoing elements from classics like Phantom of the Opera and The Shadow, the film does not shy away from its derivative roots yet manages to carve a unique identity. Liam Neeson delivers an uncharacteristically hammy performance as Dr. Peyton Westlake, a scientist turned avenger due to a gangster-led attack, led by the menacing Larry Drake's Robert Durant. The film’s absurdity is accentuated when Westlake's synthetic skin, enabling superhero-like transformations, lasts only 99 minutes, resulting in frequent bouts of lunatic humor and hyperbolic scenes—one of which culminates at a circus, invoking a sinister yet hilarious depiction of Westlake's trauma.

Although intended as a superhero crime thriller wrapped in black comedy and horror, Darkman grapples with tonal inconsistencies. Raimi does not completely settle on one genre, a decision that leads to jarring shifts between grim violence and juvenile humor. Frances McDormand struggles to bring depth to her character, Julie, in a largely underwritten role. Neeson's fluctuating intensity occasionally disrupts the narrative flow. Moreover, Raimi's penchant for disorienting camera movements, reminiscent of comic book framing, might divide audiences between those who appreciate his dynamic vision and those left reaching for Dramamine.

Despite its flaws—including corny moments, logical lapses in the story, and generic villainy—the film is commendable for its inventive action sequences and visual flair. The over-the-top performances, particularly Neeson’s and Drake’s, combined with an evolving yet unreliable synthetic skin subplot, demand a suspension of disbelief. While Darkman may not achieve the cohesion of Raimi’s later works like Spiderman, it embodies the director's low-fi ethos and vivid creativity, making it an entertaining piece for those who enjoy unpretentious thrill rides with a quirky edge.

Sam Raimi's "Darkman" provides an intriguing blend of superhero tropes with horror elements, showcasing Liam Neeson in a role that's both thrilling and uncharacteristically eccentric for the actor. Raimi’s iconic hyperkinetic camera work brings energy and innovation to the narrative, though the requirement for suspension of disbelief is considerable. The film’s plot and character arcs have notable flaws, which may detract from the overall experience. However, fans of Raimi and superhero genres will likely find enjoyment in the film’s inventive sequences despite the inconsistencies.

The Blu-ray release of "Darkman" falls short in leveraging the high-definition format to its full potential. While the visual and audio enhancements are a step up from older versions, they don't reach the level of quality expected from more recent, meticulously mastered releases. This iteration does not justify a double-dip purchase for those who already own the HD DVD, making it a non-essential buy for collectors who prioritize superior image and sound fidelity. Universal’s efforts here feel lackluster, providing an experience that is competent but not remarkable.

In conclusion, "Darkman" has flaws it can't quite overcome, yet it's so goofily enjoyable that most audience members will probably be willing to overlook the shortcomings and just bask in the silly ride. This is Neeson in a hyperbolic, Grand Guignol mode you haven't seen him in before (even in Taken), and Raimi works his typical hyperkinetic magic with the camera. Suspension of disbelief may reach the epic proportions of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, but if you're willing to go there, "Darkman" has some very inventive moments. This Blu-ray doesn't up the image and audio quality to a point where it's a must-buy, but my hunch is most ardent fans of the film will want this new release. For everyone else, it is a better-than-average evening's rental.