Synchronicity Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Synchronicity" offers a contentious mix of artistic choices and technical challenges. Shot digitally with anamorphic lenses and extensive use of smoke to create diffusion, the film deliberately emulates a film noir aesthetic. Cinematographer Eric Maddison's visual homage to "Blade Runner" is evident, as he employs lighting techniques that mimic Ridley Scott's style of illuminating interiors from light sources outside. The 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray sourced from a digital intermediate manages to carry over much of the film's intended visual texture, albeit with some compromise. The desaturated palette rendering the film almost monochromatic, with sporadic bursts of bright colors in critical scenes, is captured well by the Blu-ray. However, it's pertinent to mention that softness in the image from the combination of anamorphic lenses and continual use of smoke sometimes detracts from the sharpness generally expected from digital origination.

Technically, the Blu-ray's performance is a mixed bag. Magnolia's encoding at an average bitrate of 21.99 Mbps, which is relatively low, has seemingly contributed to several of the image quality problems. Issues such as banding, crushing shadows, dull blacks, and aliasing are prevalent throughout the film. This is particularly noticeable in dark scenes where definition is notably vague and indistinct, often reducing blacks to mere shades of gray rather than deep, inky hues. The CGI cityscapes suffer visibly from banding and aliasing, and fine detail remains elusive even in close-up shots. In contrast, more abstract visual sequences—specifically those depicting Jim's altered mental state—stand out as visually superior segments amidst the overall lackluster presentation.

Overall, while "Synchronicity" adheres closely to its stylistic ambitions, the Blu-ray's technical execution falls short in delivering a crisp and detailed viewing experience. Those seeking high-definition precision may find this presentation lacking, despite it conveying the filmmakers' intended visual mood.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Synchronicity" comes equipped with a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, which shines predominantly during the activation of Jim Beale's wormhole-generating machine. During these sequences, the soundscape fills with a detailed hum and roar, immersing the listener in a cacophony of electrical arcing and rattling laboratory contents. The film's audio landscape, though paralleled by a few other aggressive moments, is otherwise dominated by Ben Lovett’s electronic score. Lovett’s work on Moog synthesizers masterfully invokes the nostalgic tones of Vangelis and Tangerine Dream, providing a substantial moodiness. This synthesis is reproduced with impressive presence, clarity, and dynamic range, ensuring a rich auditory experience, although some whispered dialogue lines may occasionally prove harder to discern.

Surround sound enhancements provide some degree of immersion but fall short of being truly enveloping. While the wormhole sequences provide engaging spatial effects, most of the film’s sound elements are front-focused, leading to limited directional movements and an overall average mix as expected from lower-budget productions. The center channel effectively delivers clear dialogue for well-spoken lines, though whispered exchanges can sometimes lack clarity. Low-frequency effects (LFE) are prominent during the synthesized soundtrack and key plot moments, ensuring that while the overall mix might not be groundbreaking, it remains serviceable and adequately supports the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Synchronicity" offer a comprehensive look behind the scenes, though the content is largely promotional. Jacob Gentry's commentary is rich in technical details and production insights, particularly on location, lighting, and cinematic influences. However, it lacks a thorough exploration of the film's story logic, which only Gentry could elucidate. Three brief interviews provide additional perspectives: Chad McKnight on his acting challenges, Brianne Davis on her enjoyment of playing Abby, and Jacob Gentry on production—though his commentary covers more ground. The music video "Time Travel," featuring Ben Lovett's score set to film clips, adds a stylistic touch. The inclusion of the theatrical trailer rounds out the package but doesn't provide substantial new content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Writer/Director Jacob Gentry: Focuses on technical and production details.
• Interview with Actor Chad McKnight: Discusses character challenges.
• Interview with Actress Brianne Davis: Shares thoughts on playing Abby.
• Interview with Writer/Director Jacob Gentry: Brief discussion on film production.
• Synchronicity Music Video – Time Travel: Film clips set to Ben Lovett’s instrumental score.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original marketing trailer for the film.

In "Synchronicity," director Jacob Gentry intricately weaves his extensive cinematic influences into a film that melds sci-fi thriller and film noir genres. The narrative centers around Jim Beale (Chad McKnight), a physicist in a near-future parallel world who masters a wormhole machine, funded by venture capitalist Klaus Meisner (Michael Ironside). Key plot points include cryptic occurrences, such as the appearance of a rare flower, and Jim's unsettling fits and blackouts, driving him to unravel an enigma entwined with time travel. The film's visual aesthetic nods heavily to "Blade Runner" with its atmospheric lighting and Vangelis-like synth score, creating an immersive yet enigmatic experience.

However, "Synchronicity" grapples with delivering on its ambitious concepts due to its constrained budget and occasionally lackluster performances. While the time-hopping mechanism holds potential for deep exploration, the screenplay's structure—showing events from multiple perspectives—struggles to maintain coherence, occasionally feeling forced rather than insightful. The dynamic between Jim and Abby Ross (Brianne Davis) devotes itself to an inter-dimensional romance that overshadows the more intriguing sci-fi elements. Despite commendable efforts to establish a unique mood with visually distinct and synth-heavy musical scores, comparisons to high-budget classics like "Blade Runner" and "Dark City" highlight the film’s shortcomings in production quality.

Ultimately, while "Synchronicity" showcases inventive visuals and a deliberate blending of genres that echo 80s sci-fi cinema, it falters under its own aspirations. The film's convoluted narrative and uneven acting detract from the potentially gripping story of time travel and psychological intrigue. Despite these issues, Gentry's attempt to create an otherworldly feel using layered references to other cinematic works indicates a thoughtful, albeit imperfect, homage to the science fiction genre.

"Synchronicity" is a sci-fi film that manifests a unique blend of futuristic design and retro aesthetics, creating an engaging visual experience that stands distinctly apart from mainstream CGI-heavy productions. Director Jacob Gentry meticulously weaves a tapestry of time travel paradoxes, paying homage to classic sci-fi while daringly venturing into new narrative territories. The film never ceases to provoke thought and curiosity, thanks to Gentry's relentless riddling and unexpected plot developments. For enthusiasts of the genre, it offers a chance to engage deeply with its intricate storyline, making it a compelling watch.

However, despite its potential, "Synchronicity" falters in several critical areas. The film’s budget constraints are evident, affecting the overall production quality. The actors, unfortunately, fail to spark any believable chemistry, particularly in the romantic subplot that ends up feeling forced and unconvincing. This undermines the narrative's emotional core, causing the story to drift into predictability and hollow sentiment. Technically, the Blu-Ray presentation disappoints with subpar video quality and average audio performance, failing to deliver the immersive experience one hopes for in a home viewing setup.

Conclusively, while "Synchronicity" boasts commendable visual style and ambitious storytelling that might appeal to hardcore sci-fi aficionados, its execution leaves much to be desired. The lack of actor chemistry and the compromised technical aspects significantly detract from its viewing pleasure. It may be worthwhile for those interested in dissecting its narrative complexities, but others might prefer catching it on cable rather than investing in a Blu-Ray purchase.