The Duel Blu-ray Review

The stellar 1080p AVC-encoded transfer of "The Duel" on Blu-ray by Lionsgate showcases the cinematographic prowess of Jules O’Loughlin, offering an engaging visual feast in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Shot with the Arri Alexa, the film exhibits a sleek, well-detailed appearance, striking a balance between naturalistic and stylistic elements. Outdoor scenes are particularly notable for their nationalistic color palette, displaying high grassy fields and desert landscapes with razor-sharp clarity. This meticulous attention to detail is rendered beautifully in extreme close-ups, enhancing the viewer's immersion.

However, the film’s video presentation is not without its issues. The inclination towards a yellowish tint in daylight sequences contrasted by blue/gray grading in other scenes can sometimes lead to inconsistencies. Additionally, Kieran Darcy-Smith and O'Loughlin's penchant for shooting into light often introduces lens flare and blown-out highlights, contributing to occasional haziness. This is especially discernible in screenshots 3, 18, and 19. Furthermore, several indoor night scenes suffer from subpar black levels, leading to a loss of detail and shadow definition that detracts from the otherwise superb transfer.

Despite these minor setbacks, "The Duel" stands out for its impressive video quality on Blu-ray, proving to be highly recommendable due to its overall sharpness and beautiful naturalistic tones. The use of aggressive grading tactics occasionally disrupts the visual consistency but does not diminish the exceptional cinematography that makes many scenes a visual treat.

"The Duel" features a masterful DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that strikingly diverges from traditional Western soundscapes. Instead of constant gunfire, it employs subtler auditory elements like continuous rain and gentle breezes to create an evocative surround experience. When the action sequences do emerge, they are met with pronounced force and occasional low-frequency effects (LFE) that significantly elevate the sonic landscape. Dialogue is consistently rendered with remarkable clarity, ensuring a problem-free listening experience.

Lionsgate truly excels with this Blu-ray, crafting an audio track that's both surprising and impactful. The calming, atmospheric sounds beautifully mirror the film's landscapes, while fronts and surrounds together build a deeply immersive experience. Action scenes particularly standout; the surrounds dynamically come alive with natural and effective gunshots that move fluidly around the listener, expanding the usual auditory field. The LFE track impresses with its assertive bass during gunfire sequences and gently complements the score in quieter moments. Voice levels and overall volume are exceptionally well-tuned, providing crisp and clear dialogue at an above-average quality. This audio presentation undoubtedly showcases outstanding production and post-production efforts, making "The Duel" a remarkable auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Duel" offer a range of additional content that caters to cinephiles and casual viewers alike, with mixed success. The highlight should have been the audio commentary featuring director Kieran Darcy-Smith and production designer Toby Corbett. Unfortunately, this falls short due to the lack of insight into cinematography, which is one of the film's strong suits. While they delve into location scouting and thematic choices, the absence of cinematographer Jules O' Loughlin's perspective makes the discussion feel incomplete and somewhat unfocused.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Features director Kieran Darcy-Smith and production designer Toby Corbett discussing location scouting and thematic elements.

"The Duel" presents a gripping premise anchored in the mesmeric concepts of animal magnetism and cult-like influence, yet falters in its execution. Set in Texas, the narrative follows David Kingston, a Texas Ranger played by Liam Hemsworth, tasked with investigating a series of mysterious killings linked to a cult-like town leader, Abraham Brant (Woody Harrelson). The film opens with a tension-filled knife fight that sets the stage for a revenge quest, yet fails to maintain the expected suspense throughout. Hemsworth's portrayal of Kingston is notably stoic, often to the point of a lack of engagement, leaving his motives and emotional drive underdeveloped and largely unconvincing.

Woody Harrelson’s depiction of Brant is equally problematic, diverging into an over-the-top caricature that lacks the nuanced menace necessary for such a role. His character exudes a bizarre mixture of religious fanaticism and Southern charm, but without providing the intricate background or credible reasoning for his followers’ blind obedience. The script's uneven pacing further disrupts the narrative flow, harming the buildup of both tension and character development. While Alice Braga as Marisol has logical reasons for her character’s actions, her arc eventually diminishes into predictability, limiting her impact on the plot.

Technically, "The Duel" promises more than it delivers. The film struggles with maintaining a consistent tone and tension, leaving plot elements feeling contrived and underexplored. The thematic richness around suggestions of animal magnetism and faith healing adds intriguing layers, but these are never probed with enough depth to elevate the film above its narrative shortcomings. Despite strong thematic potential and sporadic compelling moments, "The Duel" ultimately suffers from weak character portrayals and underwhelming execution, making it a misfire in the realm of revenge Westerns.

"The Duel" is a film that offers a visually engaging experience, and Woody Harrelson's performance is notably compelling, carrying much of the film's weight. The directorial prowess of Kieran Darcy-Smith is apparent, with a deft visual aesthetic and strong performances from the cast. However, the narrative structure falls short of its potential, characterized by inefficient writing and a strangely disjointed storytelling approach. This inconsistent pacing hampers the overall viewing experience, despite the individual strengths of certain scenes and character portrayals.

While the story attempts to craft a compelling revenge plot, it lacks coherence, ultimately feeling underdeveloped. The film slogs at times, arriving too soon at critical plot points, which diminishes the impact of climactic moments. A more strategic build-up akin to cinematic classics such as 'Apocalypse Now' could have greatly enhanced the storytelling arc. Unfortunately, the revenge narrative is aimless in parts and culminates in a rather uninspired climax, despite the film's aesthetic strengths.

For viewers who prioritize technical excellence in film, "The Duel" delivers with a high-quality Blu Ray transfer that enhances its stunning visuals and robust audio track. However, the narrative shortcomings may leave those seeking substantive storytelling somewhat disappointed. Caveats aside, there is enough merit in the visual craft and Harrelson's performance to make this a recommended watch for those willing to overlook its screenplay flaws. Ultimately, "The Duel" caters more to a viewer’s eyes than to their narrative sensibilities.