THX 1138 Blu-ray Review

Warner's Blu-ray transfer for "THX 1138" delivers an impressive visual experience, showcasing the film in its stark 2.40:1 aspect ratio encoded via VC-1. Benefiting from the Lucas-supervised restoration in 2004, the Blu-ray maintains the film's distinctive monochromatic palette with notable detail and cleanliness. The new scenes and Director’s Cut footage are seamlessly integrated into the original material, preserving the filmic grain while presenting some degree of inconsistency, particularly in high-detail white limbo sequences. Occasional digital noise reduction (DNR) artifacts and slight edge enhancement are observed, yet they minimally detract from the overall visual quality.

The clarity offered by this transfer significantly outperforms previous home video versions. Close-ups exhibit notable detail, with finely delineated textures in human faces, the intricate wiring within circuits, and the metallic sheen of the androids' masks. The sterile, clinical environments appear convincingly devoid of blemishes, while textured surfaces such as tunnel walls and the 'Shell-Dwellers' demonstrate a commendable blend of practical and digital effects. The popping neon lights and varied color accents, such as the android factory's hues, provide a vital visual contrast to the film’s otherwise stark aesthetic.

Contrast and color handling in this Blu-ray release are exceptional, with deep blacks and well-defined shadows enhancing the film's moody, atmospheric shots. Skin tones are convincingly lifelike, and the brief bursts of color—such as the android factory's glowing yellow elements—are rendered with precision. While there are minor artifacts, including some smearing indicative of scene-specific noise reduction and faint banding, these issues are relatively insignificant. The presentation remains leagues ahead of its DVD predecessor, ensuring that this version of "THX 1138" will satisfy aficionados who value both technical detail and visual fidelity.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "THX 1138" on Blu-ray delivers a compelling audio experience that meticulously upholds the film’s innovative sound design and era-specific characteristics. Dialogue is clean and intelligible, effectively capturing the disorienting dystopian essence of Lucas's film. The front-heavy mix prioritizes clarity and precision, delivering the surreal and mechanical sounds of Walter Murch’s hypnotic soundscape with impressive clarity. Ambient effects such as crowd babble, machine whirring, and street noise are captured with exceptional fidelity, threading an intimate auditory atmosphere across the film's underground environment. However, surround sound activity, while present, is largely restrained, providing atmospheric cues without overwhelming dynamism.

Compared to the audio presentations of other contemporary releases, this mix for "THX 1138" stands out with its ability to retain the original '70s tonal quality while enhancing each auditory element. Rear speaker engagement is subtle but effective in contributing to environmental authenticity, such as during the transition from silent corridors to bustling streets. The LFE is adequately utilized for potent but controlled bass effects like factory explosions and motorbike crashes, enhancing the scenes without overt intrusion. Despite this restraint, Murch's sound design shines through with a scintillating clarity that preserves the eerie and unsettling presence of Lucas' subterranean world.

Ultimately, while the DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix may not deliver an immersive wraparound bombast, it impeccably complements the visual stylings and creative sound design integral to "THX 1138." The minimalist score by Lalo Schifrin is cleanly reproduced, albeit notably reserved until key moments. Viewers can expect a faithful and detailed rendering marked by meticulous preservation of dialogue and ambient effects over pure sonic spectacle. Thus, this audio upgrade from previous DVD mixes provides a significantly enhanced listening experience that aligns well with Warner’s high-definition video transfer, ensuring that "THX 1138" has never sounded better on disc.

The Blu-ray of "THX 1138: The George Lucas Director's Cut" offers an exhaustive supplemental package, essential for any film aficionado. While the material is presented in standard definition, the commentary track featuring George Lucas and Walter Murch is highly informative, dissecting the film's production, themes, and trials. The making-of documentary, "Artifact from the Future," provides an intelligent and comprehensive behind-the-scenes look, while "Master Sessions with Walter Murch" delves into the innovative sound design. The documentary "A Legacy of Filmmakers" offers a captivating history of American Zoetrope, featuring interviews with industry giants. Lucas’s original student film and additional vintage featurettes round out this meticulously curated collection.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: In-depth discussion by George Lucas and Walter Murch.
• Master Sessions with Walter Murch: Thirteen scene-specific sound design featurettes.
• A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope: Documentary on the studio's origins.
• Artifact from the Future: The Making of THX 1138: Retrospective behind-the-scenes featurette.
• Electronic Labyrinth THX 1138 4EB: Lucas's original student film.
• Bald: Vintage featurette on cast head-shaving.
• Theatre of Noise Experience: Isolated music and effects track.
• Trailers: Original 1971 trailer and 2004 re-release promos.

George Lucas’s "THX 1138" stands as a quintessential piece of science fiction, embodying the genre’s core values of experimentation and thought-provoking narrative. Originally released in 1971, the film presents a stark, dystopian future where human emotions are suppressed through mandatory drugs, and citizens are identified by alphanumeric codes instead of names. Robert Duvall delivers a compelling performance as THX 1138, a factory worker who begins to experience forbidden emotions. The plot is driven by his awakening and subsequent rebellion against an oppressive surveillance state. Walter Murch's sound design amplifies the film’s chilling atmosphere, blending mechanical murmurs with eerie radio chatter to create a vibrant yet disquieting auditory landscape.

The Blu-ray release of "THX 1138" features an impressive transfer that captures the film’s intricate visual and auditory nuances. The Director’s Cut includes polished CGI enhancements and a few new sequences, which are largely unobtrusive and integrate seamlessly into the original footage. While purists may debate the necessity of these alterations, they do not detract significantly from the film’s impact. Notable among the changes is an extended sequence featuring an encounter with underground mutants, which adds depth to the narrative without overshadowing its core themes.

Overall, "THX 1138" remains a significant work in Lucas's oeuvre, reflecting his early talents and visionary approach. The film’s narrative, supported by strong performances from Duvall, McOmie, and Donald Pleasence, resonates with contemporary socio-political concerns. Despite debates over the Director’s Cut alterations, the Blu-ray does justice to the film’s artistic integrity and continues to serve as a poignant exploration of individuality versus state control.

"THX 1138", George Lucas's inaugural full-length film, stands as a highly conceptual and compelling piece of science fiction that continues to garner relevance as time advances. This Blu-ray release showcases the film in all its dystopian glory, with a video transfer that, while not without its flaws, remains faithful to Lucas's original vision. The DTS-HD Master Audio track significantly enhances the viewing experience, bringing the stark, industrial soundscape to life with commendable clarity and depth. Though some may lament the inclusion of modern special effects, the film's narrative strength ensures that it endures these changes.

The Blu-ray edition compensates for its minor visual imperfections through an impressive assortment of supplemental materials. With four to five hours of extra content, fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to delve into, from behind-the-scenes insights to comprehensive commentaries. This robust package adds significant value, enriching one's understanding of both the film's production and its thematic underpinnings.

Different films appeal to different people in different ways. THX 1138 will never unite the masses, nor is it likely to leave the same lasting mark as cinema's future dystopia classics. However, it's an intelligent slice of sci-fi in its own right, and a greater testament to Lucas's talent than many of his... let's just say less-than-beloved films. Warner's Blu-ray release isn't perfect either, but that shouldn't dissuade anyone from adding it to their cart. Its video transfer is fit and faithful, its DTS-HD Master Audio track is equally commendable, and its supplemental package will keep fans busy for a good four or five hours. I don't know about you, but I already found a home for THX 1138 in my collection.