Aftermath Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate presents "Aftermath" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The digital photography by Pieter Vermeer employs a predominantly cool, wintry palette, resulting in a somber and somewhat desaturated visual tone. This intentional choice emphasizes the bleak emotional landscape of the narrative but does lead to a certain flatness in many scenes. Wide angle shots, such as those featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger at the bus stop, exhibit some softness, while close-ups and mid-level shots reveal impressive fine detail, showcasing facial features and clothing textures distinctly. Black levels are strong and stable, though not exceedingly dynamic, with minimal occurrences of banding.

The overall presentation refrains from delivering high-gloss, razor-sharp imagery but remains faithful to the film’s artistic intentions. The contrast is well-maintained, and primary colors, although subdued, appear satisfactorily. Complexions are lifelike with textural descriptiveness, though some variance is observed among the cast. Despite the underlying soft elements in the image, detail retrieval is generally excellent in close-up scenes under normal lighting conditions. The use of lens flares is frequent and somewhat distracting, which may detract from the viewing experience for some. Nonetheless, the transfer avoids any significant video anomalies or compression-related artifacts, ensuring a pristine quality encode throughout.

Vermeer’s cinematography imbues "Aftermath" with a distinct wintry ambiance, accentuated by cool tones and whites that contribute to a somewhat washed-out look. Certain scenes, especially those with intensified brightness like the crash site exploration sequence, mitigate detail levels due to the combination of heightened brightness and widespread whiteness. Conversely, extreme close-ups offer exceptional fine detail. Despite minor issues with lens flares and slight noise in dimly lit shots, Lionsgate’s high-quality transfer effectively supports the film’s visual storytelling without notable image instability or compression issues.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "Aftermath" delivers a competent and workmanlike experience. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-articulated, typically front and center, ensuring that viewers won’t miss any crucial lines. Ambient environmental noises subtly surround the viewer, with good directionality in the placement of dialogue. The film doesn’t make extensive use of surround sound, aligning with its atmospheric rather than immersive intent. The mix effectively positions sounds within the acoustic environment, providing a faithful representation of varying ambient environments.

Low Frequency Effects (LFE) are well-deployed, adding desirable weight to sound effects and delivering a satisfying auditory experience. Though the movie lacks powerful immersive sequences, such as a depicted plane crash, the mix utilizes LFE primarily through the musical score by Mark D. Todd to invoke emotions of sadness and dread. This approach adds depth to the film's tone, without any notable technical issues like dropouts or damage.

Overall, despite being unshowy and lacking in aggressive surround activity, "Aftermath's" audio presentation does its job effectively. The soundtrack is mixed well, with no interference from the music overpowering dialogues. It's a decent yet unspectacular track that serves the film’s narrative needs adequately, complete with English, English SDH, and Spanish subtitles to cater to a broad audience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Aftermath" provide fans and cinephiles with a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience. Notably, the Audio Commentary with Director Elliott Lester and Producer Eric Watson stands out, offering a blend of personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights into which parts of the movie are drawn from real life versus fiction. Their engaging dialogue captures the nuances of their experiences on set, particularly their interactions with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Interviews with Director Elliott Lester and Director of Photography Pieter Vermeer offer concise yet informative perspectives on their respective roles, enhanced by interspersed movie clips. However, the featurette is best left until after viewing the film due to its spoiler-laden content. Additionally, the original theatrical trailer provides a succinct snapshot of the film's tone and storyline.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Elliott Lester and Producer Eric Watson: Insightful commentary mixing production stories with technical insights.
• Interviews with Director Elliott Lester and Director of Photography Pieter Vermeer: Featurette discussing their work, intercut with film clips.
• Aftermath Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for the movie.

"Aftermath" is a film based on the true events of the 2002 Überlingen midair collision, adapted into a dramatic narrative centered in the U.S. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Roman Melnik, a construction worker whose wife and pregnant daughter perish in the air tragedy. This brings a notable departure from his typical action roles, showcasing a softer, more vulnerable side.

The story unfolds as Roman prepares to meet his family at the airport, only to receive devastating news of the collision. The narrative parallelly tracks air traffic controller Jake Bonanos (Scoot McNairy), whose momentary lapse leads to the catastrophic accident. The film effectively leverages the psychological framework of grief, portraying Roman's deep-seated and palpable anger and Jake’s overwhelming guilt and depression. Director Elliott Lester offers a meticulously structured yet emotionally compelling plot, which initially immerses viewers in both characters' trauma and sorrow.

Despite its powerful character study and well-regarded performances, "Aftermath" falters in its final act. The sudden narrative shifts and rushed resolutions undermine its dramatic impact. While Schwarzenegger impresses with his restrained portrayal of grief, and McNairy adeptly conveys a man broken by guilt, the screenplay stumbles towards an overly contrived conclusion. Still, it's a fascinating examination of human sorrow and regret, making it an engaging watch despite its narrative shortcomings.

"Aftermath" emerges as a fairly solid drama, hinging on real-life events and delivering a narrative that's both captivating and somber. Arnold Schwarzenegger takes a noticeable turn from his action-hero persona, delivering a performance filled with surprising depth and emotional weight. The story, while gripping, occasionally borders on the melodramatic, particularly in its final act, which may feel a touch contrived to some viewers. However, the overall passion and commitment to the source material by the cast and crew cannot be overlooked.

Lionsgate provides commendable technical specifications for the Blu-ray release, highlighting an aspect ratio of 2.39:1 AVC and an effective DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track, enhancing the viewing experience substantially. The film is well-presented in high-definition with a runtime of 95 minutes. Additional offerings include a couple of special features, notably an insightful and revealing commentary track that adds significant value for any serious cinema enthusiast.

In conclusion, "Aftermath" struggles slightly in its concluding act but still presents an engaging narrative underpinned by strong performances, especially from Schwarzenegger. With solid technical merits backing the Blu-ray release, this movie is a worthy rental for those intrigued by its premise. Despite its flaws, "Aftermath" provides enough entertainment value to merit a recommendation.