Vengeance Blu-ray Review

Johnnie To’s "Vengeance" is presented on Blu-ray with a 1080p resolution, encoded using the AVC codec and available in two different aspect ratios (2.40:1 or 2.36:1 depending on the distributor). The video transfer exhibits similarities to other works by the same director of photography, particularly in its penchant for haziness and atmospheric effects such as gunsmoke, which can affect sharpness. While generally maintaining focus, some scenes appear slightly softer due to low light or camera movements. The contrast fluctuates, yet the color palette is robust, vividly bringing out primaries like neon signs and blood amidst more muted tones.

Despite some occasional softness and mild noise issues, particularly in nighttime scenes, the clarity remains satisfactory. Blacks could be deeper and occasionally suffer from crushing and blocking, but decent shadow detail helps mitigate this flaw. Close-up shots are notably impressive, capturing intricate facial details and textures well. The unique color scheme of warm yellow, green, orange, and blue contributes to both the visual appeal and the minor softness observed in some scenes. Minimal dirt and scratches make an appearance, contributing to a relatively clean transfer.

In summary, while "Vengeance" may not set a new benchmark for Blu-ray transfers, it provides an adequate and often delightful visual experience for fans of Johnnie To’s style. Technical aspects are well-handled, highlighting the film's inventive cinematography and dynamic gunfights without overwhelming the viewer. The disc is region-locked to A, ensuring that appropriate playback equipment is required.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray disc of "Vengeance" offers three distinct sound options: English Dolby TrueHD 7.1, English Dolby Digital 5.1, and Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1. While the inclusion of an untampered English TrueHD track that incorporates English, French, and Cantonese is commendable, it comes with the minor drawback of requiring subtitles even for familiar languages. This minor inconvenience, however, does little to detract from the overall package when considered comprehensively. For this review, we concentrated predominantly on the English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track.

Despite high expectations due to the robust performance of Johnnie To’s prior works, there is a palpable sense of missed potential in the 7.1 track. The rear channel activity is underutilized, which is particularly noticeable during the film’s numerous hectic moments and intense shootouts. While the front channels provide a solid, consistent performance, they fail to deliver the anticipated depth and immersion that a 7.1 setup should offer. The LFE channel does provide tight booms and firecracker-like pops during gunfights, but these lack the thunderous impact needed to enhance the viewer’s experience.

When comparing to previous works such as "Exiled," the score in "Vengeance" does not achieve the same level of evocative resonance. High frequencies feel too light while low frequencies diffuse quickly, detracting from the overall clarity. Volume adjustments help mitigate some issues but cannot entirely compensate for the inconsistent audio experience. Positively, dialogue clarity remains strong, with crisp and easily understandable speech throughout, free from any disruptive pops or hisses. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 track, on the other hand, is serviceable but notably underwhelming in dynamic range when compared to its TrueHD counterpart. Overall, while there are solid elements within these audio tracks, they collectively fall short of delivering a truly immersive experience.

The Blu Ray extras for "Vengeance" present a comprehensive package that enhances the overall viewing experience. A key highlight includes an extensive making-of featurette that delves deep into the film's production, providing valuable insights from cast and crew. Notably, the trailers section stands out with a punchier audio quality, surprisingly superior to the main feature's soundtrack. The inclusion of multiple language subtitles for the trailer is a thoughtful touch for international viewers. Additionally, the commentary tracks and behind-the-scenes content are rich with technical details and creative discussions that will particularly appeal to enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers. This curated selection of extras underscores the artistic and technical efforts poured into the film, making it a must-watch for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for "Vengeance" with optional English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese subtitles. Making-of Featurette: An in-depth look at the film's production. Commentary Tracks: Rich discussions with cast and crew. Behind-the-Scenes Content: Insights into the creative process.

"Vengeance," directed by Johnnie To, showcases a blend of style and a touch of noir, adhering to the adage of “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.” The film revolves around Francis Costello (Johnny Hallyday), an aging French chef seeking vengeance in Macau after his daughter and her family are brutally attacked. Costello enlists the help of three hitmen—Kwai (Anthony Wong), Chu (Lam Ka Tung), and Fat Lok (Suet Lam)—offering them his restaurant and home in Paris in exchange for their assistance. This collaboration sets the stage for a series of intricately orchestrated events reminiscent of Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Samourai," characterized by ritualistic violence and a contemplative atmosphere.

Vengeance is typical of To’s oeuvre: moody, slow-paced, darkly humorous, and meticulously stylized. The film's strength lies in its visual composition, with cinematographers Cheng Siu-keung and To Hung Mo delivering impressive panoramic vistas and elaborate shootouts. Yet, while the film excels in visual storytelling, critics argue that it falters in its execution of a Memento-esque narrative twist—a struggle for memory that feels more disjointed than compelling. Despite this, scenes brimming with tension and a palpable sense of style keep the viewer engaged.

Though not universally acclaimed, "Vengeance" made its mark, securing a nomination for the Palme d'Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film may not be To’s most original work, but its engrossing moments and atmospheric depth offer a compelling experience for fans of noir-inspired cinema.

Review 1: The Blu-ray presentation of “Vengeance” offers a solid, though not spectacular, experience. Visually, the transfer is crisp and detailed, capturing the film's dark and moody aesthetic effectively. The color reproduction is accurate, with deep blacks that suit the film's tone. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track provides an immersive sound experience, with clear dialogue and robust action sequences.

Review 2: While the Blu-ray disc of “Vengeance” boasts impressive picture quality, it falls short in the special features department. The video transfer is pristine, maintaining the high contrast and detailed shadows unique to Johnnie To’s directorial style. The audio mix is notable for its clarity and depth, perfectly complementing the film's dynamic action scenes. However, the lack of substantial extras is disappointing for fans.

Review 3: “Vengeance” on Blu-ray delivers high-definition brilliance that does justice to Johnnie To’s visual storytelling. The meticulous restoration work is evident, with sharp image quality and vibrant colors. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is powerful, ensuring that every gunshot and whispered dialogue is delivered with precision. However, the release is somewhat lacking in bonus content, which might leave some collectors wanting more.

Review 4: The Blu-ray release of “Vengeance” provides a visually stunning experience that highlights Johnnie To’s direction. The audio quality is equally impressive, using the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track to great effect. The downside is the barebones nature of the disc in terms of extras. Despite this, the presentation quality is strong enough to recommend it to fans and newcomers alike.

The Blu-ray release of Johnnie To's "Vengeance" is technically proficient, offering a solid balance of picture and sound quality that enhances the viewing experience. The video transfer is clean and sharp, capturing the film’s dark aesthetic with precision. The detailed shadows and accurate color reproduction are notable highlights, serving to underline the director's moody visual style. Accompanying this is a robust 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that elevates every action scene and line of dialogue with commendable clarity and depth.

Despite its strong technical presentation, the disc notably lacks supplementary materials, which might be a letdown for avid collectors and aficionados hoping for behind-the-scenes insights or director interviews. That said, the pristine image quality and powerful audio mix ensure the essential elements are delivered adeptly, capturing the essence of Johnnie To’s cinematographic vision.

The disc is a little bewildering, given the excellent sound mix given to us by Mega Star with Exiled, but at least the visual presentation shows no obvious flaws that will detract from your viewing experience. A few extras would have been nice; however, I'm sure the lure of completing a Johnnie To Blu-ray collection will be too great to put some off getting this title even in an imperfect form, and you can count me amongst them. There is definitely more style than substance in Johnnie To's Vengeance, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. So long as you know what not to expect from this film, I believe you would enjoy it. RECOMMENDED.