Death Wish Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Death Wish" is a commendable showcase of modern digital cinematography. Shot with the Arri Alexa XT and assumedly transferred to a 2K digital intermediate, the film demonstrates excellent sharpness and detail, adhering closely to the aesthetic expectations for a high-definition release. Despite the absence of a 4K UHD version, this 1080p AVC-encoded disc provides clarity across various settings, from the well-lit interiors of hospitals to the dark Chicago streets. The detailed textures of faces and clothing, such as pores and wrinkles on Bruce Willis, are notably crisp. The 2.40:1 aspect ratio further emphasizes the immersive nature of its visuals.

Color grading is dynamic and fitting for the film's theme, with an effective range from vivid primaries to tonally neutral shades that articulate the film’s creative boundaries. Notably, the lighting and color management provide a rich palette without sacrificing fidelity, creating stark contrasts between various environments, such as Kersey's hospital worksites versus the grimy locations associated with his vengeance quest. Blacks are deep and contrast is slightly boosted, offering a visually dynamic aesthetic that maintains detail integrity without significant crushing. While low-light scenes occasionally soften, this does not detract from the overall visual experience.

Artifactual issues are minimal, with only mild banding in the darkest scenes. Overall, MGM's Blu-ray offers a high average bitrate presentation, ensuring a pristine picture free from noise or other common video-related artifacts. The imagery successfully captures the gritty ambiance intended by cinematographer Rogier Stoffers, reminiscent of film noir influences without overstepping into cliché territory. Despite minor faults in certain scenes, such as slight haziness during the club shootout, this Blu-ray disc offers viewers a sharp, detailed and engaging visual presentation that complements the film's intense narrative structure.

The audio presentation on the Blu-Ray release of "Death Wish" delivers a technically proficient DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, standing out particularly during action sequences. The soundtrack handles gunfire and the sounds of violence with notable dynamic energy, offering a robust and articulated auditory experience. While the gunshots are not exaggerated or overly emphasized, they resonate with solid LFE support, complementing the film’s intense moments. Despite its action-genre roots, the mix maintains a conservative profile initially, gradually incorporating more surround detail and bass as the narrative progresses.

Dialogue is consistently clear and sharply rendered, reflecting a precise balance and clarity expected from modern audio standards. The mix also skillfully creates immersive environments. Ambient sounds—like those found at Paul Kersey’s hospital or Chicago's urban landscape—are executed with commendable spatial presence, deploying background chatter and machine alerts effectively to envelop the listener. This broad dynamic range brings scenes to life beyond what was conceivable in the 1974 original.

Complementing the action, Ludwig Göransson’s musical score transitions seamlessly between suspense and emotional depth, enhancing both kinetic and contemplative sequences without overshadowing dialogue or effects. However, some scenes reliant on dialogue or softer interactions appear front-heavy and could benefit from more enveloping directionality. Nevertheless, for high-energy scenes, the audio track remains engaging and immersive, making it a compelling component of the film's Blu-Ray presentation.

The Blu-ray of "Death Wish" offers a robust array of bonus features, appealing to both film enthusiasts and fans of the remake. The audio commentary by Eli Roth and Roger Birnbaum is particularly engaging, as Roth enthusiastically shares insights on nearly every scene, discussing locations, performances, and production intricacies. The deleted scenes, while not groundbreaking, provide additional context with optional commentary explaining their exclusion for pacing reasons. The extended scenes from "Mancow Morning Show" and "Sway in the Morning" offer a more detailed look at segments featured in the film. "Vengeance and Vision: Directing Death Wish" provides a deeper dive into Roth's motivations and thought process, enhanced by contributions from Bruce Willis and producer Birnbaum. The standout extra is the "Grindhouse Trailer," which effectively captures the film's essence with its stylistic and engaging presentation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Eli Roth & Roger Birnbaum discuss film details extensively.
• Deleted scenes with optional commentary: Additional scenes cut for pacing.
• Mancow Morning Show Extended Scenes: Extended content from the radio show.
• Sway in the Morning Extended Scene: More extended segments from this show.
• Vengeance and Vision: Directing Death Wish: Insightful discussions with Roth and others.
• Grindhouse Trailer: A creatively styled promotional trailer.

The 2018 "Death Wish" remake, directed by Eli Roth and starring Bruce Willis, attempts to revive the classic Charles Bronson vigilante narrative against a modern backdrop. This adaptation shifts the action to the crime-heavy streets of Chicago and changes the protagonist, Paul Kersey, from an architect to a trauma surgeon. The premise remains familiar: following a brutal home invasion that leaves his wife dead and daughter in a coma, Kersey takes justice into his own hands. Willis delivers a mixed performance; at times engaging, reflecting Roth’s signature dark tone, yet occasionally marred by a lack of enthusiasm characteristic of some of his recent roles.

Despite staying true to some original scenes while injecting Roth's distinct brutal flair, the film diverges by exploring firearm nuances with unexpected accuracy. However, this attention to detail doesn't compensate for the disjointed narrative pacing and the absence of a nuanced moral center. Unlike the gritty realism of its progenitor, Roth’s version fills its runtime with graphic violence and gore that borders on theatrical excess, creating a vigilante story that lacks depth and social commentary relevant to today's issues.

Critiques predominantly focus on the film's ambiguous tone amidst its depiction of vigilante justice. While some appreciate its escapist action flick roots reminiscent of 70s and 80s cinema, others criticize its failure to align with contemporary socio-political dialogues on vigilantism and gun violence. The narrative does include thoughtful performances, notably from Vincent D’Onofrio as Kersey's brother, offering some emotional grounding amidst a sea of visceral imagery. Nonetheless, "Death Wish" remains a straightforward reimagining that may find its audience among fans of raw action but fails to elevate the discussion or match the cultural tension captured by Bronson's original role.

The 2018 remake of "Death Wish," directed by Eli Roth and starring Bruce Willis, is a mixed bag of competent execution and redundant storytelling. While it fails to capture the heartfelt intensity of Charles Bronson's original, Willis manages to deliver a solid performance, injecting the film with a degree of engagement absent in recent years. The film is engineered as a straightforward action flick, lacking in emotional depth but fulfilling its basic premise for fans of mindless entertainment. Although Willis appears less than enthusiastic at times, his portrayal carries enough weight to maintain interest.

Fox/MGM's Blu-ray release offers an impressive technical presentation, characterized by its 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio and engaging DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track. The package is enhanced by an array of bonus features more substantial than typical offerings in today’s market. These include an enthusiastic commentary by Eli Roth, deleted and extended scenes, as well as insightful behind-the-scenes interviews, and a set of sneak peeks paired with a DVD copy. Despite the absence of a 4K UHD edition, the Blu-ray maintains technical proficiency, ensuring viewers receive an adequate audio-visual experience.

In conclusion, "Death Wish" is far from groundbreaking, missing originality and depth that might engage a discerning audience. However, it remains worth a rental for action enthusiasts or those who can appreciate its exploitation allure. The respectful release quality and ample extras make it a worthwhile addition for collectors or genre aficionados willing to overlook its shortcomings. It may not warrant high praise, but for those seeking casual entertainment, “Death Wish” on Blu-ray provides an experience both visceral and engaging enough to consider.