The Peacemaker Blu-ray Review

Paramount's Blu-ray transfer of The Peacemaker presents an inconsistent 1080p, AVC-encoded image that oscillates between starkly good and disappointingly subpar. The prominent use of heavy sharpening imparts an artificial digital sheen throughout, with occasional haloing that detracts from the overall viewing experience. While colors including bright reds and vibrant green foliage display accuracy and are not overly saturated, the transfer is marred by source noise and intermittent compression anomalies such as background blocking. The most glaring issue is the presentation of blacks, which appear muddy and overwhelm key foreground details during nighttime sequences, particularly in the film's opening train scene.

The transfer struggles to maintain fine detailing, with some scenes capturing minute textures like grime on piano keys while others fail to resolve intricate details on clothing and faces. This inconsistency often results in a non-cinematic, waxy texture that feels scrubbed and unrealistic, especially noticeable on the primary footage of stars Kidman and Clooney. This artificial look, combined with weak shadow details and flat black levels, means faces and other elements are awkwardly consumed by flat blackness rather than benefiting from depth or definition.

However, certain secondary shots redeem part of the experience through visually stunning vistas, such as helicopters flying over mountainous terrain or Bosnian slums. Notably, the scene featuring Russian covert operatives emerging from darkness with glowing red night visions provides a visually striking moment where the contrast and ominous red hues create a dramatic effect. Despite these moments, the Blu-ray transfer overall falls short, providing an uneven and often disappointing visual experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack of "The Peacemaker" offers a mixed but ultimately acceptable auditory experience. While fundamentally serviceable, it doesn't rise to the echelon of Blu-ray's premier soundtracks. The balance occasionally appears skewed, particularly noticeable in the church scene at the beginning where the sound leans heavily to the left, though whether this is intentional is unclear. The overall mid-centric mix has moments of harshness, lacking the pristine clarity and seamless integration found in the finest soundtracks. Despite these shortcomings, the track provides solid directional effects, with early sequences featuring rumbling trains and dynamic action elements that utilize the soundstage well. Explosions are vividly reproduced, while gunfire, especially a heavy machine gun in Chapter 10, impresses with potent, chest-rattling realism. Dialogue remains crisp and centrally located, ensuring clear communication throughout most of the film.

However, where "The Peacemaker" excels is in its immersive sound effects and Hans Zimmer's robust score. The soundtrack is notably enhanced by Zimmer's powerful compositions which, although reminiscent of "Pirates of the Caribbean," bring a surprising level of flair to the thriller. The music predominantly centers up front but effectively bleeds into rear channels, creating an enveloping auditory landscape. Panning effects are executed with precision; an early train scene vividly illustrates this, with sound traveling from the front speakers to the rear as trains pass by. Explosive sequences are rich with LFE, and action scenes such as car chases come alive with revving engines and shattering glass providing an all-encompassing experience. Dialogue clarity is generally maintained, barring a scene where George Clooney's muted mourning makes understanding difficult. Overall, while not flawless, "The Peacemaker's" audio presentation is compelling and richly detailed, ensuring an engaging experience for listeners.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Peacemaker" are notably sparse and lack depth, which might disappoint consumers expecting a more comprehensive behind-the-scenes collection. The content provided is basic, featuring minimalistic insights into the making of the film. Nevertheless, the existing features present some intriguing glimpses but fall short in variety and substance. In particular, the "Stunt Footage" offers a side-by-side comparison of raw and final scenes, while "From the Cutting Room Floor" merges interview snippets with a few bloopers. Lastly, the inclusion of the theatrical trailer rounds out this modest offering. Given the film's potential for richer bonus content, this selection feels underwhelming.

Extras included in this disc:

Stunt Footage: A look into the stunts of the movie and how they were created compared to how they turned out on screen.

From the Cutting Room Floor: Cast and crew talking in interviews, with some bloopers cut in.

Theatrical Trailer: The theatrical trailer is included.

"The Peacemaker" marks DreamWorks' cinematic debut, helmed by director Mimi Leder. The film features considerable star power with George Clooney and Nicole Kidman in the lead roles, embodying characters enmeshed in a high-stakes race against nuclear terrorism. Despite the derivative narrative—complete with familiar tropes like countdown timers, clichéd villainy, and predictable chase sequences—the film manages to maintain a brisk pace and a continuous thread of suspense. The plot revolves around an American intelligence expert, Dr. Julia Kelly (Kidman), and her military counterpart, Lt. Col. Thomas Devoe (Clooney), navigating international danger to thwart a catastrophe involving stolen nuclear warheads.

Leder's direction is fluid, striving to imbue the film with energy that often compensates for its uninspired screenplay. The opening sequence is particularly jolting—boldly detonating a nuclear bomb within the first 20 minutes—which effectively draws the audience into its narrative fervor. Hans Zimmer’s score further amplifies the tension, complementing the taut editing and systematic build-up facilitated by Leder’s craftsmanship. However, despite these technical merits, "The Peacemaker" seldom transcends its formulaic roots, often feeling like a pastiche of better action films cushioned by its A-list cast.

Clooney and Kidman anchor the film with competent performances despite a lack of palpable chemistry. Clooney exhibits his quintessential charm and swaggering confidence, a foreshadowing of his forthcoming action-hero persona, while Kidman delivers a solid portrayal of an intelligent and capable CIA analyst. Their combined efforts elevate the film slightly above its otherwise middling script. As much as it adheres to genre conventions, "The Peacemaker" remains an engaging watch; its brisk pace and suspenseful elements make it an enjoyable—if not particularly groundbreaking—action thriller that capitalizes on dramatic moments and big-budget polish.

"The Peacemaker" on Blu-ray delivers a typical 90s action/thriller experience. While it might not stand alongside genre titans like "Terminator 2" or "Speed," it serves as a decent midpoint example of the era's action filmmaking. Directed by Mimi Leder, the film struggles with a generic script, offering little room for originality, resulting in a lack of tension and excitement. Despite the commendable performances of Nicole Kidman and George Clooney, the movie's predictable structure undermines its potential.

Paramount's Blu-ray release brings a spotty but serviceable 1080p transfer. While it might not meet the highest standards of modern HD presentations, it remains watchable. The soundtrack stands out as a strong point, offering a decent lossless audio experience that engages viewers in the action sequences. Unfortunately, the release falls short with its minimal special features, leaving enthusiasts hoping for more substantial content.

In conclusion, "The Peacemaker" is an average entry in the action genre. While it may not be remembered as a classic, it provides enough entertainment for a casual viewing. Paramount's Blu-ray offers a mixed bag in terms of video and audio quality, with the latter standing out more favorably. With limited extras, this release is best suited for a rental rather than a permanent addition to your collection.