Traffic Blu-ray Review

Steven Soderbergh's "Traffic" arrives on Blu-ray with a presentation that is both complex and meticulously crafted, reflecting the director's distinct vision. With the Criterion release granted a 1080p transfer, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and presented in the director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.78:1, the film exhibits an exceptional level of detail and clarity. The high-definition digital transfer, created from a 35mm interpositive, retains the unique filtering and color adjustments integral to Soderbergh's storytelling. Despite these alterations, including the blown-out contrast and edge sharpening reminiscent of 21 Grams, the absence of post-production sharpening is evident, particularly in dimly lit indoor scenes. The release maintains the original color grading and brightness levels, matching those from Universal Studios Digital Services, with improved compression visible in several outdoor sequences featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Technical care extends to the audio aspect, offering both the full 5.1 theatrical soundtrack and a restricted-dynamic-range 2.0 version, both mastered from the original 24-bit print masters. This meticulous attention ensures that the film's auditory landscape matches its visual fidelity. Notably, the English subtitles for Spanish sequences are presented as originally intended in U.S. film prints, preserving the director's vision down to the linguistic details.

The video quality across the film's sprawling narrative—spanning from Mexico's desaturated tones to the cooler tints of Ohio and DC, and Southern California's relative normalcy—reflects deliberate aesthetic choices that align closely with Soderbergh's intent for a gritty tone through elevated grain levels. Despite the intentional aberrations aimed at achieving a specific stylistic effect, some issues like occasional digital noise and traces of DNR distract slightly from an otherwise faithful reproduction of the film's theatrical appearance. This Blu-ray edition of "Traffic," particularly from Criterion, stands as a testament to the intricate balance between directorial intent and high-definition presentation, even when challenged with translating distinct visual styles to home viewing formats.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Traffic" features an audio landscape that, while somewhat constrained by its original mono recording, receives a significant boost through its English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks. This preservation and enhancement of the film's auditory experience have been meticulously overseen by sound editor Larry Blake and mandated by director Steven Soderbergh himself. Although the film primarily operates within a mono soundscape—reflecting Soderbergh’s intention for a raw, authentic auditory experience—the 5.1 track offers moments of breadth, particularly when Cliff Martinez’s ambient soundtrack envelops the viewer, bridging the gap from mono to surround sound seamlessly. The dialogue remains clear and synchronized throughout, without distortion, maintaining its crispness even as it traverses from English to sections of Spanish, underscoring the film's multilayered narrative.

The strategic use of the surround channels becomes more evident with the integration of music, enhancing the overall atmosphere while staying true to the film's minimalist aesthetic. Despite the film’s dialogue and most effects being anchored in mono, creating a forward soundstage, the transition to music around the eight-minute mark reveals a more immersive experience, albeit briefly. It’s worth noting that the deliberate choice to keep the dynamic range limited, per Soderbergh’s direction, aims to underscore the film's realism and raw emotional tone, even though this occasionally leads to moments where louder scenes might seem slightly distorted or 'blown out.' This approach challenges conventional expectations of audio dynamics in film but serves to reinforce "Traffic's" thematic and narrative intentions.

Moreover, the inclusion of both English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks without additional language options reflects the film’s bilingual narrative structure, accommodating both English and Spanish dialogue without compromising on accessibility—aided by optional English SDH subtitles that are mandated to remain on during Spanish sequences by Soderbergh's directive. This unique approach not only respects the film’s audio integrity but also enhances viewer engagement, ensuring a balanced and immersive auditory experience that aligns with the director's vision for a visceral, authentic representation of "Traffic's" complex world.

The Blu-ray extras of "Traffic" offer an insightful look into the filmmaking process, featuring a rich array of commentaries, demonstrations, and deleted scenes that cater to both fans of the film and cinema aficionados interested in the nuts and bolts of movie production. The three separate commentary tracks, including insights from director Steven Soderbergh and writer Stephen Gaghan, composer Cliff Martinez, and a unique blend from producers and consultants, provide varied perspectives on the creation of this complex narrative. The deleted scenes segment is particularly noteworthy for its inclusion of 25 scenes with optional director and writer commentary, shedding light on the difficult decisions made during editing. Demonstrations on film processing and editing offer a deep dive into the post-production process, revealing the technical wizardry behind the movie's distinctive visual style and sound design. Additional footage and trailers serve to enrich the viewer's understanding of the film's context, while a gallery of detector-dog trading cards adds an unexpected yet charming touch to the collection of extras. Maintaining a direct and succinct approach, this package stands out for its comprehensive exploration of "Traffic's" thematic and technical intricacies.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Composer Cliff Martinez
• Commentary by Director Steven Soderbergh and Writer Stephen Gaghan
• Commentary by Producers and Consultants
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary
• Demonstrations: Film Processing
• Demonstrations: Editing
• Demonstrations: Dialogue Editing
• Additional Footage
• Trailers and TV Spots
• Trading Cards
• Booklet featuring "Border Wars" by Manohla Dargis

Steven Soderbergh's "Traffic," a masterful exploration of the drug war's complexities, delivers an immersive narrative that weaves together multiple storylines across various locations, articulately spotlighting a spectrum of individuals caught in the drug trade's expansive web. Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Director (Soderbergh) and Best Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro), this 2000 film stands out not only for its compelling narrative and exceptional ensemble cast but also for its innovative technical execution. Presented on Blu-ray by Criterion, "Traffic" features not just the movie but a host of supplemental materials that enrich the viewing experience, although this review focuses strictly on the film portion.

The movie employs distinct visual styles to differentiate its interlocking stories, using color filters and cinematography to evoke specific atmospheres reflective of each setting—washed-out tones for Mexico's harsh landscapes contrast sharply with the colder, metallic hues of urban America. This technique, inspired by Ken Loach's approach to frame composition and movement, especially during chase sequences, complements the film's thematic depth. Moreover, Cliff Martinez's atmospheric soundtrack further enhances the mood, underpinning the narrative's emotional and moral complexities.

At its core, "Traffic" is a poignant critique of the war on drugs, illustrating the tangled interdependencies between drug producers, traffickers, law enforcers, and consumers. Through its expansive scope that spans from the power corridors of Washington D.C. to the gritty streets of Tijuana, the film offers a detailed portrayal of the drug trade's global implications. By juxtaposing the experiences of its diverse characters—from a newly appointed U.S. drug czar grappling with personal tragedy to a Mexican cop fighting corruption—the film delves into the socio-political factors fueling the drug epidemic. Far from being a mere political statement, "Traffic" resonates through its humanistic lens, presenting a nuanced, thought-provoking exploration of an issue that remains as relevant today as it was upon its release.

Steven Soderbergh's "Traffic," a compelling exploration of the intricate web of the drug war, receives an outstanding Blu-ray presentation from Criterion that captures the gritty essence and complex narrative of the film perfectly. Highlighting the never-ending battle between demand and supply in the drug trade, the movie intricately portrays how education and higher living standards can play pivotal roles in combating these issues. The Blu-ray edition shines not only through its high-quality transfer, which remains true to Soderbergh’s vision by mirroring the film's original cinematic texture, but also through its comprehensive suite of special features that delve into the sociopolitical themes and technical aspects of the movie.

While some may critique "Traffic" for being overly ambitious or pretentious, it undeniably serves as a bold, thought-provoking critique of the drug war, illuminating the vast disparities between the forces of law and order and the drug cartels. The director's unique choice to mix the majority of the dialogue and effects in mono, leaving music as the primary element in surround sound, may puzzle some but ultimately aligns with his thematic intentions. This auditory decision underscores the film's realism and rawness, ensuring that viewers are fully immersed in its stark portrayal of reality. The Blu-ray edition's fidelity to Soderbergh’s original visual and audio design makes it an essential acquisition for aficionados and newcomers alike.

In conclusion, Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Traffic" is a definitive version that should not be overlooked. With its faithful preservation of the film's distinctive look and sound, alongside an impressive array of insightful special features, this edition is a testament to the enduring relevance and impact of Soderbergh's masterpiece on contemporary cinema. It is a highly recommended acquisition for those seeking to explore the depths of the drug war narrative with a blend of cinematic excellence and scholarly interrogation.