The Darkest Hour Blu-ray Review

The 1080p transfer of "The Darkest Hour" presents a mix of strengths and weaknesses. The widescreen 2.4:1 2D and 3D presentations are mostly region-free, offering solid technical specifications. The native 3D filming delivers characters and objects with tangible volume and depth, enhanced by careful framing that maximizes the sense of space. Establishing shots, especially of Moscow, excel with considerable three-dimensionality, while tighter interior settings lend less to the depth effect. Critical moments such as alien landings and underwater scenes are visually compelling, though not without minor drawbacks like banding in underwater sequences or softened elements during CGI-heavy scenes. The high-definition image is notably sharp in well-lit outdoor shots but slightly darker in 3D, which affects clarity in shadow-heavy sequences.

Color balance remains robust, with early scenes displaying vivid neons against the city's nightlife backdrop, though post-invasion segments see a digital grading that mutes the palette. Skin tones generally maintain natural hues against the stylized blue, gray, and black color scheme. Brightness and contrast settings achieve respectable black levels, contributing to a decent shadow detail that enhances image depth. Some video anomalies like aliasing and moiré are minimally present, but color grading is consistent for the most part. In terms of 3D effects, the presentation often falls short of expectations as it misses the immersive "wow" factor seen in exemplary 3D films. While gimmick pop-out effects are scarce, some scenes manage to surprise with subtle negative parallax effects like drifting debris and explosive details.

Overall, "The Darkest Hour" offers a reasonable visual experience that capitalizes on its native 3D production for certain standout moments but doesn't uniformly impress across the board. Without distracting compression artifacts or prevalent edge enhancement, it remains a technically sound but unevenly impressive presentation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track of "The Darkest Hour" on Blu-ray provides a solid, if somewhat inconsistent, auditory experience. Dialogue is consistently clear and precise, emanating naturally from the front channels with refined vocal character and excellent room penetration. The frontal array handles the majority of the sound work with notable separation, though stereo effects are somewhat limited. The surround channels contribute to the immersive experience, particularly during heavy action sequences, gunshots, and underwater submersion scenes, though their primary role often lies in enhancing the musical score.

Dynamic range on this DTS-HD MA track is commendable, providing subtle distinction to low-level sounds and adding gravity to broader sonic events. The unique musical score by Tyler Bates benefits from clean, discrete directionality and establishes a chilling atmosphere with haunting, airy notes that deeply penetrate the soundstage. Special effects, such as debris flying around during action scenes, gunfire, building collapses, and the eerie sound of humans being ripped apart by alien creatures, are delivered with clarity and power. Although the low-end frequencies do not quite reach the depths expected of premium action tracks, particularly during effects like electrical pulses, the bass presence is sufficient to keep the audio experience engaging.

Overall, while "The Darkest Hour" does not reach the pinnacle of exemplary surround soundtracks, it offers a satisfying and immersive auditory experience. The mix adeptly balances various elements—dialogue, music, and effects—into a cohesive whole. Noteworthy moments include tremendously strong sound effects, clean mid-range handling, and intelligent channel separation that convincingly positions audio cues within the space. This soundtrack delivers a respectable performance that capably supports the film's sci-fi action narrative.

The extras on the Blu-ray for "The Darkest Hour" provide a moderate range of content, focusing on the filmmaking process and extending the narrative universe. The Audio Commentary by director Chris Gorak delves into various production aspects such as shooting in Moscow, 3D challenges, visual effects, and soundtrack development. Despite some silent gaps, it offers valuable insights. The short film Survivors is an engaging addition set in the same universe, though opinions differ on its execution quality. The Darkest Hour: Visualizing an Invasion featurette offers a detailed exploration of the special effects creation process, making it a significant highlight. Additionally, there are five deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary, providing brief yet interesting character moments that supplement the main storyline.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Chris Gorak discusses various production aspects.
• Survivors: An 8-minute short film expanding the movie's universe.
• The Darkest Hour: Visualizing an Invasion: A 12-minute featurette on visual effects.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Five scenes with optional director commentary.

"The Darkest Hour" endeavours to set its alien invasion narrative apart by situating it in the urban expanse of Moscow. The film follows Emile Hirsch, Max Minghella, Olivia Thirlby, and Rachael Taylor as they navigate a quintessentially post-apocalyptic environment after an invisible, insidious extraterrestrial force descends on Earth. Despite the intriguing setting and initial setup, the execution leaves much to be desired. The characters are arguably paper-thin and stereotypically conceived, violating the fundamental narrative principle where viewers should care about the protagonists. Even seasoned actors like Hirsch cannot salvage the uninspired script and mediocre dialogue. The plot, which revolves around the invaders' quest for Earth's resources, lacks inventiveness and falls into the realm of cliché, mirroring numerous past sci-fi endeavors.

From a technical standpoint, "The Darkest Hour" provides an adequate yet unimpressive audiovisual experience. While the Blu-ray offers clean and clear visuals with satisfactory special effects, it does not leverage the potential of its native 3D as effectively as one might hope. The sound design follows suit—competent but lackluster and missing the immersive quality that would elevate the tension during pivotal scenes. Compounding these shortcomings are woefully inadequate extras compared to its US release, featuring only basic inclusions on an accompanying DVD, thus offering little incentive for collectors or enthusiasts.

Director Chris Gorak's foray into the realms of sci-fi thriller fails to carve out a distinct identity amidst its genre peers. The film’s concept of invisible orbs holds potential, especially in its early stages. However, coupled with a subpar script by Jon Spaihts and others, it descends into predictability as soon as burgeoning intrigue wanes. Gorak’s efforts, underscored by historical references to acclaimed directors he collaborated with, like Timur Bekmambetov, are visible in its polished visual allure but ultimately fall short of producing an engaging and memorable cinematic experience. In sum, "The Darkest Hour" straddles a precarious line between competent execution and missed opportunity, failing to reach the prowess of notable sci-fi classics.

"The Darkest Hour" on Blu-ray delivers a decent experience, albeit with notable shortcomings. The film itself offers basic, mindless entertainment with slick production values and occasional visual flair but is hindered by dull characters and a repetitive story structure. This prevents the movie from rising above mediocrity, as it fails to engage viewers on a deeper level. The plot, while initially intriguing, devolves into a typical B-quality sci-fi disaster thriller, characteristic of Syfy Channel offerings.

Despite its narrative flaws, Summit Entertainment's Blu-ray release offers outstanding audio quality and mid-level 3D video, elevating the overall viewing experience. The 3D transfer is commendable, although not free from minor issues. The sound design is highly enjoyable, making the action sequences more immersive. However, the package is let down by a weak assortment of supplements that do little to enhance the value of the release.

In conclusion, "The Darkest Hour" 3D Blu-ray is best suited for those in search of a casual viewing experience without high expectations. Its technical merits in audio and video make it a viable option for a rainy day rental but fail to make it memorable. While it does not ascend to the heights of sci-fi greatness, it provides an adequate level of mindless entertainment if approached with the right expectations.