The Girl in the Spider's Web Blu-ray Review

Sony's 1080p Blu-ray presentation of "The Girl in the Spider's Web" demonstrates a near-perfect execution for the format, despite its primarily dark tonal palette. The stark hues of blue, gray, and black dominate the visual landscape, handled with precision and respect for the source material. Highlights such as Foy's striking blue eyes and the vibrant pink ball cap and suitcase in a critical airport scene are rendered with impressive clarity and impact. Close-ups reveal exceptional detail, from finely textured skin to intricately defined clothing. Black levels are consistent and well-balanced, essential for the film's dark moody aesthetic, with no notable source or encoding artifacts.

The Blu-ray’s 2.39:1 1080p transfer, derived from a 4K Digital Intermediate, excels in clarity and detail, showcasing every location with meticulous attention to detail that enhances the film’s ominous atmosphere. This high level of detail extends to facial features, makeup, and set design, all captured with remarkable clarity. The presentation maintains deep inky blacks and crisp whites without falling into crush or blooming issues. Although the color palette is subdued, favoring darker shades and olive-toned greens, select primary colors—particularly red—are rendered strikingly when they appear. The video is free from noise and banding, contributing to a superb visual experience.

This Blu-ray release handles the foreboding and dread-laden art direction exceptionally well, preserving both subtle nuances and grand contrasts between light and dark. The film's various textured locations, from rough-edged interiors to sleek modern environments, are portrayed with vivid environmental clarity. Skin tones maintain the filmmaker's vision, even if they occasionally appear pasty. Overall, this Blu-ray is an exemplary presentation that leaves little room for improvement outside of a potential HDR 4K UHD release.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for "The Girl in the Spider's Web" is a technical achievement that skillfully blends both spectacular and subtle audio elements to create an immersive soundscape. The mix excels in presenting atmospheric nuances as much as it does the high-octane action sequences, effortlessly drawing the listener into diverse environments such as the bustling NSA offices and a notably detailed airport scene. The latter is particularly enhanced by realistic alarms and PA announcements, creating a near-overhead audio experience. The musical score, masterfully composed by Roque Baños, integrates low LFE tones that add depth and punch to the overall mix.

Gunfire and explosions are rendered with impressive clarity and depth, especially a sequence involving a large-caliber sniper rifle in the film's climax and an impactful explosion in chapter four. The track maintains excellent balance throughout, seamlessly blending light and heavy components, from basic ambient sounds to more aggressive audio elements. Dialogue is crystal clear, even amidst thick accents, and positional audio cues are both natural and precise, ensuring that every line is intelligible and well-prioritized. Although a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X track could potentially elevate the experience further, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix provides a robust and satisfying auditory experience.

Sound effects play a vital role in maintaining the film's tension, notably in quieter moments like the opening chess game scene—the subtle audio cues significantly boost the overall atmospheric tension. The subwoofer's support for both music and effects is appropriately assertive, enhancing both the soundtrack and key audio events without overshadowing dialogue or less intense moments. Overall, this DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix performs admirably, delivering a rich, engaging auditory experience that supports the film's varied sound requirements effectively.

The Blu-ray release of "The Girl in the Spider's Web" provides substantial additional content that supplements the main feature effectively. The audio commentary by Director Fede Alvarez and Screenwriter Jay Basu is particularly insightful, offering an in-depth look at their creative decisions throughout the film. The deleted scenes, though not essential, offer alternative perspectives that enhance the viewer's understanding. Claire Foy's transformation into Lisbeth Salander is explored thoroughly, showcasing her preparation and dedication to the role. The making-of featurette, although somewhat generic, provides a solid overview of production elements such as setting, direction, and visual tone. The stunt featurette is brief but informative. Together, these extras provide a well-rounded exploration of the film's construction.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: Director Fede Alvarez and Screenwriter Jay Basu discuss the film in detail. Deleted Scenes: Optional commentary by Director Fede Alvarez and Screenwriter Jay Basu. Claire Foy: Becoming Lisbeth: Exploration of Foy's preparation for the role. All About the Stunts: Overview of major stunts in the film. Creating the World: The Making-Of: Insight into production elements and direction. Secrets of the Salander Sisters: Look at critical characters and actors.

"The Girl in the Spider's Web," directed by Fede Alvarez, delves into the world of Stieg Larsson's renowned Millennium series, although it sources its narrative from David Lagercrantz's follow-up novels. Starring Claire Foy as Lisbeth Salander, the film sets up a dark thriller backdrop but ultimately relies heavily on predictable plot mechanisms. Departing from Fincher's richly layered 2011 adaptation, this reboot is characterized by atmospheric tension and Foy’s gritty performance, though it struggles to offer substantial character depth or innovative storytelling. The atmosphere is rich, the performances strong, yet the movie feels more like an exercise in stylistic execution rather than boundary-pushing narrative exploration.

In this iteration, Salander targets abusive figures while encountering dangerously high-stakes drama after acquiring Firefall, a powerful software tool developed by programmer Frans Balder (Stephen Merchant), capable of controlling global nuclear weapons. With evil factions closing in and only Balder’s prodigiously talented son August (Christopher Convery) able to unlock the program's protection, the stakes are high. The movie touches upon Salander’s troubled past to craft a narrative that, while competently executed, often leans into formulaic thriller tropes, rather than breaking new ground. The film is competently mechanized, managing a few stand-out action sequences and a sleek finale but failing to maintain compelling tension throughout.

Claire Foy’s portrayal of Salander is noteworthy, providing a stark shift from her previous roles. While the film’s production opted for a softened tone, making it more accessible, this pivot dilutes the raw potential rooted in Salander’s character. Alvarez struggles to breathe his natural cinematic darkness into this endeavor fully, leaving Salander’s depth underexplored and the narrative feeling more like a routine spy-thriller. If viewed through the lens of pure entertainment, "The Girl in the Spider's Web" is engaging; however, it lacks the gripping profundity and thematic richness that fans of the Millennium series might yearn for.

Claire Foy's performance stands out as the highlight of "The Girl in the Spider's Web." Foy's ability to transform from her regal demeanor in "The Crown" to the dark, complex persona of Lisbeth Salander is a testament to her versatile talent. Director Fede Alvarez crafts the film with a visually appealing style and maintains a competent execution of action scenes. However, despite these strengths, the film suffers from a lack of dramatic depth and narrative creativity, leaning more towards a super-spy action movie rather than the darker, more personal thriller fans might expect.

Technically, Sony's Blu-ray release of "The Girl in the Spider's Web" impresses with a stunning 1080p video transfer and a robust audio mix that enhances the viewing experience. The inclusion of a good selection of bonus features adds value to the package. Nevertheless, some fans may find the absence of a 4K UHD Blu-ray release for the North American market disappointing. This limitation may push enthusiasts toward digital purchases or imports for an enhanced viewing experience.

In conclusion, "The Girl in the Spider's Web" is a technically proficient Blu-ray release that is worth a look, especially for Claire Foy's compelling performance. While the film itself may not reach the narrative heights or emotional depths of its predecessors, it remains entertaining in a pulpy sense. Fans of the series and newcomers alike can appreciate the high-quality audio-visual presentation offered by this Blu-ray release.