Martyrs Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Martyrs" showcases a commendable effort in translating the digital shoot to a home video format, maintaining a sharp and detailed visual experience throughout its runtime. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode delivers clarity and precision, capturing the grim aesthetics of the film's diverse environments—from the gloomy depths of the torture chamber to the comforting interiors of the family home, and the expansive outdoor scenes. Notably, the digital capture, despite usually offering a sterile appearance, is enhanced by Sean O'Dea's cinematography which adds an appreciable texture and depth to the image. The presence of vivid details in facial features, clothing, and even the minutest objects within the twisted confines of the narrative space are strikingly evident. Colors remain faithful and lively, particularly in outdoor segments where primaries are bold and energetic, although the palette tends toward more muted tones indoors.

However, it's not without its technical imperfections. Minor issues such as slight banding in some backgrounds, negligible noise levels, and occasional aliasing along sharp metallic edges slightly mar an otherwise stellar transfer. Black levels are, for the most part, deep and pure, providing a solid foundation for the image and flesh tones appear natural barring minor inconsistencies. While contrast is generally well managed, yielding comfortably bright and brilliant whites, there are moments where shadow detail becomes murky or flat, particularly in poorly lit sequences which slightly detracts from visibility.

In terms of depth and dimensionality, the Blu-ray manages to stand out in its portrayal of exterior shots and open environments, although the claustrophobic interior settings don't quite match up. Despite these confines, the transfer does a commendable job at minimizing compression artifacts and maintaining a clean presentation. Overall, while there's room for minor criticism regarding some aspects of its visual presentation, "Martyrs" Blu-ray offers a robust and engaging visual experience that faithfully captures the film's stark contrast between beauty and brutality.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack of "Martyrs" is a meticulously crafted audio experience that excels in immersing the viewer into its disturbing yet captivating world. The soundtrack's strength lies in its dynamic range and clarity, particularly in the handling of its atmospheric and musical elements. Evan Goldman's score is a standout, weaving an eerie, foreboding ambiance that envelops the listener, extending from the front and bleeding into the sides, ensuring engagement throughout the film's runtime. However, the film's audio presentation is not without its flaws; notably, some gunshot sounds, including shotgun and handgun blasts, lack the robustness expected, falling short in delivering the visceral impact that such moments demand.

The audio mix shines in its detailed and precise rendering of dialogue, ensuring that every word is clearly prioritized and centered, contributing to a coherent narrative experience. Additionally, the soundtrack makes effective use of the low-frequency extension, with the subwoofer channel providing ample support in scenes requiring an auditory punch. The bass is well integrated, adding a palpable sense of weight and presence during moments of tension and horror, further elevating the film's immersive quality. Sounds of gore and torture are presented with a disturbingly crisp clarity, enhancing the film's relentless intensity.

Moreover, the surround sound presentation notably adds depth to the film's atmospheric effects, expanding the soundfield with understated yet impactful ambiances and ensuring a creepy factor that significantly contributes to the overall experience. Small atmospherics in the surrounds punctuate the film's more intense sequences effectively, creating a broad and engaging soundstage that complements the on-screen action. Despite a few missed opportunities with specific sound effects, "Martyrs'" audio presentation remains a demo-worthy achievement that showcases the care and attention to detail invested in its sound design, making it an essential aspect of the film's disturbing appeal.

The Blu-ray extra for "Martyrs" provides a singular, though insightful, supplement titled 'Martyrs: A First Look.' This nearly 10-minute featurette, presented in 1080p high definition, offers a concise yet thorough exploration of the movie's narrative depth, thematic elements, and the rigorous physical demands placed on its cast. Through a combination of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew, viewers are given a glimpse into the film's challenging shooting conditions and the unwavering dedication of its team. This featurette serves as a straightforward, no-frills glimpse into the making of "Martyrs," highlighting essential aspects of its production without overwhelming the viewer with unnecessary embellishments.

Extras included in this disc:

• Martyrs: A First Look: Brief exploration of the film's story, themes, and production challenges.

The 2015 adaptation of "Martyrs," a remake of the groundbreaking 2008 French horror film, presents a diluted version of its predecessor's brutal narrative and philosophical depth. Under the direction of Kevin and Michael Goetz, the movie retains the core storyline of torture as a means to unearth profound truths beyond human comprehension. However, it notably reduces the graphic content and emotional resonance that defined the original, opting for a less visceral approach to its exploration of suffering for enlightenment. While trying to maintain the thematic essence of its source material, the film struggles to evoke the same level of discomfort and introspection, presenting a somewhat sanitized depiction of its harrowing themes.

The narrative follows Lucie (Troian Bellisario) and her friend Anna (Bailey Noble) as they confront a mysterious cult led by Eleanor (Kate Burton), which believes in achieving a higher state of being through extreme pain. Despite slight alterations and additions to the plot, including a focus on Lucie's revenge and Anna's subsequent heroism, the remake largely mirrors the original's storyline but lacks its intensity and provocative questioning. The performances, particularly by Bellisario and Noble, deliver moments of anguish but fail to capture the deeper emotional scars experienced by their characters, making the film feel shallow by comparison.

Critics and audiences alike have questioned the necessity of this remake, pointing out its failure to significantly innovate or justify its existence beyond catering to a potentially wider, less discerning audience. While the Goetz brothers exhibit competence in their direction, and the film features competent cinematography and production values, "Martyrs" (2015) ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to delve into the darker, more complex aspects of human pain and existential inquiry. It stands as an example of a remake that, despite its intentions, fails to recapture or augment the impact of its source material, offering little reason for those familiar with the original to revisit these thematic grounds.

The Blu-ray release of the "Martyrs" remake, directed by the Goetz Brothers, offers a divisive experience for fans and newcomers to the franchise alike. This version makes noticeable departures from Pascal Laugier's original 2008 film, most notably in its toned-down approach to violence and rearrangement of key plot elements. While these differences aim to distinguish the remake, they unfortunately dilute the emotional intensity and depth found in the original, resulting in a less compelling narrative. The performances and character development, crucial aspects of the original's success, also suffer in comparison, resulting in a film that is both identifiably similar and significantly less impactful.

Technical aspects of the Blu-ray release, however, stand out positively. The video and audio quality are consistently praised across reviews, indicating that Anchor Bay has delivered a solid home media presentation. Despite this high-quality technical execution, the Blu-ray package is notably lacking in valuable supplemental content. The inclusion of only one special feature, described as "self-serving" and typical, fails to add any meaningful insight or value to the release. This lack of engaging extras leaves much to be desired for both fans of the original film and newcomers looking for a deeper dive into the making and philosophy behind "Martyrs."

In conclusion, while the "Martyrs" remake attempts to carve its own path, it ultimately falls short of recapturing the original's disturbing brilliance and emotional depth. The superior audiovisual quality of the Blu-ray does little to compensate for the film's deficiencies in storytelling, character development, and impactful content. The sparse supplementary material further diminishes the appeal of this release. Potential viewers might be better served by revisiting or discovering Laugier's original work, which remains a superior example of horror cinema's potential to both shock and provoke thought.