Rounders Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Rounders" delivers an exemplary visual presentation with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The film's inherent slick visuals and vibrant color palette shine through, offering exceptional clarity and sharpness. Black levels are consistently inky and detailed, which enhances nighttime scenes and darker interiors by revealing considerable shadow detail. The transfer exhibits minimal aliasing, with no significant signs of compression or tinkering, ensuring a seamless viewing experience.

Detail is superb, highlighting the meticulous textures in various settings, from the rough surfaces of poker clubs to the intricate strands of John Malkovich's beard. This fine detail extends to the sharp and richly saturated colors that emphasize yellows and reds, reinforcing the film's warm and seductive visual style. The source print's pristine condition, with its thin, natural layer of grain, contributes to an impressive sense of depth and dimensionality within the image.

Overall, "Rounders" on Blu-ray provides an authentic and highly satisfying film-like experience, with vivid colors and sharp clarity that will delight fans. The combination of bold and rich colors with strong contrast levels ensures that the film's stylized yet natural visuals are presented flawlessly, earning this transfer high marks for its technical excellence and visual appeal.

The Blu-Ray release of "Rounders" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that impresses with its clean and engaging presentation. This sound mix is well-suited for a film that focuses on dialogue-heavy scenes and the nuances of poker games. Dialogue clarity is a standout feature, with exchanges coming through crisp and clean, except for some instances with John Malkovich's character where speech can be hard to discern. Directionality and surround use are intelligently employed, leveraging New York's ambient sounds and the distinct noises of card games to create a pleasingly immersive experience without being overwhelming.

Surround channels are used to good effect, contributing ambient environmental sounds that enhance the immersive atmosphere. During scenes in poker halls, the audio mix captures the layering of crowd chatter, the sharp snaps of cards, and the clinking of poker chips with artful precision. Though dynamic range is not particularly extensive, the mix does have some welcomed bass impact and nuanced fidelity that elevate the more dramatic moments within the film. This well-balanced audio presentation ensures that dialogue remains at the forefront, never getting drowned out by other elements in the soundscape.

While this audio presentation may not be as bombastic or dynamically varied as some action-packed films, it enriches "Rounders" with a subtle but effective sound field. The careful handling of balance among dialogue, effects, ambiance, and music cues results in a well-rounded auditory experience that complements the video quality excellently. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track may appear to be overkill for this genre but proves to be an asset in delivering a technically proficient and enjoyable experience to its audience.

The special features on the Blu-Ray release of "Rounders" present a mixed but generally engaging assortment of content. The two audio commentaries add value for different audiences: the track featuring Director John Dahl, Screenwriters David Levien and Brian Koppelman, and Actor Edward Norton offers an informative deep dive into the film's development, locations, and stylistic decisions. Meanwhile, the commentary with professional poker players Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, Chris Moneymaker, and Chris Jesus Ferguson is more casual and lacks depth, focusing on poker strategies and personal anecdotes. The behind-the-scenes and professional poker segments are brief but provide interesting insights into both film production and poker culture. Champion Poker Tips, while useful, suffer from a cumbersome navigation setup.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary with Director John Dahl, Screenwriters David Levien and Brian Koppelman, and Actor Edward Norton: Informative discussion on the film’s background and production.

Audio Commentary with Professional Poker Players: Casual analysis of poker strategies with some gaps in conversation.

Behind-the-Scenes Special: Quick promotional look at the film with interviews and on-set footage.

Inside Professional Poker: Insight into the world of professional poker with interviews and actor preparation for roles.

Champion Poker Tips: Brief tips from professional players organized in a tedious format lacking a “Play All” option.

"Rounders," featuring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, provides an exhilarating dive into the underground world of poker. The film centers on Mike McDermott (Damon), a law student with an unparalleled poker knack, and his tumultuous return to high-stakes gambling when his childhood friend Worm (Norton) is released from prison. What sets "Rounders" apart is its deft portrayal of the adrenaline-filled lifestyle that pulls Mike back into the game, juxtaposed with the moral quandaries that he faces, particularly his unwavering loyalty to Worm, whose unchecked gambling debts pose grave dangers. Damon's natural charisma shines through, delivering an authentic portrayal of a man torn between his aspirations for a stable life and his innate compulsion for the poker tables.

From a technical perspective, John Dahl's direction ensures that the film remains engaging throughout. The use of voice-over narration might be seen as a double-edged sword; while it efficiently imbues the audience with Mike's internal monologue and strategic insights, it can occasionally feel overly explanatory. Nonetheless, Dahl's visual choices are strategic—emphasizing subtle facial expressions and players' tells rather than flashy card movements, which lends a raw authenticity to the high-stakes poker games. The film's pacing is well-managed, maintaining a steady momentum even when navigating through its more predictable narrative beats.

The supporting cast's performances add valuable depth. John Malkovich's portrayal of the menacing card shark Teddy KGB is an audacious blend of eccentricity and menace, providing both tension and bizarre comic relief. In contrast, Martin Landau's understated performance as Mike's law professor injects a grounding seriousness. These character dynamics enrich the film, rendering it more than just a poker movie but rather a compelling study of loyalty, risk-taking, and identity. Despite some logical inconsistencies and slightly abrupt narrative resolutions, "Rounders" remains an invigorating exploration into the poker world, capturing the allure and peril that comes with living on the edge.

"Rounders," initially underwhelming at the box office, has garnered a dedicated following over time, becoming a cult favorite. While it may not achieve masterpiece status, it offers a surprisingly engaging narrative featuring notable performances from Matt Damon, Edward Norton, John Turturro, and Martin Landau. John Malkovich's portrayal is intriguingly unconventional, akin to the infamous last hand in "The Cincinnati Kid." The film provides an interesting and immersive glimpse into the world of high-stakes poker, even if the script occasionally falters.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation of "Rounders" is commendable. The visual quality is solid and embraces the darker, moody tones essential for capturing the underworld of poker. The audio mix is expertly handled, ensuring clear dialogue and an immersive sound experience through its 5.1 channels. However, the supplementary materials, while satisfactory, could have been more comprehensive, given the film's burgeoning cult status.

In conclusion, "Rounders" remains a highly enjoyable movie with a strong cast that elevates its sometimes uneven script. The Blu-ray release offers superior audio-visual quality and adequate extras to satisfy fans and newcomers alike. This release is recommended for both its technical merits and the film's intrinsic entertainment value.