Inherent Vice Blu-ray Review

"Inherent Vice," shot with 35mm Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL2 cameras, delivers a striking 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation, capturing the essence of Anderson and cinematographer Robert Elswit’s vision. The transfer retains the lush grain and full-bodied cinematic feel of 35mm film, immersing viewers in a richly textured visual experience that resonates with authenticity. Colors and skintones remain vibrant and lifelike despite the natural lighting that occasionally dilutes their intensity. Contrast is consistently filmic, with well-preserved black levels, though some scenes retain a prevailing softness and muted shadows true to the source. Minimal edge halos and negligible crush do little to detract from the overall quality of the image.

Detail is paramount throughout the presentation. Fine textures are resolved with clarity, making close-ups exceptionally revealing, epitomizing Doc’s distinct facial hair and vividly defined smoke sequences. The encode steers clear of major technical flaws such as macroblocking, banding, or errant noise, ensuring an unobtrusive and immersive viewing experience. Shadows are harsh yet intentional, offering strong nighttime visuals that align with the film’s artistic integrity rather than indicating any deficiencies in the transfer. This faithful presentation of "Inherent Vice" provides one of the most authentic filmic experiences available on Blu-ray, fully embracing its 35mm source material to deliver a nuanced and engaging visual tapestry.

Warner Bros.' DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix for "Inherent Vice" brings intricate sonic detail to the forefront, ensuring a captivating audio experience in line with Paul Thomas Anderson's vision. The dialogue, though occasionally challenging due to deliberate mumbling and muttering, is nonetheless clear and intelligible when intended, faithfully mirroring the film's quirky style. The low-end frequencies are subtle yet robust, complementing the dynamic range that remains consistent throughout the film. Surround channels are adeptly utilized, creating an immersive ambiance across various settings including dives, hotspots, and rehabilitation clinics. Directional effects and ambient sounds blend seamlessly, with Jonny Greenwood's evocative music haunting the soundscape.

The 5.1 mix shines in producing a thoroughly immersive listening environment, leveraging directional sound to breathe life into rear channels during pivotal audio-rich moments such as house parties or intimate interviews in murky alleyways. Bass response is noteworthy, particularly during sequences featuring the '70s-inspired soundtrack, adding depth and clarity without overpowering the other elements. Both quiet and erratic scenes maintain fidelity, ensuring that Anderson's meticulous sound design prevails. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio track stands out as a nearly flawless component of this release, maintaining a professional presentation that aligns perfectly with Anderson’s thematic intentions.

The extras included in the Blu-Ray release of "Inherent Vice" are underwhelming, both in quantity and substance. The selections consist primarily of brief promotional material narrated by one of the main characters, Shasta (Katherine Waterston), offering little insight or substantial content. The only notable inclusion is a deleted scene, which, while longer, does not compensate for the overall lack of depth in the extras section. Given the rich source material and the film's complex narrative, the offering feels disappointingly sparse and missed an opportunity to provide fans with meaningful behind-the-scenes insights or detailed featurettes.

Extras included in this disc:

• Los Paranoias: A promo for the movie, narrated by Shasta.
• Shasta Fay: Another promo featuring Shasta's musings.
• The Golden Fang: Another simplistic trailer.
• Everything in this Dream: The longest offering, a deleted/alternate sequence.

Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice" is an enigmatic, drug-fueled odyssey that defies conventional narrative structures. Adapted from Thomas Pynchon's 2007 novel, the film plunges viewers into a vortex of paranoia, counterculture confusion, and noir-inflected whimsy. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Doc Sportello, a perpetually stoned private investigator in 1970 South Beach, California, who becomes embroiled in a labyrinthine plot involving his ex-girlfriend Shasta (Katherine Waterston), her billionaire boyfriend Wolfmann (Eric Roberts), and a shadowy cabal known as The Golden Fang. Characters abound: hustlers, surfers, sax-playing detectives, and more. Top-tier actors such as Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro, and Owen Wilson elevate even the most minor roles, enriching the film’s tangled web with eccentric performances.

The screenplay, an intellectual labyrinth in its own right, doesn't condescend to the audience, insisting on their undivided attention even as it unfurls its disjointed, dream-like narrative. Anderson masterfully captures Pynchon's affinity for the chaos and incoherence of the '70s subculture, with the film swaying between moments of sharp humor and puzzling ambiguity. Phoenix delivers a deeply nuanced performance, balancing comedic physicality with an undercurrent of genuine detective acumen. The interplay between Phoenix and Brolin stands out, particularly in their scenes that oscillate between antagonistic tension and strange camaraderie.

Visually, the film encapsulates the hazy aesthetics of the era, with Anderson finding beauty in 1970s Los Angeles's grittiness. His direction is meticulous, crafting each frame to reflect a world teetering on the brink of disarray. Despite—or perhaps because of—its refusal to wrap up neatly or offer clear resolutions, "Inherent Vice" demands multiple viewings. It’s a film that evokes and provokes in equal measure, making it a challenging but rewarding experience for those willing to dive into its psychedelic depths. If linear storytelling is your comfort zone, be prepared to step out; "Inherent Vice" thrives on defying expectations at every turn.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s "Inherent Vice" is a complex and polarizing film, demanding multiple viewings to fully appreciate its layered narrative and rich, psychedelic verve. Adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s novel, the film subverts traditional noir conventions, blending them seamlessly into Anderson’s distinct cinematic style. The characterization is compelling with Joaquin Phoenix delivering a memorable performance, almost matched by Josh Brolin’s robust portrayal. The film requires patience as it offers a detailed, rewarding experience with a keen eye for nuances.

Warner's Blu-ray release of "Inherent Vice" excels in audio and visual presentation, ensuring that each viewing highlights its unique qualities. The transfer maintains the film’s vibrant colors and sharp details, reflecting Anderson’s meticulous craftsmanship. The audio mix, similarly impressive, captures the immersive soundscape of the 1970s Los Angeles setting. Nevertheless, the Blu-ray falters in its sparse special features. Three short promotional featurettes and one deleted scene offer minimal insight into the film’s production process and thematic depth.

Despite the disappointing extras, "Inherent Vice" remains one of the standout films of 2014, with a detective story that’s both intriguing and absorbing. The lack of substantial behind-the-scenes content is outweighed by the superb audiovisual fidelity of the Blu-ray release. Die-hard fans may yearn for more extensive insights, but the film's quality and presentation make it an essential acquisition for cinephiles.

Paul Thomas Anderson has never been a filmmaker of the people, but Inherent Vice will even divide the faithful Anderson fold. Savoring all it has to offer requires multiple viewings (if only to be rid of the expectations that tend to taint the first viewing), a keen eye, and patience, patience, patience. There's richness here, as well as a psychedelic verve that embraces the genre and subverts it, captures Pynchon without being beholden to him, and carves out another unique corner of the Anderson canon. Warner's Blu-ray is excellent too, so long as you aren't hoping for any special features of substance. There aren't any. What you will find is a terrific AV presentation; one that makes those multiple viewings that much easier to absorb.