Midnight Sun Blu-ray Review

Midnight Sun's 1080p AVC-encoded transfer, preserving the film's intended 2.39:1 theatrical aspect ratio, delivers a visually impressive experience. The image is well-balanced and handles the film's frequent low-light interiors effectively, offering strong facial textures, crisp cloth details, and consistently sharp environments. Colors are well-defined and vibrant without any bleeding, and flesh tones remain natural. Moreover, the transfer offers excellent contrast, capturing the differing lighting conditions with precision. However, mild black crush is occasionally noticeable in darker scenes, likely an artistic choice to emphasize key thematic elements. Additionally, some low-light noise is present, contributing to the overall depth but not detracting from the viewing experience.

Despite these minor issues, the film maintains intricate detail throughout, particularly with well-lit scenes showcasing saturated and nuanced color tones. Textural details of the Seattle skyline and facial close-ups stand out prominently, adding a layer of visual richness. While there is some significant banding noted during a critical sequence in chapter 11 and minor banding in a few other shots, these occurrences are sparse and do not overshadow the overall quality of the transfer. No other source or encode issues were detected, making this Blu-ray presentation a commendable representation of Midnight Sun's distinctive visual aesthetic.

The audio presentation of "Midnight Sun" is delivered through a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, ensuring a solid and well-balanced audio experience. The music scores are particularly notable for their engaging liveliness, exhibiting full-bodied depth and impressive spatial distribution with both breadth and length. Throughout the film, the clarity of audio remains consistent and thoroughly maintained. A highlight includes the robust environmental support din, evident in scenes like the beachside party, which demonstrates an authentic soundstage.

General atmospheric effects are well executed, integrating seamlessly into the track. For instance, subtler background noises such as insect sounds are nicely woven into the soundscape, enhancing the immersive experience. The dialogue is a critical component of the audio mix and is handled effectively, presenting with clarity and precision across varied scenarios, ensuring comprehensibility. While this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track may not push any boundaries, it efficiently fulfills its role, providing a clear and enjoyable auditory experience without any glaring flaws.

The extras included in the Blu-ray of "Midnight Sun" are limited but provide some insightful content. The main supplement, "Midnight Sun: An Inside Look," is a concise and visually engaging featurette (1080p, 2:21) that offers a brief overview of the film’s plot, introduces the main characters, and highlights Katie's music. Despite its brevity, it captures the essence of the movie nicely. Notably missing from the disc, however, are the music videos used for marketing, although they are available on YouTube. For added convenience, the package includes a DVD copy of the film, presenting it in 480p with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Additionally, a digital copy code for Movies Anywhere is provided.

Extras included in this disc:

• Midnight Sun: An Inside Look: Brief behind-the-scenes overview exploring the plot, characters, and music.
• DVD Copy: The movie in standard definition.
• Digital Copy: Code for Movies Anywhere access.

"Midnight Sun" presents a rare young-adult romance that, unlike many in its genre, is an original work inspired by the 2006 Japanese film of the same name. Directed by Scott Speer, the film weaves a touching narrative around Katie Price (Bella Thorne), a teenager with Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP), a rare genetic disorder that renders any exposure to sunlight potentially fatal. Confined to her house for most of her life, Katie navigates her world through protective windows and her music, supported by her loving father (Rob Riggle). The story unfolds as Katie graduates from homeschool high school and meets Charlie Reed (Patrick Schwarzenegger), whom she has admired from afar for years. Their romance blossoms under the stars, a poignant exploration of love's resilience against life’s harsh realities.

The film follows a classic three-act structure, introducing characters, building their relationship, and moving towards an emotionally potent final act. Despite its predictability and reliance on familiar tropes like life-altering diseases and star-crossed lovers, "Midnight Sun" transcends the usual pitfalls of its genre. The emotional sincerity of the performances anchors the film within a heartfelt, genuine narrative. Bella Thorne’s portrayal of Katie is both tender and credible, capturing the character’s yearning for a normal life with sensitivity. Schwarzenegger and Riggle deliver strong performances that showcase their deep connections with Katie, enriching the film's emotional landscape. The chemistry among the trio adds depth to the predictable plotline, culminating in moments that are genuinely touching.

While "Midnight Sun" does not deviate much from its linear progression, it remains engaging throughout due to its honesty and warmth. Speer's direction ensures that even expected narrative turns are handled with care, focusing on genuine emotional responses rather than manipulative storytelling. The relationships between the characters are thoughtfully developed, particularly the dynamic between Katie and her father, which adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative. The film occasionally lingers too long on certain scenes in the second act, but overall, it maintains a steady flow. Its strength lies in the palpable affection shared by its characters, making "Midnight Sun" a sincerely touching romance that fans of the genre will appreciate.

"Midnight Sun" impressively navigates the familiar terrain of young adult romantic dramas with an authenticity and tenderness that set it apart. The film revolves around a poignant love story imbued with earnest performances, particularly from its leading trio, which enriches its emotional depth. The chemistry between the leads is a notable strength, contributing to the movie's engaging and well-paced narrative. Although it doesn't break new ground in terms of originality, "Midnight Sun" compensates with its heartfelt execution and compelling character portrayals.

Visually, the Blu-ray transfer is commendable, delivering a clean and vibrant picture that aligns well with the emotive tone of the film. The audio quality is robust, enhancing both the musical score and the dialogue without any discernible issues. However, the selection of special features is underwhelming and leaves much to be desired for those seeking additional content.

In conclusion, "Midnight Sun" will not compete in the arena of originality, but it dominates the arena of sincerity. This is one of the more genuine, honest, and tender young adult romances one is going to find. The acting is very good, the chemistry amongst the three leads is a strength, and the movie is well paced. It's just an agreeable little movie, simple on its merits but absorbingly deep within its characters. It's a great little movie. Universal's Blu-ray could stand to house a few more extras, but video and audio qualities are just fine. Highly recommended.