Colombiana Blu-ray Review

"Colombiana" arrives on Blu-ray with a top-tier 1080p High Definition video presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The detail rendered throughout the film is highly commendable, with almost every pore on Zoe Saldana's face visible and each strand of her hair distinct, devoid of any edge enhancement or digital noise reduction. This treatment results in an impressively sharp image. The sun-bleached gold, yellow, and brown hues dominate the color palette, emphasizing the various locations and enhancing the stylistic approach reminiscent of EuropaCorp productions. Complementing these warm tones are the cool-blue dominated stealth scenes, which add variety and balance to the color scheme. Blacks are strong, contributing to excellent shadow detail and a handsome filmic grain that never distracts from the viewing experience.

Sony delivers a reference-quality Blu-ray with impeccable visual clarity. Colors exhibit vibrant primary tones with oversaturated warmth, particularly evident in both the vivid outdoor scenes and more intimate settings. Flesh tones are naturally balanced despite the occasionally heavy golden tint characteristic of the movie's dramatic visuals. The razor-sharp image boasts mesmerizing fine detail in nearly every shot, from facial textures and stubble to intricate building facades during intense chase scenes through Bogotá's streets and rooftops. From start to finish, the video remains razor sharp and pristine, with no signs of blocking, banding, or other artifacts that might detract from the overall presentation.

The technical aspects are robust, including an AVC MPEG-4 encode that handles the film’s warmth and intensity with finesse. Hot amber tones and lively secondary hues ensure a passionate visual style without compromising pure, bold primary colors. The contrast is slightly warm, lending a clean and crisp quality while maintaining rich black levels that provide substantial depth to shadows. Throughout the runtime, this transfer excels in detail and resolution, providing clarity and decent dimensionality that makes "Colombiana" a visually engaging experience and a fantastic release for Blu-ray aficionados.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on the Blu-ray release of "Colombiana" delivers an exceptionally robust audio experience, particularly in the film's action-heavy sequences. Dialogue remains clear and coherent throughout, maintaining excellent intonation and pitch clarity without being overshadowed by the surrounding elements of the high-energy scenes. While the score may not be particularly memorable, it supports the action perfectly with bass-driven weight, creating a well-balanced audio presentation that utilizes the entire soundstage effectively. The discreet rear channel activity, although not extensive, enhances the immersion with atmospheric touches and enveloping ambient sounds.

Significant moments in the film are dynamically rendered, with the sound effects creating a visceral impact. Explosions, gunfire, and RPG shots are delivered with a satisfying force, making full use of the LFE channel to provide palpable extensions that energize the viewing experience. Directional effects are employed skillfully, making action sequences like those in chapters twelve and fifteen particularly immersive, as gunfire erupts across the soundstage and explosions resonate with compelling power. The low-end frequencies in these scenes are impactful and expansive, filling the room with deep bass that heightens the intensity without overwhelming the primary audio elements.

Overall, "Colombiana's" audio presentation is a masterclass in sound design for action films. The lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 track not only provides clarity and balance to dialogue and music but also excels in delivering powerful dynamic effects and immersive atmospherics. This high-resolution audio track achieves an engaging listening experience that matches the film's visual intensity, ensuring that every grandiose action element is felt as much as heard.

The Blu-ray extras for "Colombiana" offer an in-depth look into the film's production elements without overwhelming the viewer. Key features include a 25-minute making-of documentary that details the movie's shooting across various countries, along with insights into the stunts, behind-the-scenes processes, and the director's vision. The character arc of Cataleya is explored through discussions with the actresses who portrayed her at different life stages. Additionally, shorter featurettes focus on the casting, fight choreography, and the film's international flair. The extras collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of the film's development while keeping the viewer engaged throughout.

Extras included in this disc:

• Colombiana: The Making of: Delve into the production process with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Cataleya’s Journey: Explore Cataleya’s character arc through insights from the actresses.
• Assassins: A closer look at casting and character influence.
• Training a Killer: Detail on fight choreography and combat skills.
• Take the Ride: Examination of international locations and film style.
• Trailers: Additional previews for related titles.

"Colombiana" is a product of the Luc Besson action-thriller factory, featuring Zoe Saldana in the lead role as Cataleya, an assassin fueled by childhood trauma and vengeance. The film opens energetically with an intense chase sequence in Bogotá, laying the groundwork for Cataleya's backstory and her transformation into a highly skilled killer. Trained by her uncle Emilio, who is portrayed convincingly by Cliff Curtis, Cataleya evolves into a meticulous hitwoman, leaving a distinct calling card with each kill in her quest for revenge.

While Saldana displays considerable physical prowess and emotional depth, grounding an otherwise superficial script, "Colombiana" struggles to break free from genre clichés. Director Olivier Megaton mirrors Besson’s visual style but fails to inject originality or soul into the narrative. The film deteriorates into a series of derivative action sequences that feel lifted from other successful action movies, lacking the innovation to truly captivate its audience. Despite its sleek production values and Saldana’s committed performance, the film disappoints with its predictable storyline and flat characterizations.

The action scenes, though well executed, suffer from an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Megaton’s direction ensures the film retains a degree of visual appeal but does little to enliven the stale revenge plot. Supporting characters, including Lennie Ross’s FBI agent and Michael Vartan’s love interest, remain ancillary to the central narrative, their underdevelopment serving only to move the plot forward without adding significant value. In essence, "Colombiana" is an empty spectacle—prompting fleeting enjoyment but ultimately succumbing to its lack of substance and creativity.

Conclusion Paragraph: Blu-ray of "Colombiana":

The Blu-ray release of "Colombiana" merits a close look for aficionados of high-quality audio-visual presentation. Combine a technically robust offering with Zoe Saldana's compelling performance and you're in for a visually engaging, albeit narratively unremarkable ride. While the plot rests heavily on standard action film tropes and fails to break new ground, the impeccable execution in sound and picture quality elevates the overall experience. However, a limited range of extras may underwhelm supplement enthusiasts. In sum, a worthwhile addition to one's collection for genre fans but otherwise recommended as a rental.