The Son of No One Blu-ray Review

Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of "The Son of No One" features a respectable 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The transfer exhibits exceptional fine detail and black levels, portraying city streets, building facades, and clothing textures with lifelike clarity. The film's color palette effectively transitions between vibrant hues and colder tones, particularly in flashback sequences, maintaining skin tones as neutral. A consistent light grain structure enhances the film-like quality of the image. However, the disc size limitations result in minor compression flaws, with some scenes showcasing diminished detail.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the transfer's clean and clear presentation stands strong. Fine details in faces and clothing yield lifelike textures, though the director of photography's preference for a gritty aesthetic sometimes leads to slightly unfocused shots. The film occasionally encounters compression noise in blacks and mild aliasing in aerial shots of building rooftops, indicating the limitations of fitting the content onto a BD-25 disc. Nonetheless, there is an absence of edge enhancement, DNR, banding, or significant artifacts. Overall, "The Son of No One" on Blu-ray is impressively film-like, capturing the essence of the theatrical experience with considerable success.

The audio presentation of "The Son of No One" on Blu-ray offers a mixed experience, utilizing both DTS-HD MA 5.1 and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtracks. The film heavily relies on dialogue and mood to convey its dramatic narrative. In these respects, the dialogue is consistently clear, articulate, and well-positioned in the sound stage, whether during intense conversations or minor exchanges. Environmental sounds such as city ambience or office chatter are immersive and effectively recreate their respective settings. Music maintains a clear presence with a balanced bottom-end and supportive surround elements.

However, the track has notable shortcomings. While it stands out during dialogue-heavy scenes, it falters during moments that require a more dynamic audio range, such as action sequences or elements that would benefit from richer bass and surround activity. The limited use of LFE and surround significantly dampens the potential for a more engaging auditory experience. Additionally, there are instances where sound effects are poorly integrated, resulting in a disjointed listening experience. For example, unrealistic imaging occurs with sounds like chirping crickets in otherwise indoor settings or mismatched noise from low-flying helicopters.

Overall, while the audio quality delivers high fidelity in dialogue and ambient representation, it lacks the depth and precision needed for a fully satisfying auditory experience. The inconsistent mix and underwhelming bass response reduce the overall impact of the Blu-ray's sound design, making it an unremarkable but adequate presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "The Son of No One" offers an adequate selection of extras, supporting the main film with both additional content and insights from the creators. The Audio Commentary by Writer/Producer/Director Dito Montiel and Executive Producer/Editor Jake Pushinsky provides behind-the-scenes anecdotes, cast discussions, and filming insights, although it's marred by occasional gaps and some repetitive commentary. Deleted Scenes extend select moments from the film, though they may not add substantial value for all viewers. The Trailer rounds off the extras, serving as a quick recap of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: In-depth insights and anecdotes from Writer/Producer/Director Dito Montiel and Executive Producer/Editor Jake Pushinsky.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional footage not included in the final cut.
• Trailer: A concise recap of the film's main plot and highlights.

"The Son of No One" struggles to capitalize on a conceptually interesting plot and fails to rise above its clichéd cop drama trappings. Leading man Channing Tatum portrays Jonathan White, a rookie NYC cop assigned to investigate a reopened double homicide from 1986 within his own rough Queens neighborhood. The narrative, which quickly reveals White's own involvement in the murders as a youth, hinges on uncovering who’s behind the anonymous letters that threaten to expose his dark secret. Despite the star-studded cast that includes veterans like Al Pacino and Ray Liotta, the film's disjointed plot and predictability drain any sense of urgency or genuine human drama from the narrative.

The technical execution offers some redeeming qualities. Montiel’s direction shines in flashback sequences set in the crime-ridden Queensboro projects of 1986, capturing an authentic and perilous atmosphere. However, these scenes starkly contrast with the more mundane present-day settings, rendering 2002 disappointingly generic by comparison. The performances are mixed: Tatum delivers a commendable effort, arguably one of his more nuanced roles, yet his co-stars appear disengaged and deliver lackluster performances. Ray Liotta and Al Pacino’s portrayals lack vigor, further diminishing any intended tension.

In summation, "The Son of No One" stumbles due to its over-reliance on worn-out cop drama tropes and a lack of narrative cohesion. The film’s initial premise is diluted by a predictable storyline and stagnant pacing that fails to fully engage. While visually distinct in certain flashbacks and featuring a competent lead performance, it ultimately feels like another addition to an over-saturated genre without achieving the emotional or thematic depth required to stand out.

"The Son of No One" presents a cop drama that, despite a commendable cast, including Channing Tatum showcasing some earnest acting talent, lacks the cohesive elements necessary to truly engage viewers. The storyline appears somewhat fragmented and rushed, perhaps betraying its origins as a novel by Dito Montiel. Although the cinematography is competent, the movie struggles to convey a purpose or evoke genuine emotional investment from both characters and audience. What promised to be a gripping tale ultimately fizzles into a series of predictable and forgettable sequences.

The Blu-ray release from Anchor Bay, however, excels in technical aspects. The video quality is remarkably clear for an indie BD-25, bringing out the finer details and textures of the film despite its somewhat out-of-focus presentation. The audio is forwardly mixed, providing a robust yet formulaic listening experience. As for the special features, they include commentary and extended scenes, though these additions don't add much value and can be perceived as rather dull and unnecessary.

In conclusion, "The Son of No One" may hold some appeal for die-hard fans of the genre or the actors involved, but it falls short of being essential viewing. The Blu-ray's technical proficiency shines, but the film itself may not warrant a purchase. It might be more prudent to rent if curious or seek out Montiel’s novel for a potentially more fulfilling narrative experience. Overall, this release is best approached with measured expectations.