Altitude Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Altitude" delivers a proficient 1080p high definition transfer that initially impresses with daylight scenes displaying vivid colors and strong detail. The sun-drenched visuals are reminiscent of high-gloss blockbusters, showcasing well-defined facial features and textures. The metallic, blue-gray color scheme of the film's opening is well-represented, with the characters' skin tones standing out against the cold imagery. Unfortunately, as the film progresses into darker and more challenging visual territory, particularly in the cloud-filled sequences, the image quality takes a notable downturn.

In the dimly lit confines of the airplane, details become blurred under a cold blueish hue. Blacks, which maintain integrity early on, begin to devour details and introduce excess noise. Banding issues are rampant in exterior shots of the plane, creating distracting pulsations, especially during panning shots through the CGI storm clouds. This visual artifact significantly detracts from the viewing experience, nearly rendering the film unwatchable in certain sequences. Additionally, low-light scenes inside the cabin are plagued by heavy grain, further obliterating details and reducing overall image clarity.

Overall, while "Altitude" starts with a promising high-definition presentation, its quality diminishes as the film transitions to darker scenes and CGI-heavy segments. The transfer manages to retain a film-like quality in brighter scenes with a light coating of grain, but pervasive banding and noise issues mar the darker sequences. Despite a robust Dolby TrueHD audio track that adds vibrancy to the film's sound design, the intermittent visual inconsistencies prevent this Blu-ray edition from being a standout reference-quality transfer.

"Altitude's" audio presentation on Blu-ray captivates with its robust and meticulously mixed Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The surround sound design leverages every speaker effectively, bringing the film's diverse environments to life. Whether it’s the powerful winds tearing through the soundstage or the subtle echoes in a hangar prior to takeoff, the mix ensures an immersive experience. Throughout the film, particularly during interior airplane scenes, viewers are enveloped in the consistent hum of propellers and booming thunder, utilizing the entire 5.1 configuration continually. The track’s powerful, tight bass genuinely impresses, delivering impactful, room-shaking moments during the airplane engine roars or the monstrous Skytopus attacks, making for a compelling and resonant listen.

However, while Altitude excels in many aspects of its audio mix, some minor issues with dialogue prioritization have been noted. There are instances where dialogue becomes somewhat muffled or lost amid the intense action and sound effects, particularly during scenes involving strong gusts or Skytopus's terrifying assaults. Despite this, dialogue remains clear and focused the majority of the time, anchored prominently in the center channel without significant interference from other audio elements. Overall, the soundtrack's strengths far outweigh these minor shortcomings, offering a thrilling audio experience that complements the film’s demands for ever-present and seamless sonic support.

The extras provided in the Blu-ray release of "Altitude" offer a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the film's creation. The Audio Commentary with Director Kaare Andrews delves into the basics of filmmaking, special effects, script iterations, and the challenges faced during production. The 'Altitude': Behind the Scenes is an extensive four-part documentary that covers everything from pre-production and casting to stunts and special effects. Green Storm explores the extensive use of green screen technology and the construction of various special effects. The Original Concepts Gallery features detailed hand-drawn storyboards, providing insight into the film's visual planning. Lastly, the disc includes several Previews of related films in standard definition.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Kaare Andrews: Insights into filmmaking, script development, and special effects.
• 'Altitude': Behind the Scenes: A detailed 49-minute documentary covering all stages of production.
• Green Storm: Examination of green screen technology and effect creation.
• Original Concepts Gallery: Hand-drawn storyboards.
• Previews: Trailers for "Altitude," "Frozen," "The New Daughter," "Operation: Endgame," "The Rig".

"Altitude," the latest direct-to-video horror film, showcases a captivating premise that unfortunately falls short in execution. Directed by Kaare Andrews, the film centers around teenage pilot Sara (Jessica Lowndes) and her friends embarking on a flight that soon goes disastrously wrong. As the plane unexplainably gains altitude and a storm looms, the group must navigate malfunctioning instruments and deepening paranoia. Despite its derivative storyline and questionable plausibility, Andrews delivers a competent directorial effort, bringing Paul A. Birkett's script to life with notable zeal. The movie’s greatest strength lies in its narrative pacing and sustained tension, though it never quite attains the sheer terror of comparable single-location films like Adam Green's "Frozen."

However, the film's structural strengths are undermined by glaring weaknesses, most notably its shallow characters and subpar interactions. Sara's friends are little more than stock cinematic archetypes: Sal (Jake Weary), the boorish jock; Mel (Julianna Guill), the compulsive documentarian; Cory (Ryan Donowho), the inexplicably guitar-toting lad; and Bruce (Landon Liboiron), Sara's brooding boyfriend with hidden motives. The dialogue often veers towards the absurdly technical at the expense of genuine emotional engagement, resulting in a disconnect that hinders viewers' investment in the group's fate. The film’s attempt at poignant backstory for its leads arrives too late to salvage the initial lack of depth.

Additionally, while "Altitude" tries to imbue deeper themes about trust and human reliance on technology, these elements are smothered by preposterous plot twists and middling special effects. Specifically, the climactic reveal involving a cloud-dwelling octopus-like entity feels overwrought and detracts from the film’s credibility. Despite this, Andrews’ direction manages to maintain some semblance of suspense throughout, ensuring a mostly engaging thriller albeit one that ultimately fizzles. In summary, while "Altitude" offers an intriguing concept and commendable pacing, it is encumbered by caricatured characters and an implausible plot that dilutes its potential impact.

"Altitude" is an ambitious endeavor that aimed to blend elements of horror, thriller, and psychological drama, but it often stumbled due to a disjointed script and lackluster character development. At its core, the story shows promise, merging inspirations from creators like Adam Green, M. Night Shyamalan, and Stephen King. However, the dialogue often feels amateurish, characterized by clichéd reactions that fail to provide the depth needed to truly engage the viewer. There are numerous plot threads vying for attention, yet none seem to resolve convincingly, leaving the story floating in a haze of unfulfilled potential.

The Blu-ray release from Anchor Bay offers a mixed bag in terms of technical quality. Video presentation struggles notably with significant banding issues, especially noticeable during scenes involving the storm. Conversely, the audio presentation fares better, providing robust sound that enhances the film’s scare tactics and action sequences. However, dialogue clarity is insufficient, detracting from the overall auditory experience. The special features included with the Blu-ray are extensive but lack meaningful content to genuinely enrich the viewing experience.

In conclusion, "Altitude" hovers on the edge of being a "so bad it's good" film, best enjoyed with a group ready to riff on its more absurd elements. Despite its shortcomings, it has a certain charm that may earn it a cult following in home video circles. For those intrigued by intriguing yet flawed narrative experiments, renting this Blu-ray might be the ideal way to explore "Altitude" without fully committing to ownership. However, those seeking high production values and tight storytelling may want to look elsewhere.