Left Behind Blu-ray Review

"Left Behind" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Entertainment One with a robust AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.38:1 aspect ratio. This digital presentation, captured using the Arri Alexa Plus, displays its strengths and weaknesses with particular acuity across different segments of the film. The initial scenes, set in brightly lit locations including airports and outdoor environments, exhibit excellent color accuracy, strong contrast, and notable clarity. Such early sequences are visually engaging, offering a sharp, natural look that makes the most of the digital cinematography.

However, the quality takes a downturn as the setting transitions to the airplane cockpit after the Rapture event. Here, the film suffers from low-light murkiness, with shadow details struggling to provide adequate depth or definition. The use of greenscreen becomes apparent, diminishing the immersive quality of the visuals. Backgrounds often reduced to simple blue lighting fail to convincingly establish the intended atmosphere. Moreover, while practical and CGI effects vary in effectiveness, one exception being an impressive post-Rapture cityscape shot, they generally contribute inconsistently to the overall visual experience.

Despite occasional oversaturation during ground scenes, which render actors’ skin tones somewhat unnaturally orange, issues such as banding and aliasing are relatively absent. The flat visual presentation within the dimly lit airplane cabin further impacts the film’s appeal, making the monotonous setting feel lifeless and unengaging. The evident greenscreen flaws and poorly executed special effects exacerbate this visual shortcoming rather than showcase the full potential of the Blu-ray transfer. Thus, while "Left Behind" offers moments of visual clarity and impact, it is ultimately marred by technical limitations and inconsistent quality in its presentation on Blu-ray.

The audio presentation of "Left Behind" on Blu-ray is exclusively available in Dolby Digital 5.1 for both English and French tracks. This choice leaves audiophiles wanting more, as the film could significantly benefit from a lossless format like DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD, especially given its heavy reliance on low-frequency effects. Although the Dolby Digital track provides adequate support for dialogue, effects, and score, it fails to deliver the immersive and dynamic sound experience expected from high-definition Blu-ray releases.

Notably, the audio performance lacks immersiveness, with the soundtrack often seeming disconnected from the onscreen action. Dialogue reproduction is also uninspiring, mainly confined to the front three speakers, which distribute sound uniformly without any distinct crispness. While the track maintains balance and avoids noticeable dropouts or glitches, it does not stand out in terms of power or dynamism.

For supporting features, subtitles are available in both English and Spanish. The decision to opt for a lossy audio format remains a significant drawback for an otherwise acceptable audio experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Left Behind" provide a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the film and its production. The "Behind the Scenes Featurette" is particularly informative, offering insight into why this adaptation was made and featuring interviews that add depth to the project. The "Cast & Crew Interviews" are extensive, with contributions from key figures such as Nicolas Cage and Chad Michael Murray, providing personal anecdotes and perspectives. The "Author's Reflections" section, featuring Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, gives fans of the original book series a special treat. The inclusion of a "Slideshow" provides a visual supplement, although it's not interactive. Additionally, the disc features trailers for related films, creating a broader context for "Left Behind."

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for the movie.
• Behind the Scenes Featurette: In-depth look at the making and rationale behind the film.
• Slideshow: Montage of production photos.
• Cast & Crew Interviews: Interviews with key cast and crew members.
• Author's Reflections: Interviews with Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.

The Blu-ray of "Left Behind" offers viewers a retelling of the Rapture, a cornerstone event in Christian eschatology as depicted in the Left Behind book series. Unfortunately, the movie struggles to deliver a coherent and engaging narrative regarding this cataclysmic event. Nicolas Cage stars as Rayford Steele, an airline pilot embroiled in personal drama involving his daughter Chloe (Cassi Thomson) and estranged wife Irene (Lea Thompson). Despite Cage's effort to portray a beleaguered professional, his performance feels lackluster, with critics noting an apathetic demeanor undermining the film’s dramatic potential. Chad Michael Murray’s portrayal of reporter Cameron "Buck" Williams does little to elevate the movie, often appearing forced and melodramatic.

The plot adheres closely to the disaster film template but fails to utilize this structure effectively. Scriptural quotes and heavy-handed religious themes are intended to underpin the narrative but often come off as dogmatic and misplaced. The film's decision to cover only the Rapture itself, leaving significant character arcs unresolved, further detracts from its impact. Viewers are introduced to a series of broadly drawn characters, but the supposed intrigue stemming from their fate post-Rapture is marred by a disjointed narrative and absence of critical follow-up.

Technically, the low budget is apparent throughout the film. Despite being framed in a widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the production values align more closely with a made-for-TV movie. The film's general presentation lacks polish, and while Cage and Murray manage to perform adequately within the confines of their roles, the supporting cast's performances are largely forgettable. The filmmakers’ ambition to launch a series based on this adaptation seems thwarted by its poor box office performance and critical reception. However, die-hard fans of Nicolas Cage or those with an interest in religious-themed cinema might still find some merit in this version of "Left Behind."

The Blu-ray release of "Left Behind," starring Nicolas Cage, presents an attractively clear and detailed picture, capturing the film's dramatic moments with remarkable precision. However, while the high-definition transfer ensures visual fidelity, the content itself leaves much to be desired. The narrative, based on the popular Christian-themed book series, suffers from a hackneyed script and uneven performances. Although Nicolas Cage delivers a commendable performance given the script's limitations, the overall execution feels subpar, relying heavily on clichés and lacking the necessary depth to engage a broader audience.

On a technical level, the Blu-ray disc offers pristine audio quality. The surround sound mix is immersive, bringing a dynamic range to the action sequences and the quieter moments alike. However, the special effects often falter, revealing the constraints of the film's modest budget through frequently laughable and unconvincing visuals. The supplementary features provide some behind-the-scenes insights but largely fail to enrich the viewing experience or compensate for the film's inherent shortcomings.

Ultimately, "Left Behind" will likely disappoint both secular audiences and devout followers hoping for a profoundly engaging adaptation. Its narrative flaws and lackluster production values overshadow Nic Cage's noteworthy effort, making it difficult to recommend beyond a casual rental for those curious about his performance. There will no doubt be some who insist I'm obviously not a believer, and so shouldn't review "Left Behind." But religious belief (and/or lack of it) has nothing to do with faulting this film's not quite ready for prime time performances, hackneyed script, often laughable effects and just overall haphazard feel. True believers may get enough out of this, despite its manifest ridiculousness (and even that's a debatable proposition), but for the vast majority of the viewing public, my hunch is it's going to be this film that gets left behind.