In the Blood Blu-ray Review

In the Blood's 1080p HD transfer is commendable, presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, reflecting the vibrant warmth of its Caribbean setting. The presentation captures vivid and potent colors, particularly sharp jungle greens and striking reds, which suit the film’s raw and gritty aesthetic. Despite the frequent use of consumer-grade cameras like GoPros, the mix of professional and low-grade footage integrates well within the narrative. Facial and clothing textures maintain consistency and precision, with close-ups revealing fine details such as wrinkles, makeup blemishes, and individual hairs. Backgrounds are robust, adding commendable depth to the overall picture.

The color palette's warmth is akin to an Instagram filter, which enhances the film's visual intensity. While mostly strong black levels do occasionally exhibit slight noise, it does not detract significantly from the viewing experience. Importantly, flesh tones manage to stay natural within the vibrant spectrum, contributing to a balanced visual presentation overall. The movie handles varied textures from dense jungle foliage to urban environments efficiently. Furthermore, the AVC MPEG-4 encoding ensures a clean image, free of banding and aliasing issues.

The transfer handles contrast and depth admirably despite a potentially lower budget, with darker scenes benefiting from natural lighting without overwhelming the visual clarity. The balanced color reproduction between tropical and neutral settings indicates a high-quality transfer that serves the action-packed narrative well. Overall, this is a good and reliable Blu-ray presentation by Anchor Bay that successfully conveys the hardcore grit and vibrant aesthetics of ‘In the Blood’.

Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of "In the Blood" features a robust Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless audio presentation that effectively immerses the viewer in the action-packed environment. The soundtrack's aggressive delivery enhances the movie's intense sequences, providing a thrilling auditory experience. Music is smoothly integrated, with dance club beats filling the front and back channels, subtly conveying location realism. Sound effects, ranging from ambient noises of wildlife to chanting crowds, vivid gunfire, and forceful fight scenes, are consistently engaging and dynamic. Notably, the gunshots in the third act exhibit a powerful presence, contributing significantly to the tension.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix excels in providing crystal-clear dialogue, seamlessly localized in the center channel, ensuring it stands out against the background score and sound effects. The directionality is commendable, with the surrounds effectively capturing the intricacies of fight scenes, gunfire, and chase sequences. LFE performance is particularly noteworthy; low-frequency effects resonate powerfully during high-energy moments, ensuring that explosions and intense scenes have a profound impact that can rattle the viewing space. The overall dynamic range is wide, with impeccable balance across different sound elements, maintaining clarity without any detectable distortion such as pops or hissing.

In summary, the audio presentation on "In the Blood" Blu-ray is exceptional, with a well-rounded approach to dynamics, low-frequency extension, and surround sound presentation. The cohesive blend of music, dialogue, and environmental sounds makes for an immersive and engaging listening experience that heightens the film's action and atmosphere.

The Blu-ray release of "In the Blood" includes a single, yet comprehensive, extra: "'In the Blood': Behind the Scenes," presented in 1080i resolution and lasting approximately 20 minutes. This feature provides an insightful look into the film's production, with cast and crew discussing the physicality involved, the stunts, fighting choreography, story origins, casting decisions, and character motivations. Additionally, viewers gain access to behind-the-scenes footage that captures the intricate process of bringing this action-packed film to life. However, the disc includes few additional extras, which might disappoint fans hoping for more extensive content.

Extras included in this disc:

• 'In the Blood': Behind the Scenes: An in-depth look at various facets of the movie's production.

"In the Blood," directed by John Stockwell, is an energetic cocktail of the Liam Neeson-starrer "Taken" and the video game "Far Cry 3." The film’s essence is a straightforward action narrative, featuring the commanding presence of MMA star Gina Carano. Carano not only showcases her combat prowess but also handles the intermittent emotional beats well enough to carry the film. The storyline tracks newlyweds Ava (Carano) and Derek (Cam Gigandet) on their Caribbean honeymoon, soon disrupted by a series of high-octane incidents. After Derek’s mysterious disappearance following a zip-line accident, Ava embarks on a relentless, blood-fueled quest to find her husband, clashing with both criminals and local law enforcement, specifically Officer Ramón Garza (Luis Guzmán).

The action sequences are meticulously crafted, allowing Carano's real-life fighting skills to shine. Each punch, kick, and gunshot is choreographed with precision, offering a visceral experience that resonates well with genre enthusiasts. Stockwell’s direction maintains a rhythmic flow, minimizing cuts to highlight the raw, unfiltered nature of Carano’s combat scenes. However, dramatic depth remains sparse; Carano’s intensity doesn’t fully translate into nuanced acting required for more emotive scenes. Her chemistry with co-star Cam Gigandet lends authenticity to their relationship, enriching the stakes of Ava’s subsequent vengeance spree.

Where "In the Blood" falters is its repetitiveness in the second act. The chase narrative occasionally stagnates as Ava cycles through a formulaic progression of suspects and altercations, leading to redundant plot points. A tighter edit could have alleviated these lulls, enhancing narrative propulsion between the solidly built first act and the explosive finale. Despite these shortcomings, "In the Blood" remains a commendable addition to the action genre, driven by Carano’s compelling performance and Stockwell’s dynamic visual style. The film does not redefine genre conventions but stands robustly alongside other contemporary action films.

"In the Blood" boasts an engaging action narrative that is sure to captivate genre enthusiasts, even if it's not entirely groundbreaking. Gina Carano's performance is a highlight, showcasing her capability to lead with raw physicality and a credible dramatic presence. While the middle segment of the film suffers from some pacing issues, the high-energy bookends more than compensate, delivering exhilarating sequences that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release provides a solid audiovisual experience. The video quality is crisp and vibrant, capturing the intensity and kinetic energy of the action sequences with impeccable clarity. The audio track complements this well, with clear dialogue and immersive sound effects that enhance the viewing experience. However, the disappointment lies in the paucity of supplementary materials; a single extra feature is all that accompanies the film, leaving fans desiring more behind-the-scenes insight.

In conclusion, "In the Blood" shines primarily due to Carano's performance and its robust action scenes. Despite some narrative lulls and a lack of extensive extras on the Blu-ray, it remains a recommended watch for fans of the action genre and those looking for an entertaining, fast-paced film. The blend of quality audiovisual presentation and Carano's star power make it a worthy addition to any action aficionado's collection.