Wyatt Earp Blu-ray Review

Warner Brothers' release of Wyatt Earp boasts a 1080p high definition video presentation, encapsulated in its original cinematic aspect ratio of 2.40:1. This transfer showcases a respectable leap from previous DVD editions, offering a cleaner and sharper image that accentuates the environmental textures, period costumes, and actors' complexions with commendable clarity. Daytime scenes reveal a particularly vivid sharpness, while the overall contrast maintains a balanced and pleasing aesthetic without overexposing the whites. However, despite these improvements, the presentation is not without its flaws. The image quality is notably soft throughout, an element that, coupled with occasionally muted and drab color tones - especially evident in indoor and nocturnal scenes - presumably aligns with the directorial vision yet detracts from the potential vibrancy of the high-definition format.

Significant video issues persist, including fluctuations in skin tones, insufficiently deep black levels that often render night scenes in a grayish haze, and instances of wavering contrast. Viewers might also notice consistent source noise, minor artifacting, sporadic grain spikes, and an unwelcome presence of light edge enhancement. Such technical shortcomings detract from the immersive potential of the Blu-ray experience, hinting at a transfer process that may have too closely retained its DVD origins despite boasting higher resolution and sharper detail. Blacks particularly lack depth, failing to produce a truly three-dimensional imagery and contributing to a presentation that falls short of the standards set by superior Blu-ray releases in the same era.

In conclusion, while the high-definition transfer of Wyatt Earp on Blu-ray surpasses its DVD counterparts by improving on color vibrancy and detail sharpness, it is troubled by persistent video quality issues that inhibit its capacity to fully leverage the Blu-ray medium. Although daytime exteriors and certain textures are presented with commendable delineation and the overarching image benefits from a clean-up, the visual experience is ultimately marred by softness, color inconsistencies, and inadequate black levels. Thus, while an acceptable upgrade for fans of the feature, it does not exemplify top-tier video fidelity within the Blu-ray format.

The audio presentation of "Wyatt Earp" on Blu-ray, provided in a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix (640 kbps), fails to fully capitalize on the format's potential. While the track steers clear of abject disappointment, it lacks the lossless audio finesse that could have propelled it into the auditory stratosphere. Listeners will find the soundscape to be pleasant, with decent use of the surround channels, adding some dimensionality, albeit sparingly. Dialogue, crucial to the narrative experience, is mostly clear but occasionally succumbs to muddiness, detracting from the overall clarity. Bass responses, pivotal in a film laden with explosive moments and gunfire, sometimes feel restrained, particularly during scenes where a more profound impact is anticipated. These moments tend to rely more on the center channel than the subwoofer for depth, resulting in an experience that's solid but somewhat lacking the expected visceral punch.

The front soundstage proves to be more animated, showcasing discrete channel separation and natural sound flow, making it one of the more commendable aspects of this audio mix. The richness of treble and the handling of gun blasts and music, notably James Newton Howard's epic score, stand out as exemplary. This score breathes life into the film's expansive visuals and is rightly praised for its quintessential feel and fitting placement within the genre. Despite these strengths, the audio mix could have benefitted from more aggressive use of the LFE channel and a more immersive use of the rear channels to pull the audience into the heart of the film's dynamic scenes more effectively.

In comparison with its counterparts, including those on special edition DVDs and even the HD DVD edition's Dolby Digital-Plus track, there's little to no discernible difference in audio quality. This realization might leave some enthusiasts wanting, especially in an era where high definition soundtracks aim to redefine home theater experiences. While it does its job of accompanying the film without glaring flaws, and will satisfy fans to a certain degree, there's an underlying sense that opportunities were missed in making "Wyatt Earp’s" sonic backdrop as memorable and impactful as its story deserved. Setting expectations appropriately, one can appreciate the workmanship of this audio presentation, albeit with a slight hint of what could have been with a lossless track.

The Blu-ray release of "Wyatt Earp" presents a rather uninspiring collection of extras that, while offering some behind-the-scenes glimpses and promotional material, falls short of providing the rich, in-depth exploration of the film's creation, historical accuracy, and its stance in cinema history one might hope for. Comprising two main featurettes, "It Happened That Way" and "Walk With a Legend," viewers are treated to a mix of on-set anecdotes and insights from key figures such as Lawrence Kasdan, Gene Hackman, and Kevin Costner, yet these fail to delve deeply into the film's thematic essence or production challenges. The inclusion of eleven 'Lost Scenes' offers minimal additional context or value, emphasizing slow character moments without significantly enhancing the narrative. Coupled with a standard theatrical trailer, this set underscores a missed opportunity to fully celebrate the legacy and craftsmanship of "Wyatt Earp," delivering only a superficial glance at its making and impact. All content is presented in 480p resolution, with the trailer being the sole widescreen inclusion, reflecting a lack of technical enhancement for contemporary audiences.

Extras included in this disc:

• It Happened That Way: A behind-the-scenes look featuring insights from the cast and crew about the making of the film.
• Walk With a Legend: A vintage making-of special hosted by Tom Skerritt, exploring notable films and looking forward to "Wyatt Earp's" release.
• Lost Scenes: Eleven scenes not included in the final cut, each with a brief introduction.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original 480p promotional trailer for the film.

Wyatt Earp," a western epic starring Kevin Costner, finds its footing on Blu-ray, offering an intensively detailed dive into the life of the legendary lawman, from his tumultuous youth through his adult years marked by tragedy and a relentless pursuit of justice. Unlike its cinematic counterpart "Tombstone," "Wyatt Earp" opts for a broader narrative scope, examining Earp's backstory and motivations in great depth. This approach, coupled with a star-studded cast including Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, and a suite of other Hollywood notables, strives for a comprehensive portrayal of Earp's life. However, despite the ambition behind its making, the film is marred by pacing issues and an overabundance of subplots, which contribute to a runtime that feels both excessive and insufficiently focused.

The production value, underscored by authentic dialogue and sweeping cinematography, is commendable. However, the film often feels like an overcrowded script struggling to maintain balance amidst its ensemble cast. While Gene Hackman delivers a convincing performance as Earp's father, the same cannot be said for the entire cast, with some performances appearing somewhat miscast when measured against historical figures. These elements combined give "Wyatt Earp" a quality that oscillates between a Hollywood spectacle and a historical biopic, lacking the consistency to firmly ground itself in either category.

As it stands, "Wyatt Earp" emerges as a movie of considerable depth and ambition that somehow falls short in execution. Its narrative, rich with potential insight into Earp's motivations and personal growth, is bogged down by an attempt to juggle too many elements at once. The film's exploration into Earp's formative years provides an interesting perspective but ultimately contributes to a convoluted plot structure that detracts from the core story of Wyatt Earp himself. For aficionados of Westerns available in high-definition formats, "Wyatt Earp" will hold interest; however, it may leave viewers longing for a more coherent and impactful portrayal of one of the Old West's most storied figures.

Wyatt Earp" serves as an intriguing yet flawed entry into the Western genre, ultimately falling short of reaching the impactful resonance of films like "Unforgiven" or "Tombstone." Notwithstanding Kevin Costner's effort to embody the titular character, the portrayal of Old West lawmen across the board struggles with authenticity, leaving much to be desired in terms of character believability. The Warner Brothers release further compounds these narrative shortcomings with a technical presentation that can only be described as lackluster. The Blu-ray quality doesn't leverage the potential of the format, offering only an average picture quality and a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track that misses the opportunity to include a more robust, lossless audio option. Additionally, the extras provided are sparse, contributing to an overall underwhelming home viewing experience.

The ongoing debate between "Wyatt Earp" aficionados and "Tombstone" enthusiasts seems destined to persist, with each film offering distinct takes on similar themes. However, regardless of this cinematic rivalry, this particular Blu-ray release does little to elevate "Wyatt Earp" above its competition. The video and audio transfers do not break new ground, settling instead for mediocrity, which may disappoint those expecting a more immersive and refined home theater experience. The scant supplementary material fails to compensate for the main feature's technical deficiencies, suggesting that viewers lower their expectations and consider this Blu-ray as a potential rental rather than a must-own addition to their collection.

In conclusion, while "Wyatt Earp" might hold some appeal for fans of the genre or the uninitiated looking to explore historical Westerns, its Blu-ray presentation significantly detracts from its potential. The film itself may offer moments of entertainment, but its extended runtime and sometimes unconvincing performances make it a lesser counterpart to its contemporaries. Coupled with an average Blu-ray execution that neither impresses visually nor audibly, this release struggles to justify itself as a valuable piece of media worth revisiting. A cautious approach, favoring rental over purchase, is advisable until a more compelling version is made available.