Desierto Blu-ray Review

Universal's Blu Ray presentation of 'Desierto' showcases a commendable 1080p transfer, presented in the AVC codec with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The digital source is nearly spotless, and the overall transfer is impressive given the film's minimalist palette. While textures can occasionally lack complexity, they compensate with well-defined facial details such as pores, hair, and sweat stains on clothes. Dynamic elements like Sam's truck display considerable textural wear, which enhances the film’s gritty realism.

The color grading stay true to the earthy tones of the desert setting, effectively representing natural greens, and saturated shades of clothing and blood, though they tend toward drabness. Nighttime black levels are impressively deep with sufficient shadow detail, contributing effectively to the few nocturnal scenes. However, the opening sequences suffer from noticeable banding and less defined terrain. As the film progresses, the stability and detail of desert landscapes improve notably.

Overall, this Universal release handles the limitations of its digital shoot proficiently, offering a sharp and clean picture with minimal source noise. The attention to detail noticeable in diverse visual elements from rocky terrains to lifelike close-ups makes this Blu Ray transfer a commendable effort. With the inclusion of clear English subtitles for the Spanish-speaking migrants, this transfer stands out despite minor flaws.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack of "Desierto" delivers a compelling and effective auditory experience that deftly captures the vast, desolate terrain depicted on screen. The sound mix conveys a believable sense of space, with the quiet wind rippling through the stage and the authentic presence of Sam’s truck rattling across rough terrain enhancing the realism. Gunfire has a startling accuracy and reverberates powerfully, underscoring the film’s tension despite some narrative limitations. The surround channels exhibit distinctive separation during action sequences, while Woodkid's percussive, stylized score is well-integrated, adding depth to the desert ambiance.

The audio presentation does have its minor shortcomings; dialogue is mostly focused in the center channel, where it is rendered adequately but could benefit from improved fidelity. While not necessarily expansive, the sound mix achieves clarity and impact by utilizing big, detailed elements against open spaces, creating an engaging soundscape that aligns well with the film's setting. The track may lack the sophistication of higher-budget films, particularly in panning effects during gunfire scenes, but what is present is undoubtedly effective. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track ensures an immersive listening experience, making "Desierto" a noteworthy audio venture for viewers.

The Blu-ray extras for "Desierto" provide an insightful, though somewhat underwhelming, addition to the film, primarily through the feature commentary by Director/Co-Writer/Producer Jonás Cuarón. The commentary is a mixed bag—it features interesting anecdotes and detailed explanations about the unique filming locations but suffers from an excess of screen-narration. At moments where deeper character exposition could have been offered, especially concerning the killer's human side and his drinking problem, the director falls short, leaving these aspects inadequately explored. Additionally, the package includes a DVD copy of the film along with a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary with Director Jonás Cuarón: Provides anecdotes and explains filming locations but focuses too much on narrating events on screen.

Jonás Cuarón's "Desierto" is a stark, unembellished cat-and-mouse thriller set against a politically charged backdrop. Following a group of illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, they find themselves relentlessly hunted by the psychopathic Sam (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his dog, Tracker. What stands out immediately is the movie's unsparing dedication to stark realism, however, it falters in providing depth to its narrative, particularly in terms of character motivations. Sam’s unrelenting pursuit lacks specific rationale beyond superficial hints of xenophobic tendencies marked by a Confederate flag. It serves more as a visceral experience than a commentary, relying heavily on the intensity of survivalist action set pieces.

The crux of "Desierto" lies in its impressive cinematography, which uses the Baja Peninsula's arid landscapes to their fullest visual potential. Damian Garcia’s camera work captures painterly sunrises and sunsets, intricate cactus patches, and daunting rocky formations, imbuing the film with a sense of barren beauty. Despite the lack of nuanced character development — with even the lead characters such as Moises (Gael García Bernal) and Adela (Alondra Hidalgo) serving more as archetypes than fully fleshed individuals — the film maintains an unyielding pace with its focus on survival. It's gritty, raw, and unflinching in its depiction of violence, though some narrative choices, like Tracker's inconsistent tracking prowess and Sam's seemingly infinite ammunition, strain credibility.

Ultimately, while "Desierto" excels as a visually captivating thriller, it remains disappointingly elusive in exploring its characters’ deeper motivations. The film’s laser-focus on the brutality of the chase makes for a taut experience but leaves significant thematic gaps. The performances by Morgan, Bernal, and Hidalgo are physically demanding and intense, adding some emotional ballast to the otherwise superficial story. For those looking for an action-heavy chase through a beautifully desolate landscape, "Desierto" delivers compellingly but doesn’t quite rise to become the thought-provoking piece it aims for.

"Desierto" is a modest thriller that leans heavily on extended chase sequences for its suspense and action. It offers a rudimentary plot centered around a deranged vigilante targeting illegal immigrants, yet fails to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing debate on immigration. The film, lacking nuanced characters or a substantial storyline, comes off as politically tone-deaf and unsettlingly simplistic. While the cinematography captures the desolate landscapes effectively, it does little to enhance the lackluster narrative.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray release shines with an impeccable visual transfer. The clarity and sharpness of the high-definition presentation are noteworthy, and the DTS-HD Master Audio track delivers a clear and engaging soundscape that complements the film's intense sequences. However, the disc's sole feature, a filmmaker commentary by Jonás Cuarón, is fairly standard and doesn't add significant value to the overall package.

Overall, "Desierto" is an average popcorn thriller at best. While it may satisfy action enthusiasts seeking sheer adrenaline, those hoping for a deeper cinematic experience are likely to be disappointed. Given its minimal replay value and lack of substantial extra features, a rental is recommended over a purchase. Fans of Gael García Bernal might find it worth adding to their collections, but for most viewers, it's a one-time watch.

Desierto accomplishes nothing of value either cinematically or within the debate on illegal immigration. Even the staunchest anti-immigration, build-the-wall, send-them-all-packing type would find this man's actions deplorable, to use another one of the buzzwords-of-the-times. Even if the movie's purpose is to depict a crazy man murdering people, give him a reason or set it against something a little less politically charged. Video and audio are fine and the Blu-ray's sole extra is a filmmaker commentary. Skip it.