The Vault Blu-ray Review

The Vault is presented on Blu-ray by MVD Visual and FilmRise using an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The video quality exhibits a modern cinema aesthetic, adhering to a visually disciplined approach. The transfer, taken from a digital intermediate, largely satisfies with its clean and crisp clarity in both close-ups and wider shots. While the lighting conditions vary significantly, detail levels remain impressively high, particularly in the low-light basement sequences where the cinematographer has employed tweaked sensors for enhanced effects. Some segments feature a slightly sickly yellow tint and a subtle dusting of noise, but these do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience.

Color grading in The Vault's Blu-ray presentation doesn't exhibit the vibrant saturation characteristic of action blockbusters, opting instead for a balanced, neutral palette. Despite the digital color grading’s restraint in contrast and highlights, it successfully maintains a cohesive visual atmosphere throughout the film. However, the AVC encode does have some flaws including banding and minor compression artifacts, largely manifesting in darker scenes with increased noise and less clear delineation. Overall, despite these minor deficiencies, the Blu-ray offers a competent and engaging video presentation that reflects the film's intended visual tone.

"The Vault" Blu-ray from FilmRise offers Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 mixes, albeit in lossy formats, which might disappoint audiophiles expecting lossless audio. The film's sound design, although not overly ambitious, showcases adequate discrete channelization with ambient environmental effects, contributing to a moderately immersive experience. Important elements like dialogue are clearly and cleanly rendered, ensuring comprehensibility throughout the film's indoor-heavy scenes.

Despite the serviceability of the 5.1 mix, the surround channels remain relatively underutilized, reflecting the film’s limited audio design. Sound effects and musical elements such as Tommy James and the Shondells' "Crimson and Clover" over the opening credits exhibit decent dynamics, though they would undoubtedly benefit from a lossless upgrade. The confined setting of the film's narrative manages to mitigate some downsides of the lossy mix, but it's hard to ignore the enhancement potential of lossless audio. Additionally, the Blu-ray includes optional English SDH subtitles in a white font outside the scope presentation, offering clear accessibility.

FilmRise shows yet another step in its progression with this release but is urged to consider elevating their audio quality in future Blu-rays to cater to an audience increasingly attuned to high-fidelity sound experiences.

The Blu-ray release of "The Vault" includes limited extras, providing a succinct and professional presentation. The package maintains a decent technical quality with an upgrade from previous BD-R releases to an actual pressed Blu-ray disc. The extras do not extend beyond the primary addition of the film’s trailer, presented in HD quality, which keeps the focus on the main feature without additional supplementary content. This upgrade provides a stable and reliable viewing experience, though it remains minimal in additional features for enthusiasts seeking more in-depth bonus material.

Extras included in this disc:

Trailer: A high-definition preview of "The Vault."

"The Vault," helmed by Dan Bush, merges the heist genre with supernatural elements. The outset feels familiar—desperate criminals attempting a bank heist to save their brother Michael (Scott Haze) from financial ruin. Sisters Leah (Francesca Eastwood) and Vee (Taryn Manning) become central figures, leading a team of robbers who are soon thrust into a dire situation. It starts as a tense crime caper, with James Franco playing a seemingly nerdy bank employee who suggests they crack open an older vault in the bank's basement. However, complications arise when the robbers encounter vengeful spirits inside the vault, blending horror into the narrative.

Despite its thrilling setup, "The Vault" falters as it transitions into supernatural territory. The film relies heavily on misdirection and has numerous moments where plots twist unexpectedly. From the outset, there's an air of mystery illustrated by misleading scenes, such as false firemen and peculiar staff actions. The narrative becomes increasingly convoluted with the introduction of a past robbery that led to deaths and potential hauntings in the bowels of the bank. This hodgepodge of twists challenges the audience’s suspension of disbelief, and Franco’s character’s ambiguous nature adds to the confusion without delivering a satisfying payoff.

While the concept is intriguing, the actual execution appears hindered by budget constraints. The supernatural elements are teased but underdeveloped, resulting in limited visual effects that detract from the potential horror impact. However, solid performances, particularly by Eastwood as a determined sister, help anchor the film. In contrast, using Franco in a significant albeit mysterious role reveals early on he holds greater importance, somewhat undermining surprise elements. Ultimately, while "The Vault" offers an inventive mix of genres and commendable acting, its ambition outstrips its coherence and scare quotient.

"The Vault" is a bank heist thriller that unexpectedly delves into the realm of horror and the supernatural. The plot's attempt to merge these genres feels disjointed, failing to establish a cohesive narrative. The story suffers from logical inconsistencies, which may leave viewers perplexed. While the ambition to blend heist elements with supernatural horror is commendable, the execution does not effectively support this fusion, leading to an underwhelming viewing experience.

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Vault" offers satisfactory video quality, maintaining clarity and detail. However, the audio quality is notably subpar due to the reliance on lossy audio formats. This significantly detracts from the overall immersive potential of the film. The lack of high-definition audio compromises crucial sound elements, which are essential for both the heist’s tension and the horror’s atmosphere.

In conclusion, "The Vault" struggles to successfully integrate its dual genres, resulting in a confusing and unsatisfying film. While the visual presentation meets standard expectations, the audio shortcomings further undermine the movie's impact. Fans of either genre may find it lacking, making it a challenge to recommend enthusiastically.