A Company Man Blu-ray Review

"A Company Man" receives a noteworthy 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer on Blu-ray, framed in the widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio, from Well Go USA. Captured using the Red One and Red Epic cameras, the film displays the glossy and refined aesthetic characteristic of these digital formats. Despite the upscale presentation, viewers might encounter challenges with the range of light; numerous scenes are cloaked in shadow, complicating visibility—especially in sequences that demand attention to detail in dimly lit environments. However, these moments of darkness are juxtaposed against vibrant displays of color in brighter scenes, albeit heavily color-graded, and exceptional clarity in midrange to close-up shots, enhancing the film's visual drama.

The transfer shines in its representation of detail and texture, with the high-definition clarity bringing out the minutiae in every frame. Whether it's the subtle imperfections of skin or the intricate patterns of clothing, the video quality ensures that nothing is lost. The color grading leans towards cooler, desaturated tones—yellows and greens predominant—establishing a gritty visual narrative that aligns with the film's thematic elements. Whites are strikingly bright, while blacks manage to retain depth, albeit with slight instances of crush in shadows. Furthermore, some minor noise and a handful of compression artifacts such as aliasing and banding make brief appearances but do not significantly detract from an otherwise pristine digital source.

In essence, "A Company Man" is visually arresting on Blu-ray, leveraging its digital cinematography to offer a viewing experience that's both stylish and substantive. Although it wrestles with contrasts in light balance and occasional video noise, these are minor distractions within a largely immaculate presentation. With its strategic color grading and meticulous detail capture, the film stands as a testament to the power of high-definition video to enhance narrative immersion.

The audio presentation of "A Company Man" on its 4K UHD Blu-ray release boasts a lossless Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that delivers a profoundly immersive and visceral auditory experience. Particularly compelling are the action sequences, where the precision of sound design comes to the fore; the opening scene, featuring Hun's precisely-targeted silencer shots and intense hand-to-hand combat, showcases a sophisticated use of discreet channeling for foley effects. This is complemented by well-crafted urban ambiances, from bustling cityscapes to the more nuanced sounds of falling rain and rhythmic windshield wipers, which are expertly positioned in the side and rear channels to create a vibrant sound environment. Dialogue is rendered with notable clarity, maintaining a clean and full-bodied texture that ensures every word is easily discernible, even amidst the din of action or the subtlety of quieter, tension-filled moments.

The Korean DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is accompanied by optional English subtitles, ensuring accessibility while preserving the audio's original nuances. The mix excels in creating a space that oscillates between delicate ambiance and explosive action, accurately reflecting the film's mood swings from serene to violently forbidding. It adeptly handles directional effects and speaker transitions, making every gunshot and punch feel placed within a meticulously crafted soundstage. However, it’s noteworthy that the gunshots, while sharp and enveloping, lack the aural punch some may expect, hinting at an artistic choice rather than a flaw. Dynamic range is impressive, with distortion-free delivery across both ends of the spectrum, from crisp highs to deep lows, contributing to an overall sound experience that's both dynamic and nuanced.

Overall, the audio track of "A Company Man" impressively balances intensity with subtlety, employing a wide dynamic range and excellent fidelity to enhance the storytelling. Its careful design supports the film's gritty tone and stylized violence without overwhelming the narrative, providing an auditory experience that's as compelling and complex as the visual elements. This mix exemplifies how sound can extend the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, creating an enveloping atmosphere that complements the on-screen action and drama, ensuring viewers are not merely spectators but immersed participants in the unfolding story.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray extras for "A Company Man" offer a rather basic glimpse behind the curtain of this thrilling cinematic experience, with a focus on the making of the film and its theatrical trailer. The "Making Of" featurette, albeit brief and presented in a lower resolution (480i/SD), provides a condensed but intriguing peek into the movie's production. It features interviews with cast and crew, insights on character development, and snippets of the fight choreography in action. Despite its short duration and standard definition quality, it manages to offer a small window into the creative process behind the scenes. Contrasting this is the film's trailer, which is given a sharper treatment in 1080p HD, delivering the movie's high-octane essence with commendable audio quality (Dolby Digital 2.0). Both extras, while not exhaustive in their scope, provide a succinct overview of what went into making "A Company Man" a reality, though leaving an appetite for more.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Of: A brief look into the production of the film, featuring interviews with cast and crew alongside snippets of fight choreography.

• Trailer: The official trailer of the film presented in 1080p HD.

A Company Man intriguingly merges the mundanity of corporate life with the adrenaline-pumping world of contract killing, presenting a narrative that's simultaneously familiar and fresh. The film unfolds within the stark, fluorescent-lit confines of cubicles, transforming them into the unlikely setting for a tale of assassination, ambition, and a search for freedom beyond the 9-to-5 grind. Director Lim Sang-yun crafts a world where the lines between ordinary corporate employment and the life of a hitman blur, with protagonist Hyeong-do (So Ji-Sub) embodying this dichotomy—living as a midlevel corporate drone by day and a lethal assassin by night. While the film doesn't shirk from delivering well-executed action set pieces reminiscent of John Woo's stylized violence, it's the peculiar juxtaposition of corporate and killer life that captures the imagination.

Despite its promising premise, A Company Man occasionally stumbles, adhering too closely to genre conventions. The plot navigates through expected twists and character arcs, including Hyeong-do's crisis of morality upon receiving orders to kill a rookie and his burgeoning relationship with the recruit's mother. This overlay of predictable elements somewhat mutes the film's innovative presentation of contract killing as just another job. However, it's worth noting that where the script may lean towards the derivative, the strength of performances and Lim's assured direction inject vitality into the narrative. The action sequences are elegantly choreographed, marrying graceful violence with a narrative that probes the existential weariness of its characters, offering moments of dark humor and satire on corporate culture.

In sum, A Company Man offers a critique wrapped in an action thriller, reflecting on the soul-crushing nature of corporate work through its portrayal of an assassin trapped in both worlds. While it navigates familiar territory in terms of plot and character development, it stands out through its adept blending of genres and stylistic flourishes. The high-octane action, coupled with a meditation on the pursuit of one's dreams versus the pull of obligations, makes it more than just another hitman film. Its commentary on the corporate world, though not as sharp as it could potentially be, adds layers to an otherwise straightforward narrative. Despite its flaws, the movie succeeds in engaging audiences with its unique premise, dynamic direction, and compelling performances.

"A Company Man," while threading through the familiar corridors of the crime thriller genre, instills a sense of novelty with its slight twist that intriguingly blends commendable direction, potent performances, and a flair for action sequences, reminiscent of the works of John Woo. This 4K UHD Blu-ray release shines in its technical presentation, boasting of a visually stunning video quality that captures every nuance of the moody cinematography and an audio mix that complements the film’s atmospheric tension. However, the package is somewhat marred by its lackluster supplemental materials, offering little beyond a brief featurette and a trailer, which may leave enthusiasts yearning for more depth.

Despite its promise, "A Company Man" plays it somewhat safe, much like a mid-level manager wary of taking risks. The film's potential to mark a significant debut for Korean cinema is evident in its well-crafted action sequences and nuanced performances. Yet, it stops short of fully realizing its groundbreaking possibilities by adhering too closely to the genre's conventions without daring to venture into uncharted territories or assert a stronger sense of individuality. This cautious approach, coupled with the high-quality audiovisual presentation of the Blu-ray, makes for a compelling if not entirely revolutionary viewing experience.

In conclusion, while "A Company Man" could have benefitted from taking more risks to distinguish itself within the oversaturated crime thriller genre, its solid direction, performances, and engaging action sequences make it a worthy watch. The 4K UHD Blu-ray enhances this experience with exceptional video and audio quality, albeit hampered by the scant offering of special features. Ultimately, for fans of the genre and admirers of kinetic filmmaking à la John Woo, this release presents a satisfactory addition to their collection, though it stops just short of being a standout.