As the Light Goes Out Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "As the Light Goes Out" by Well Go USA features an AVC-encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.38:1 aspect ratio. The digital cinematography, employing various cameras, often struggles to render fine detail amidst the prevalent yellow-tinged, smoky scenes that dominate the film. The palette is generally desaturated, with pale flesh tones and a muted color range contributing to a somewhat lifeless visual aesthetic. However, where the film excels is in its sharpness and clarity, particularly noticeable in close-up shots where fine details stand out impressively. While banding is an occasional issue in fire scenes, other artifacts remain generally absent.

Clarity and detail are often compromised due to the pervasive smoke, leading to some minor blocking issues in heavily smoke-filled sequences. Despite this, the image maintains a smooth look, suggesting potential post-processing adjustments during the transfer. Depth perception is notable in scenes showcasing the scale of fires, hinting at their effectiveness in a theoretical 3-D format. Black levels are robust with a broad palette of shading, though occasional crushing occurs. Color reproduction focuses mainly on rich greys and the striking yellow of the uniforms, while flesh tones remain natural but consistently too smooth throughout most of the film.

Overall, while the smoke-heavy visuals challenge this Blu-ray release's ability to showcase its finer details fully, it remains clear that the transfer has maximized what it can offer given these constraints. Band issues are minimal, and the general absence of distracting artifacts provides a reasonably clean viewing experience that reflects the film's gritty aesthetic effectively.

The Blu-ray of "As the Light Goes Out" boasts an impressive lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that powerfully establishes its presence from the outset. Throughout the film, it maintains exceptional low-end performance and consistent surround activity. The dialogue is generally well-articulated, though voices within the firefighters' sealed helmets may occasionally sound slightly muted, which is fitting given the context. Notably, the mix ensures clear prioritization, although the most intense fire scenes can sometimes come across as chaotic.

The audio format is primarily Cantonese 5.1 DTS-HD MA with supplementary Cantonese 2.0 DTS-HD MA and English subtitles. The dynamic range effectively captures the onscreen events, balancing score, effects, and dialogue well. Although there are moments of blending, individual elements typically stand out clearly. The soundtrack excels at drawing viewers into the action with pronounced low-frequency effects like crashes, explosions, and the impactful thud of axes. Surround sound engagement mainly involves ambient noises and the score, though key action sequences benefit from accurate right/left/center interaction and precise volume placement. Dialogue delivery remains loud, clear, and predominantly anchored to the front channels.

The Blu-ray extras for "As the Light Goes Out" provide a succinct but appealing look into the production and promotional facets of the film. The single trailer provided is presented in high definition and runs for just over two minutes, delivering a polished preview that showcases the movie's intense and emotional themes. While the inclusion of additional featurettes or behind-the-scenes content would have been appreciated, the available content still offers a glimpse of the film's stylistic and narrative elements. However, it is worth noting that some viewers might find the extras section somewhat sparse in comparison to what is typically expected from Blu-ray releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A polished, high-definition preview running 2:04, encapsulating the intense and emotional themes of the film.

"As the Light Goes Out" aims to showcase the valor and struggles of Hong Kong’s firefighters, yet it mixes this premise with rather improbable scenarios. The film opens with an evocative but absurd sequence involving a Jackie Chan commercial for a firefighting career, setting a tone that suggests a serious examination of the profession, only to later indulge in high-octane, CGI-laden sequences reminiscent of video game escapades. While these action set pieces deliver some gripping visuals, their over-the-top nature starkly contrasts with the more grounded, melodramatic aspects of the firefighters' personal struggles.

The storyline primarily follows three young firemen – portrayed by Nicholas Tse, Andy On, and Shawn Yue – who face severe consequences after a tragic miscalculation during a rescue mission. A year after this tragic event, they grapple with a daunting warehouse fire on Christmas Eve, compounded by a series of natural disasters threatening the city. This backdrop provides ample opportunity for some spectacular special effects and intense firefighting sequences, but those alone can’t compensate for the lack of character development and the film’s failure to cohesively intertwine its dramatic arcs.

Ultimately, "As the Light Goes Out" is a film torn between two identities: a potentially insightful drama on the real-life challenges faced by firefighters and an exaggerated action piece with abundant CG spectacle. While it excels in offering eye-catching firefighting scenes, it struggles to fulfill its aim of presenting a heartfelt and profound narrative. The film remains engaging mainly due to its ambitious action sequences, despite their disparity with the initially established tone, making it worth watching for those specific visual thrills.

"As the Light Goes Out" offers a mixed viewing experience primarily aimed at action enthusiasts. Visually, the film excels with impressive pyrotechnic sequences that are sure to captivate fans of the genre. The action scenes are well-constructed, providing some genuinely thrilling moments. However, on a narrative level, the film falls into familiar territory, lacking the depth and intrigue that would elevate it above standard action fare. While it's engaging during high-energy sequences, the overall storyline feels routine and fails to offer any substantial dramatic weight.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray transfer delivers strong visual and audio performance, ensuring that the large-scale fire scenes and explosive action sequences are presented with excellent clarity and impact. However, the disc's offering is somewhat sparse in terms of supplemental material. The inclusion of a trailer as the sole extra is notably disappointing, especially for collectors and those who appreciate behind-the-scenes insights or additional content.

Overall, "As the Light Goes Out" will sufficiently entertain those seeking robust action sequences, but it may not satisfy viewers looking for meaningful drama or innovative storytelling. The Blu-ray’s technical merits are commendable, but the lackluster narrative and absence of noteworthy special features suggest this title is better suited for a cautious rental rather than an outright purchase. Notably, exploring releases in other regions might offer more comprehensively packaged options for those intrigued by the film.