Prince Avalanche Blu-ray Review

"Prince Avalanche" delivers an exceptional 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation, meticulously crafted from digital photography using the Arri Alexa. Cinematographer Tim Orr collaborates brilliantly with director David Gordon Green, culminating in a visually captivating experience. The picture quality stands out with its crisp clarity and plentiful detail, underscored by excellent black levels and a vibrant color palette. This results in images where the earthy tones of the regenerating forest beautifully contrast with the vivid red, white, and blue wardrobe choices of the characters. Despite minor issues such as occasional video noise and banding during dissolves to black, these imperfections do little to detract from the overall visual feast provided by Magnolia Home Entertainment.

The average bitrate for "Prince Avalanche" is a generous 29.94 Mbps, ensuring that the video presentation remains consistently impressive. Most scenes are shot during the captivating twilight hours, offering beautiful shots where even the darkest, murky waters reveal intricate details like floating particles. This high level of detail extends to skin textures, highlighting features like follicles, tiny hairs, and pores without encountering common Blu-ray artifacts like aliasing. Colorization is another standout feature; even under dull, gray skies, the bright primary colors of road markers and worker uniforms burst vividly against the re-emerging greenery. Except for a slightly blown-out shot around minute 25 and minor banding in a few twilight scenes, the presentation holds up remarkably well, demonstrating Magnolia’s commitment to superior digital transfers.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray of "Prince Avalanche" delivers a commendable experience, especially considering its indie roots. Presented in lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1, the track provides clear and well-rendered dialogue throughout. The film, set entirely within a natural environment, makes subtle use of the multi-channel system, effectively using ambient nature sounds such as distant creeks, light drizzles, and nocturnal crickets to create an immersive experience. Sounds such as approaching vehicles and birds provide great directional effects without overshadowing the primary audio elements.

The outstanding feature of this mix lies in its handling of the soundtrack. The evocative and soulful music by Explosions in the Sky and David Wingo is seamlessly integrated into the film, enhancing its mood and emotional tone. Music sequences are finely balanced against other sound elements, ensuring that they leave a lasting impression on the viewer. The occasional montage sequences featuring music are particularly impactful, showcasing how well the audio supports the visual storytelling.

Vocals are consistently well-mixed against background elements, maintaining clarity even during scenes with potential audio challenges. For example, despite loud machinery noise from a painting machine, the dialogue remains intelligible and distinct. There are minor flaws, such as occasional instances of slightly distorted or blown-out heightened dialogue, but these are rare and do not significantly detract from the overall audio quality. Overall, the Blu-ray’s DTS-HD MA 5.1 track offers a rich auditory experience that complements the film's visual and narrative elements effectively.

The Blu-ray extras of "Prince Avalanche" offer a robust look behind the scenes, though some content may feel redundant given the repetition across features. The commentary with David Gordon Green, Hugo Garza, and Paul Logan is insightful at moments but marred by long stretches of irrelevance. The deleted scene and various interviews, particularly with Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch, inject a more relaxed vibe amid the otherwise straightforward features. Featurettes like "From the Ashes" offer compelling insights into the film's unique production background. While the technical production details are well-captured across these extras, viewers seeking deep exploration of film themes might find the content wanting.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director David Gordon Green, Set Production Assistant Hugo Garza and Talent Driver Paul Logan: Offers detailed production process insights, albeit slightly unstructured.
• Deleted Scene: Do the Dance: Brief and amusing moment with Lance showcasing his dance skills.
• Paul & Emile: Actors and producers discuss character development and relationships.
• From the Ashes: Explores the 2011 Bastrop fires, adaptation from Icelandic film, and independent filmmaking.
• Lance LeGault: Testimonials about the memorable actor who passed shortly after filming.
• Interview with Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch: Casual and humorous interview footage.
• Interview with Writer/Director David Gordon Green: Summarizes Green's perspectives on the film.
• AXS TV: A Look at Prince Avalanche: Promo combining clips and interviews.
• Theatrical Trailer: Emphasizes the film's absurdist comedy elements.

In "Prince Avalanche," director David Gordon Green returns to his independent roots with an adaptation of the obscure Icelandic film "Either Way." Green's minimalist approach is evident in this stripped-down project, shot over just 16 days with a tiny cast and crew. Set in Bastrop State Park, Texas, the location’s haunting post-fire landscape lends a surreal sense of dislocation, perfectly aligning with the film's 1988 setting. Green captures an exploration of oddball characters over plot-driven mechanics, allowing the natural environment and character interactions to define the narrative.

The film stars Paul Rudd as Alvin, an uptight man who enjoys isolation and self-sufficiency, and Emile Hirsch as Lance, his hormonally driven, socially inept assistant. Their job of repainting highway lines in a burnt-out forest serves as more than just a backdrop; it’s a canvas for their evolving relationship. Rudd's portrayal of Alvin’s stoic façade contrasts sharply with Hirsch’s portrayal of Lance’s naiveté, creating a captivating dynamic. The interactions between Alvin and Lance reveal their vulnerabilities and strengths, while Green’s direction allows their characters to naturally evolve without forcing the narrative.

Supporting characters add depth to the narrative without overshadowing the leads. The late Lance LeGault makes a brief but impactful appearance as a wise truck driver, dispensing cryptic life advice that adds layers to the characters' introspections. Equally intriguing is the unscripted scene featuring Joyce Payne, an elderly woman searching through the remains of her burnt home. This emotionally impactful moment emphasizes Green's skill in capturing raw, authentic interactions and adds a layer of surrealism to the film. "Prince Avalanche" is not merely about its limited plot but about the deeper, often ambiguous human experiences it portrays.

David Gordon Green's Prince Avalanche is a cinematic anomaly that marries quirky humor with heartfelt meditations in a way that may surprise audiences familiar only with Green's more mainstream comedies like Pineapple Express or the series Eastbound & Down. Described by some as wandering a winding path with an uncertain destination, this film sets a distinctive pace that oscillates between hypnotic and soporific. The Blu-ray release of Prince Avalanche offers top-notch video and audio quality, reflecting the meticulously crafted visual and auditory experience intrinsic to the film's storytelling. Additionally, even though it's a low-budget indie film, the Blu-ray includes a commendable array of special features, enhancing its value proposition.

At the start of every year, many viewers find themselves overwhelmed by the barrage of Oscar hopefuls and mainstream holiday releases. These often leave audiences yearning for a palate cleanser—something refreshing and different. Prince Avalanche, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, serves precisely this need. It offers a unique antidote to cinematic fatigue through its offbeat charm and compelling performances by Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch. The film’s distinct characters and scenarios, imbued with a blend of humor and poignancy, make it a novel viewing experience that stands out from the crowd.

Green’s style of filmmaking isn't for everyone. If all you've seen are his more commercial ventures, Prince Avalanche will be an entirely different experience—one where the narrative meanders thoughtfully rather than racing towards a climax. Therefore, on its technical merits alone, the Blu-ray comes recommended, but viewers should approach the content knowing it ventures into more idiosyncratic territory. Given its unique character and format, it is advisable to rent before deciding on a purchase. Ultimately, if you appreciate indie-flavored comedies with heart and depth, Prince Avalanche is well worth your time.