On the Job Blu-ray Review

Well Go USA presents "On the Job" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The video quality showcases exceptional handling of the Philippines' vibrant palettes, from lush greens in rural landscapes to the dynamic neon hues of the city. The film’s reliance on handheld camerawork introduces a certain level of perceived softness in many scenes, which, combined with low-contrast and low-light filming techniques, can obscure details in darker sequences. This stylistic choice enhances the film's eerie atmosphere but can occasionally result in characters disappearing into the shadows.

Despite these challenges, the transfer effectively navigates night scenes and shadowy environments, offering high contrast levels that maintain robust black levels and excellent shadow delineation without any issues of crush or banding. The environment details, facial features, and clothing textures are rendered with impressive clarity. Some scenes feature a sickly green-yellow tint, likely a creative decision made during color grading, which slightly diminishes fine detail. Yet, this transfer remains a visually compelling experience.

In summary, "On the Job" boasts a striking visual presentation that highlights both brightly lit and dimly lit environments with commendable precision. With only minor instances where haze affects fine detail and occasional color inconsistencies, it stands as a solid transfer by Well Go USA, maintaining high standards for Blu-ray excellence.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "On the Job" delivers a highly immersive audio experience, particularly during key scenes such as the chaotic street festival and the intense hospital showdown. These sequences are brought to life with dynamic and well-balanced soundscaping that maximizes the spatial capabilities of the 5.1 mix. The dialogue is crisply presented, staying clear and intelligible throughout, which is crucial for maintaining emotional resonance and narrative clarity, especially with the film's native Filipino dialogue.

Atmospheric elements and sound effects are meticulously distributed across the soundstage. Gunfire and action sequences benefit from a robust LFE presence, adding impactful depth without overwhelming other elements. The score, while powerful and resonant, is thoughtfully balanced to avoid overshadowing critical audio components. Ambient sounds effectively utilize the rear channels, enhancing the immersive experience without causing auditory competition.

Overall, the audio presentation of "On the Job" is a technically proficient component that significantly contributes to the film's storytelling, ensuring both clarity and intensity where required. The dynamic range is impressively wide, accommodating both the subtle and explosive aspects of the sound design seamlessly.

The Extras on the Blu-Ray for "On the Job" provide a mix of insights, albeit with varying depth and engagement. The "Making Of" featurette offers a standard, cursory view behind the scenes, including actor interviews and production clips, delivering minimal new insights but still potentially enjoyable for dedicated fans. The "Deleted Scenes" offer a substantial 38-minute collection highlighting Sergeant Acosta's character development, though some scenes were rightly cut to maintain the film’s emotional impact. The inclusion of the "Trailer" provides a high-definition preview of the film, albeit with minimal added value. Overall, while these extras aren't groundbreaking, they serve as a reasonable companion for fans looking to delve a bit deeper into the making and narrative expansions of "On the Job."

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Of: Standard behind-the-scenes footage with actor interviews.
• Deleted Scenes: Extended scenes focusing on Sergeant Acosta's character development.
• Trailer: High-definition trailer of the film.

"On the Job" is a gripping Filipino crime thriller that demands patience and rewards it richly with an intricate, morally complex narrative. Directed by Erik Matti, the film starts with a bang—a public assassination carried out by convicts Mario “Tatang” Maghari (Joel Torre) and Daniel Benitez (Gerald Anderson). The opening sequence is shot with handheld cameras, lending a raw, quasi-verité authenticity that sets the tone for the entire movie. This visceral approach immediately pulls you into the chaotic lives of the protagonists while raising more questions than it answers, compelling the audience to stay engaged as the plot unfolds meticulously.

The film deftly intertwines the lives of these hitmen with those of policemen Francis Coronel Jr. (Piolo Pascual) and Joaquin Acosta (Joey Marquez), slowly revealing a broader conspiracy involving top echelons of government. The convicts are released temporarily to carry out hits, returning to prison thereafter, thus providing a seeming alibi. This setup showcases the film's thematic underpinnings—deep-seated corruption and the moral ambiguities that plague both sides of the law. Tatang's precarious home life juxtaposed with Francis' ethical dilemmas adds layers to the narrative, making it as emotionally compelling as it is thrilling.

Erik Matti’s direction keeps the momentum through handheld camerawork that enhances the film's urgency and realism. The prison scenes are particularly effective in painting a bleak yet grimly authentic picture of overcrowded, dehumanizing conditions. The narrative gains clarity around the halfway mark when the deeply rooted corruption is unveiled, revealing that criminal activities involve high-ranking officials, including Francis' father-in-law. This complex web of deceit and moral compromise underscores the narrative's sophistication without sacrificing its primary objective: to entertain. "On the Job" balances its dark themes with pockets of hope, ensuring that even amidst pervasive cynicism, the story resonates profoundly with its audience.

"On the Job" is a riveting crime-thriller that stands out in the genre, combining intense performances with sharp, original storytelling. The movie explores the gritty underworld of crime with a meticulous eye, reminiscent of classics like "The Departed." Director Erik Matti crafts a film that is both evocative and unique, managing to interweave familiar elements with his distinctive vision. The Blu-ray presentation excels in delivering great picture quality and immersive sound, enhancing the viewers' experience markedly.

However, the film's frenetic camera style and some scenes' visual obscurity can detract from the overall experience. While this dynamic shooting technique adds a layer of raw intensity, it occasionally makes it challenging to follow the action. Despite this, the uniformly stellar performances anchor the narrative firmly, drawing viewers into its cynical yet compelling world.

For those with the patience to let this film set its fairly opaque pieces on the board, "On the Job" ends up delivering a fantastically exciting experience. Performances are uniformly excellent, but the film is hampered somewhat by its frenetic camera style and Matti's tendency to shoot under conditions where things can't really be adequately seen. Recommended.