I.T. Blu-ray Review
Score: 57
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
Despite Pierce Brosnan's efforts and a solid A/V presentation on Blu-ray, 'I.T.' is hampered by clichés and lacks compelling bonus features.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 68
I.T. on Blu-ray delivers a rock solid 2.35:1 1080p transfer with plentiful detail and solid black levels, though the muted color palette and cloudy Irish locations result in a less vibrant but technically sound presentation with an average bitrate of 20.02 Mbps.
Audio: 75
The robust English DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack of 'I.T.' provides immersive audio with a wide dynamic range, clear dialogue, and intense action sequences, effectively highlighting the film’s digital ambiance and maintaining clarity throughout.
Extra: 16
The Blu-ray extras for 'I.T.' include an 8-minute behind-the-scenes featurette with standard EPK interviews and a high-definition photo gallery, alongside introductory trailers for several other films.
Movie: 33
'I.T.' attempts to blend a family stalker thriller with tech paranoia but falters due to underdeveloped characters, laughable security premises, and clichéd technological elements. Despite Pierce Brosnan's presence and a promising concept, the film's lack of originality and clumsy execution make it a tedious watch.
Video: 68
The Blu-ray presentation of "I.T." offers a 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer that maintains a professional and engaging visual clarity. The digitally sourced material is delivered with an average bitrate of 20.02 Mbps, ensuring a consistent level of detail throughout. Despite being filmed in Ireland, which occasionally detracts from the nominal D.C. setting, the imagery remains crisp and clear. The digital cinematography by Ekkehart Pollack effectively captures the production design's nuances, particularly Ed's cyber-stalker home base, which appears visually compelling.
However, the visual presentation is not without its shortcomings. The use of drab and overcast filming locations in Ireland results in a color palette that leans heavily towards steely grey and green hues, giving an overall muted tone to the film. While black levels are solid with no crush issues, there is a noticeable lack of depth in several scenes. This color grading choice also affects flesh tones, which often appear sickly and pale, though this seems to be an intentional artistic decision rather than a flaw in the transfer.
Audio: 75
The audio presentation of "I.T." on Blu Ray features a robust English DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack that effectively captures the film's digital and technological ambiance. The mix excels in creating an immersive environment with detailed soundscapes, ranging from the subtle hum of computers to more intense sequences involving dynamic car crashes and storms. Notably, the fight scenes and action sequences are delivered with wide dynamic range and impressive intensity, allowing the viewer to be fully enveloped in the on-screen action. The soundtrack also incorporates Tim Williams' generic thriller score, helping to heighten the film’s suspense.
Throughout the film, dialogue reproduction is consistently clear and precise, ensuring that speech remains intelligible against the backdrop of sounds and music. In the quieter parts of the movie, the sound mix utilizes spacious silence effectively, making room for electronic noises such as typing and digital beeps to stand out, contributing to the thematic atmosphere. As the narrative progresses towards more action-heavy scenes, the audio retains its quality and continuity, offering an immersive experience with solid imaging and a sense of spatial movement as various sound elements traverse the screen.
All in all, while "I.T." might be a relatively subdued thriller in terms of content, its DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track provides an engaging and technically sound auditory experience that enhances the film’s overall impact.
Extras: 16
The extras included in the Blu-ray of "I.T." offer a range of insightful and supplemental content to enhance your viewing experience. The highlight is the "Behind the Scenes of I.T.," an eight-minute featurette delivered in 1080p resolution and a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, providing engaging interview snippets with the cast and crew. Despite its brevity, it serves well as an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) with standard interviews covering character motivations and production insights. Accompanying the featurette is a high-definition collection of production stills in the Photo Gallery. Additionally, introductory trailers for other thriller films, including "Criminal Activities," "Rage," "Devil's Knot," and "The Numbers Station," offer entertaining previews in crisp HD quality.
Extras included in this disc:
- Behind the Scenes of I.T.: Engaging EPK interview featurette.
- Photo Gallery: High-definition collection of production stills.
- Introductory Trailers: Previews for Criminal Activities, Rage, Devil's Knot, and The Numbers Station.
Movie: 33
"I.T." is a fundamentally flawed film grappling unsuccessfully with the cyber thriller genre. The story centers on billionaire entrepreneur Mike Regan, played by Pierce Brosnan, who unwittingly invites a sociopathic I.T. specialist, Ed Porter (James Frecheville), into his high-tech home and private life. Director John Moore, whose track record includes other disappointing works like A Good Day to Die Hard, can't seem to bring the script by Dan Kay and William Wisher to life. The plot rushes through pivotal events, failing to build any credible tension or character depth. The idea of leveraging modern technological vulnerabilities for suspense is promising but is poorly executed. Brosnan's character, despite his supposed business acumen, makes baffling decisions that wouldn’t convince a discerning audience.
The character development within "I.T." is another significant lapse. Both Brosnan’s Mike and Frecheville’s Ed come off as one-dimensional sketches. Mike's quick trust in Ed feels implausible, and Ed's supposed menace is delivered so heavy-handedly it borders on parody. The only saving grace appears in the final act when Michael Nyqvist’s Henrik steps in with palpable charisma, although it's too little too late for the film. Additionally, the movie’s understanding of technology seems superficial and often inaccurate, as it relies on clichéd and misrepresented technical elements which diminish its believability.
In conclusion, "I.T." fails to hit essential plot benchmarks and instead falls into trite genre cliches. Despite having competent actors and an intriguing premise, it lacks the nuance necessary for a compelling narrative. The film neither offers genuine suspense nor a satisfying engagement with its technological themes, resulting in a lackluster viewing experience.
Total: 57
“I.T.” arrives on Blu-ray with a solid audio-visual presentation, yet it struggles to break free from the confines of derivative storytelling. Pierce Brosnan delivers a commendably strong performance, but even his charisma can’t elevate the film above its predictable and formulaic plot. The narrative, centered around a tech-expert turning against his employer, lacks the originality to stand out in the crowded techno-thriller genre. The film leans heavily on cliches and familiar tropes, leaving viewers yearning for the innovation and tension that defines superior entries in this category.
On a technical front, the Blu-ray impresses with robust audio and video quality. The picture clarity is exceptional, offering a crisp and detailed presentation that amplifies the sleek, digital world “I.T.” tries to immerse us in. The sound design complements the visual experience well, with clear dialogue and an immersive soundscape. However, this high-quality A/V packaging is undermined by the sparse bonus features. Fans of behind-the-scenes content and insightful extras will find little to satiate their curiosity here, making the overall offering feel somewhat incomplete.
It’s unfortunate that “I.T.” is so lacking, because it was the last project by Brosnan's producing partner, Beau St. Clair, to whom a dedication appears in the end credits. St. Clair worked with Brosnan on "The Thomas Crown Affair," "Evelyn," and "The Matador," and she deserves a better epitaph. Despite the evident effort put into its production, “I.T.” fails to make a significant impact and offers little in terms of rewatch value or engaging content. While the Blu-ray format does justice to the film’s technical aspects, the movie itself does not offer enough to warrant a recommendation.
Blu-ray.com review by Michael ReubenRead review here
Video: 80
Detail is plentiful, blacks are solid, and the image has the crisp, clear sheen of digital technology....
Audio: 80
Several action sequences display wide dynamic range and furious intensity, including an overwrought car crash and a fight that occurs in a howling storm....
Extras: 30
...
Movie: 30
(Watch The Guest for a recent example of how to depict a psycho ingratiating himself with strangers in a manner that's both convincing and creepy.)...
Total: 40
It's unfortunate that I.T. is so lacking, because it was the last project by Brosnan's producing partner, Beau St. Clair, to whom a dedication appears in the end credits....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Black levels are also pretty decent without any crush issues to report, but at the same time, the image lacks a lot of depth in a number of scenes....
Audio: 80
As the film progresses the mix becomes more action-heavy and front loaded but several sequences provide a strong and present sense of immersion and imaging as object move about the screen....
Extras: 0
This is your tried and true EPK interview material, really nothing substantive beyond the cursory "this is what attracted me to the film" or the "my characters is yada-yada-yada" material....
Movie: 20
While James does what he can with the material, his character is pretty boring by-the-numbers creepy obsessive; the sort of stereotype you picture living in their parent's basement who wastes their life...
Total: 40
Given the talent involved with 'I.T.,' I was a bit excited to see what this techno-thriller could do....
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 80
Audio: 100
Extras: 10
Movie: 60
Total: 70
Director: John Moore
Actors: Pierce Brosnan, Jason Barry, Karen Moskow
PlotMike Regan is a successful aviation tycoon who lives a picture-perfect life with his family in their state-of-the-art smart home. He is close to securing a lucrative new deal that would cement his business reputation. During a major presentation, he experiences a technical glitch and is subsequently rescued by Ed Porter, a young and savvy IT consultant. Grateful, Mike befriends Ed and invites him into his private life, impressed by his skills and potential for helping streamline his company's impending digital transformations. Mike consistently turns to Ed for technical support and also introduces him to his family, overlooking Ed's increasingly invasive behavior.
As Ed grows more entangled in the Regan family's affairs, his seemingly benign interest subtly shifts into an ominous obsession. When Mike attempts to distance himself from Ed due to his unsettling behavior, Ed uses his technological know-how to launch a sinister campaign against Mike and his loved ones. Utilizing his deep access into their connected devices and data, Ed's actions escalate to a chilling cyber-stalking spree that puts the family's privacy and safety at serious risk. The tension mounts as technology becomes both a weapon and a shield in this high-stakes battle of wits, forcing Mike to confront the vulnerabilities of the digital age to protect everything he holds dear.
Writers: Dan Kay, William Wisher
Release Date: 23 Sep 2016
Runtime: 95 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Ireland, United States, France
Language: English