Dare Blu-ray Review
Score: 50
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Dare offers a refreshing substance in the teen drama genre, but its Blu-ray pales with muddy visuals and poor audio, making it rental material at best.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 50
The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer for "Dare" on Blu-ray is disappointingly weak, marred by chunky grain, noticeable softness, and absent fine detail, making it barely distinguishable from a DVD. While colors are somewhat vibrant, black levels and contrast suffer significant issues, with technical glitches further detracting from the visual experience.
Audio: 53
Dare's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is dialogue-centric, with crisp and clear vocals but minimal use of surround channels, resulting in a lack of immersive sound design. Environmental ambience and LFE are scarce, with music delivering some low-end kick but overall underwhelming audio performance.
Extra: 53
"Dare" Blu-ray extras provide insightful commentary and thematic discourse by director Adam Salky and writer David Brind, the foundational short film, deleted scenes that illustrate pacing decisions, Emmy Rossum's intense audition, and the theatrical trailer, all in standard definition.
Movie: 55
"Dare" is a nuanced exploration of adolescent sexuality, void of typical clichés, featuring a divisive love triangle between Alexa, Ben, and Johnny. The film delves deeply into the complexities of teen emotions and identity, with standout performances by Emmy Rossum and Zach Gilford, though occasionally hampered by rushed character development and strained dialogue.
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Video: 50
The Blu-ray presentation of "Dare" underperforms significantly in terms of video quality, failing to harness the full potential of the 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer. The film's inherently low budget and probable use of 16mm film, along with subpar lenses, contribute to a noticeably grainy and soft visual experience. Fine details are virtually non-existent, with textures appearing muted, edges blunt, and facial features smoothened excessively. Unlike typical DNR issues, this softness is inherent, exacerbated by a thick grain field dominating the picture.
Contrast is inconsistent, and black levels frequently result in crushed shadow details, further detracting from what should be a high-definition experience. Color saturation fares slightly better; the red stage curtains, intense blues in Johnny's pool room, and the pink tones surrounding Alexa are rendered reasonably well. Yet, issues persist with banding and pixilation, and a particularly jarring glitch at the 44:58 mark introduces distracting horizontal lines.
In comparison to its theatrical showing at Sundance, where the film looked far superior even on a gigantic screen, the Blu-ray transfer is remarkably inferior. Shadows swallow substantial detail, especially during darker scenes, and the contrast missteps render parts of the image unintelligible, such as faces blending into white backgrounds. Colors appear bland and lack the vibrancy expected from a high-definition format. The overall viewing experience suggests a heavily compromised transfer that fails to distinguish itself from a standard DVD, marked by technical anomalies like aliasing and color banding that degrade the already lackluster presentation.
Audio: 53
The audio presentation of "Dare" on Blu-ray is perceptively underwhelming, marked by its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. As a dialogue-driven teen drama, the front channels dominate the sound experience while the surround channels remain largely dormant, only occasionally emitting sporadic music cues. While one might expect immersive environmental ambiances during scenes such as the pool or a bustling party, these are glaringly absent, rendering the overall auditory experience flat and unengaging.
Despite this, dialogue clarity remains a standout with crisp, clean delivery and no discernible dropouts. However, it should be noted that in more subdued scenes, the dialogue can sound muted, necessitating manual volume adjustments for optimal comprehension. The soundtrack features sporadic hip-hop tracks and other music with a respectable balance of low-end kick and high-end punch. Unfortunately, the LFE is disappointingly minimal, rarely producing impactful bass when called for. Moreover, the rare moments where sounds emanate from the surround channels tend to feel contrived and artificial rather than naturally immersive.
In summary, while the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track manages to deliver clear dialogue and moderately dynamic music, it falls short of leveraging the surround capabilities to create a truly engaging and enveloping soundscape.
Extra: 53
The Blu-ray edition of "Dare" includes a range of bonus features providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the film. The commentary by director Adam Salky and writer David Brind stands out for its rich thematic insights and the evident camaraderie between the duo, reflecting their long collaboration. The "Dare" short film, comprising a pivotal scene between Ben and Johnny, serves as a fascinating look at the project's origin, though it's less impactful without the broader context of the feature. Additionally, deleted scenes with optional commentary illustrate narrative pacing adjustments, while Emmy Rossum's audition offers an intimate, albeit occasionally awkward, glimpse into her casting process. Completing the extras, the trailer provides a succinct overview of the film's tone and storyline.
Extras included in this disc:
- Commentary by Director Adam Salky and Writer David Brind: In-depth thematic insights and collaborative camaraderie.
- Dare Short: The original short film featuring the key poolroom scene.
- Deleted Scenes: Includes "Alexa Relaxes" and "A Tense Threesome," with optional commentary.
- Emmy Rossum's Audition: Close-range footage of Emmy Rossum's casting audition.
- Trailer: Theatrical trailer of the film.
Movie: 55
"Dare" serves as a refreshing and nuanced exploration of teenage sexuality, breaking away from the typical adolescent tropes often found in Hollywood. The film delves into the genuine and sometimes awkward complexities of coming-of-age, tackling real emotions and situations that many other teen dramas shy away from. Adapted from a 16-minute student film, writer David Brind and director Adam Salky expand the story to feature length, avoiding clichéd stereotypes and addressing authentic teenage problems with candor and empathy. The film's tripartite structure provides unique perspectives from each of the three main characters, enhancing the depth and believability of their experiences.
The storyline follows three high school seniors: Alexa (Emmy Rossum), Johnny (Zach Gilford), and Ben (Ashley Springer). Alexa embarks on a personal transformation from a studious girl to someone exploring her sexual identity, spurred by an intense critique from a seasoned actor played briefly but memorably by Alan Cumming. Johnny, the popular but internally troubled jock, navigates his insecurities masked by a façade of confidence. Ben faces the confusion of his emerging sexuality and infatuation with Johnny. The love triangle among these characters is handled with a rare maturity and sensitivity, reflecting real teenage fears, vulnerabilities, and emotional struggles.
Performance-wise, Zach Gilford stands out with a subtle yet compelling portrayal of Johnny’s layered character. Emmy Rossum captures Alexa's naivety and newfound boldness adeptly, although her character development feels somewhat rushed. Ashley Springer's portrayal of Ben is credible as the awkward and loyal friend, though his immediate post-coming-out behavior seems slightly over-exaggerated. Despite some uneven moments in character progression and dialogue, the film's strengths lie in its honest depiction of teenage angst and sexuality. By daring to tread on sensitive terrain without succumbing to sensationalism, "Dare" gives viewers an insightful look at the multifaceted world of adolescence.
Total: 50
"Dare" is a refreshing take on the high school drama genre, offering a storyline that dives into the complexities of teenage sexuality and identity. The film distinguishes itself from typical Hollywood fare by providing substance and depth in its character development. However, the production quality does have noticeable shortcomings—the script appears somewhat rough, and the performances feel unpolished. These elements, while not detracting from the film’s overall message, do leave room for improvement.
The Blu-ray presentation of "Dare" is unfortunately subpar. The picture quality is unremarkable, plagued by a softness and roughness that mar the viewing experience. Additionally, the sound design falls short, with a hushed and canned audio that fails to enhance the film's nuanced moments. This technical inadequacy significantly detracts from what could have been a more immersive home viewing experience.
In conclusion, "Dare" is an ambitious film that stands out in its portrayal of teenage issues. However, the lackluster Blu-ray presentation does not do justice to the film’s merits. This release fails to capitalize on the benefits of high-definition and does not provide an experience worthy of purchase. As a result, I recommend renting "Dare" rather than adding it to your collection.
Blu-ray.com review by Casey BroadwaterRead review here
Video: 50
Thankfully, color saturation proves better, with the red stage curtains, the intense blues of Johnny's pool room, and the pinks that almost constantly surround Alexa all looking quite nice....
Audio: 60
This is a talky teen drama, and as such, the front channels dominate, leaving naught for the surround speakers to do but pump out the occasional piece of music....
Extras: 40
Commentary by Director Adam Salky and Writer David Brind It's clear that Salky and Brind are friends�they finished the short film version of Dare while studying together at Columbia�and so this track is...
Movie: 50
And that's what Dare is all about; it explores the seamier conflicts of body and mind that inevitably arise in high school, though it often takes these themes to a credulity-stretching extreme....
Total: 50
It is unusual to see a film about teenagers that deals so matter-of-factly with issues of sexuality and identity, but at the same time, the production as a whole is a little rough around the edges....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 40
I preface this section with this statement: When I saw this film at Sundance, in a theater that holds over 1,600 people, sitting a few rows away from the gigantic screen, this movie did not EVER look this...
Audio: 40
There's nothing there of consequence, and when a sound or two bleeds out from the surround channels it sounds forced and unnatural....
Extras: 60
It's also interesting to note that the Ben/Johnny storyline is the most engaging one in the film, and it's easy to see why....
Movie: 60
While I think that many films out there use the rich kid syndrome – you know, when the kid has tons of money, but just has no love – too much, I think 'Dare' balances it very well....
Total: 40
It isn't perfect by any means, but it's a nice departure from the same old stuff Hollywood keeps throwing at us....
Director: Adam Salky
Actors: Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer
PlotIn an affluent suburban high school, three students find their lives entangled as they push the boundaries of their emotions and desires. Alexa, an ambitious and serious actress, yearns for more than her safe and controlled existence. She is determined to experience new depths of life and throws herself into risky situations to find a deeper sense of self. Johnny, a rich and brooding loner with a troubled past, becomes her focal point. Alexa's obsession with understanding Johnny leads her into a complex relationship that challenges her perceptions of love, friendship, and her own identity.
Additionally, Ben, Alexa's best friend who harbors secret feelings for her, becomes inadvertently drawn into the whirlwind of Alexa's transformative experiences. His involvement exposes him to unexpected desires and insecurities, particularly as he grapples with his own hidden yearnings and the ever-changing dynamics between the trio. The push-and-pull relationships between Alexa, Johnny, and Ben evolve, compelling each of them to confront their fears and uncertainties. As they navigate the aching and exhilarating trials of youth, the impact of their choices reverberates through their lives, bringing them face-to-face with the raw truths of who they are and who they aim to become.
Writers: David Brind
Release Date: 05 May 2011
Runtime: 92 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English