The Ninth Gate Blu-ray Review

The Ninth Gate's Blu-ray presentation is a mixed bag, embodying the early days of high-definition transfers rather than showcasing the polish expected of contemporary releases. Its 1080p/AVC-encoded video often appears murky and undefined, plagued by muddy colors, dull skin tones, and inconsistent black levels, which particularly falter in low-light scenes. The contrast lacks vitality, frequently diminishing the sense of depth and leaving the visuals feeling flat. While there are instances of commendable detail, notably in some close-up shots that surpass the standard DVD quality, overall clarity is compromised by soft edges, waxy textures, and an overuse of noise reduction that blurs finer details, contributing to an occasionally plasticized appearance. These shortcomings likely stem from a combination of directorial choices in cinematography and an overzealous studio effort to clean up the film's grain, which ultimately distracts from Polanski's original vision.

Despite these visual challenges, the Blu-ray transfer is not without its merits. Artifacting, banding, aliasing, and edge enhancement issues are minimal to nonexistent, maintaining a clean image free from common digital annoyances. Additionally, scenes are well-delineated under varying conditions, offering glimpses into the potential of a more carefully handled transfer. However, such positives are overshadowed by the overall lack of refinement and attention to detail that has been afforded to other classics in remastered editions.

In conclusion, The Ninth Gate's video presentation on Blu-ray falls short of delivering the definitive visual experience that fans might have hoped for. It remains encumbered by inconsistencies and missed opportunities for enhancement, rendering it a serviceable but ultimately underwhelming release. This title deserved a more meticulous and respectful update akin to what has been seen in other catalog revivals, which might have liberated it from its "bargain bin" status and repositioned it with the reverence it merits within Polanski's filmography.

"The Ninth Gate" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track that presents a strong but not overly aggressive auditory experience. The audio clarity shines, with dialogue taking a central, focused position, ensuring that every word is discerned with remarkable clarity and the intonations of the actors are well-preserved. This high-resolution treatment extends to the musical scores by Wojciech Kilar, where the gentle yet expressive sounds of clarinets, flutes, and trumpets are given room to breathe, enhancing the film’s atmosphere without overwhelming it. The track exquisitely captures subtle nuances and low-level details, crafting an engaging auditory landscape.

While the soundtrack may not aggressively exploit the surround sound capabilities, its utilization of the entire audio platform contributes to an enriched musical experience and provides effective directional/spatial effects. These elements work together to enhance the dimensionality of scenes and create a stable sound field, albeit with a sound design that some may find a touch dated. The mix leans towards being front-heavy but succeeds in delivering an immersive environment through precise prioritization and directionality. Low frequency effects (LFE) and dynamic range support the track judiciously, adding depth where necessary but not dominating the soundscape, particularly during Polanski's more intense chase sequences.

Despite a somewhat conservative approach to rear speaker activity, which feels underutilized save for key atmospheric moments like the film's climax, the overall sound presentation remains competent. Though it might not reach the palpitating depths some enthusiasts might expect from a 7.1 setup, the mix effectively balances power in low-end frequencies with a meticulous reproduction of sonic nuances, ensuring that both dialogue and score are delivered with finesse. In sum, "The Ninth Gate's" audio presentation respects the film's nuanced ambiance, making it a solid albeit unspectacular auditory experience that complements Polanski's vision.

The Blu-ray release of "The Ninth Gate" presents a mixed bag of extras that leave much to be desired except for the insightful audio commentary by director Roman Polanski. Polanski's commentary is a standout, offering a deeper dive into the making of the film, from its conception to its execution, touching on casting, stylistic choices, and his personal insights, making it a worthy listen for fans. However, the rest of the special features seem lackluster in comparison. The featurette is disappointingly brief and superficial, barely scratching the surface of the film’s rich production history. The storyboard selections, while potentially interesting, suffer from a cumbersome navigation system, and the Gallery of Satanic Drawings feels like a minimal effort to add more content. The theatrical trailers, presented in standard definition, do little to enhance the overall package, highlighting a missed opportunity to provide a more substantial look behind the scenes of this enigmatic film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Roman Polanski: A dive into Polanski's thoughts and experiences during the film's production.
• Original Featurette: A quick glimpse into the making of the movie, lacking depth.
• Storyboard Selections: Screenshots paired with screenplay excerpts, hindered by a tricky navigation interface.
• Gallery of Satanic Drawings: A collection of thematic artwork relevant to the film's satanic elements.
• Bookmark Feature: Allows viewers to mark favorite scenes for easy return.
• Theatrical Trailers: A couple of promotional trailers for the film.

"The Ninth Gate," directed by the controversial but undeniably talented Roman Polanski, presents a cinematic journey that both intrigues and fumbles, showcasing Johnny Depp in a role that epitomizes his ability to carry a film with subtlety and depth. Depp embodies Dean Corso, a rare-book dealer entangled in a satanic plot that is as enigmatic as it is dangerous. The film, adapted from Arturo Pérez-Reverte's novel, navigates through the shadows of a world where ancient manuscripts hold the key to summoning the Devil. Despite its rich premise, the movie struggles with execution, particularly in its pacing and dialogue, which ranges from stilted to absurdly eccentric—elements that detract from the film's potential depth.

Polanski's ambition crafts moments of genuine suspense and character-driven intrigue, particularly in the first half where the focus on rare book collecting meshes surprisingly well with a building sense of dread. Yet, as Corso delves deeper into the mystery of "The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows," the narrative stumbles into cliché-ridden territory, culminating in a third act that feels both predictable and unsatisfying. The supporting cast, led by Frank Langella's delightfully over-the-top performance, provides moments of levity, though often at the expense of consistency in tone. Despite these shortcomings, Depp’s portrayal stands out—his nuanced, restrained approach grants Corso a compelling presence that keeps the viewer anchored amidst the surrounding chaos.

Ultimately, "The Ninth Gate" is emblematic of Polanski's lesser works, yet it distinguishes itself with pockets of brilliance that hint at what could have been. While the film fails to fully capitalize on its intriguing premise and devolves into genre tropes and an overindulgence in satanic eccentricities, it manages to offer an engaging experience, especially for those with tempered expectations. It serves as a testament to Depp’s skillful performance and Polanski's flawed but fascinating vision, making it a piece that, despite its imperfections, is worth watching for enthusiasts of the genre looking for something different from Hollywood's typical fare.

"The Ninth Gate," a film that challenges genre conventions with its unique blend, offers an interesting mix of intrigue and performance, yet it doesn't seem to fully capitalize on its potential, particularly in its Blu-ray presentation. Starring Johnny Depp and Lena Olin, the movie itself navigates through an absorbing plot with commendable performances, marking it as more than just an average cinematic experience. The high definition audio/video quality from LionsGate Blu-ray is notedly superior to its 2007 DVD release, promising an enhanced viewing experience for the audience. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track is particularly impressive, ensuring a sound quality that complements the film's eerie ambiance.

However, the transition to Blu-ray is not without its shortcomings. Critics point out the video transfer as being somewhat lackluster despite being an upgrade over the standard DVD quality, a sentiment that dampens the overall excitement for this release. Furthermore, the additional content mirrors that of the previous DVD release without offering anything new or exclusive to this version, leaving fans wanting more from the supplemental package. While it stands as an improvement, the Blu-ray edition of "The Ninth Gate" finds itself caught in a limbo of being appreciably better than its DVD counterpart yet not reaching the heights one might expect from a high definition upgrade.

In conclusion, "The Ninth Gate" Blu-ray offers a mix of highs and lows. Its audio presentation shines, providing an immersive experience that bolsters the film’s atmospheric mystery. Yet, its visuals and bonus content don’t quite meet the mark, aspiring for an excellence that feels just out of reach. For enthusiasts of Polanski or Depp, this release is worth exploring, perhaps more as a rental than a purchase. It holds enough merit to warrant attention but with tempered expectations, serving as a reminder of the film's polarizing place within cinema lore.