Terminal Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Terminal" showcases a deliberate decision to frame the film at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, deviating from its original 2.39:1 ratio. This choice enhances the vertical dimension of the vast sets, though it remains a contentious alteration for purists who prefer the director's intended framing. The film's cinematography by Christopher Ross captures a riot of vibrant, fluorescent colors, with a pronounced emphasis on intense reds and neon hues that define the visual style of the fictitious city. The detailed closeups stand out brilliantly against a backdrop often shrouded in alternating darkness and neon glare, reminiscent of a vivid graphic novel.

Technically, the video quality is mostly commendable, with superb clarity and sharpness levels that convey the movie's stylistic depth effectively. The Blu-ray manages to handle the complex visuals well, despite having an average bitrate of 19.99 Mbps on a BD-25 disc. Unfortunately, this does lead to some minor but noticeable issues such as occasional banding and subtle background noise, particularly in scenes with high color complexity. These artifacts are likely due to overcompression and could have been mitigated with a BD-50 disc for more ample storage. Black levels are robust with infrequent crush, and while depth is potent, rudimentary details are occasionally softly resolved, maintaining the intended atmospheric haze.

In summation, "Terminal's" Blu-ray delivers a faithfully intense color palette punctuated by striking detail and contrasts that effectively capture its neo-noir aesthetics. While minor technical flaws are present, they generally do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. RLJ’s encoding is reassuringly effective, particularly in a film that challenges typical processing capabilities with its demanding haze and fog elements. Overall, this presentation does justice to Christopher Ross's dynamic and vividly colorful visual style.

The audio presentation of "Terminal" on Blu-ray features a lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack that offers an engaging and intense auditory experience. The soundtrack is significantly bolstered by the evocative score from Rupert Gregson-Williams and Anthony Clarke, which envelops the entire speaker array with its pulsating and throbbing soundscapes, adding a substantial amount of suspense and foreboding. However, listeners might need to lower their customary volume settings slightly to balance the overall loudness effectively. Despite this, the sound mixers ensured that the dialogue remains anchored and clear, skillfully avoiding being overwhelmed by the robust musical cues.

In terms of world-building, the audio mix is somewhat limited. The ambiance is minimal, with surround usage confined primarily to scenes within a nightclub and a functioning subway sequence that showcases the subwoofer’s capabilities. The soundtrack is predominantly front-loaded, but it does utilize surround channels effectively during specific moments, such as gunshots or instances of violence, which are conveyed with crystal clarity. The Low-Frequency Extension (LFE) gets a subtle but impactful workout during these scenes, providing an added layer of depth with its bass response.

Dialogue reproduction is consistently precise and free from any anomalies, ensuring that even the film's cheekiest exchanges come through clearly. Although the audio mix does not extensively explore ambient details, the frontal clarity, effective score integration, and selective use of surround elements contribute to a serviceable yet immersive listening experience that complements the film's stylistic approach.

The Blu-ray release of Terminal offers a concise but insightful selection of extras, primarily presented in HD. While the supplemental features section might feel somewhat sparse to aficionados seeking in-depth content, it does deliver quality over quantity. Each segment provides unique insights into the filmmaking process, from character exploration to the visual development of the film. One standout featurette is "From Concept to Creation," which offers a fascinating side-by-side comparison of storyboards and final scenes, appealing to those with a keen interest in production design. Though limited, the supplemental materials are well-crafted and provide notable value for fans and cinephiles alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Cast of Terminal: The cast discusses their characters, and director Stein praises his cast.
• Building the World of Terminal: Focuses on the technical crew and visual challenges.
• From Concept to Creation: An illustrative comparison of storyboards to completed scenes.
• Photo Gallery: Production stills.

"Terminal," Margot Robbie's ambitious debut as a producer, offers a blend of film noir and dystopian themes, set against a neon-soaked urban backdrop. The film’s aesthetics are undeniably striking, capturing the audience's attention with their radiant color palette and atmospheric sets. Shot in Budapest, the desolate yet vibrantly lit locations establish a dreamlike quality that underscores the film’s surreal narrative. However, this visual flair often overshadows the storyline, which struggles beneath the weight of its own convoluted ambitions.

At the heart of "Terminal" is a perplexing plot involving Annie (Margot Robbie), an enigmatic femme fatale, and her interactions with a suicidal English teacher, played by Simon Pegg, along with two rival assassins (Dexter Fletcher and Max Irons). While Robbie and Pegg exhibit commendable chemistry, the film falters with its overextended sequences and unfocused narrative. At times, "Terminal" attempts to emulate Quentin Tarantino’s signature dialogue and stylistic flourishes but falls short, rendering its existential musings and character exchanges less engaging than intended. The story meanders through twists involving murder and moral decay, lacking the necessary coherence to fully captivate.

In terms of characterization, the film features Mike Myers in a curious role as a janitor heavily altered by prosthetics. His presence signals deeper significance, yet any genre-savvy viewer will easily deduce his ultimate reveal. While the script aspires to construct an intricate noir mystery, it becomes bogged down by predictable plot devices and unconvincing revelations. Despite some moments of dark humor and macabre intrigue, "Terminal" struggles to maintain momentum, leaving its audience more disoriented than thrilled.

In conclusion, while “Terminal” showcases impressive visuals and a dedicated performance from Margot Robbie, its narrative shortcomings and excessive style leave much to be desired. The film’s fragmented storylines and lack of substantial character development ultimately hinder its potential, making it an ambitious but flawed venture into neo-noir cinema.

"Terminal" offers a visually striking, noir-inspired thriller that attempts to blend classic film-noir elements with modern neo-noir and a hint of science fiction. The cast, led by the ever-enigmatic Margot Robbie and Simon Pegg, delivers commendable performances. However, despite their efforts and the film's superb cinematography, the narrative struggles to fully engage due to its derivative script and occasional overambitious storytelling.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation is adequate but falls short of excellence. The video and audio specifications are solid, delivering a satisfactory viewing experience. There is an apparent overcompression issue that slightly detracts from the overall quality, especially for discerning viewers accustomed to high-definition standards. Additionally, while the extras included in the Blu-ray package are appreciated, they are notably brief and leave much to be desired in terms of in-depth exploration of the film's production and thematic elements.

In conclusion, good writing is hard work, and not everyone has an ear for great movie dialogue. Vaughn Stein shows promise as a visual stylist, but he needs a gifted screenwriter, or at least a writing partner. Terminal is a potentially interesting experiment betrayed by the weaknesses of the derivative script. RLJ has given it a merely adequate treatment on Blu-ray. If you're curious, you might as well stream it, given the unfortunate overcompression.