The Courier Blu-ray Review

"The Courier" on Blu-ray, courtesy of Well Go USA, offers a compelling visual presentation with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Filmed using the Red One camera in 4K, this release often showcases the strengths of high-definition formats. Detailed and sharp imagery is a hallmark here, with outdoor and daytime scenes standing out due to their vivid yet balanced colors and strong contrast. The overall clarity accentuates even the smallest details, though it also makes special effects more detectable.

However, some peculiarities inherent to digital filming are apparent. While the background colors maintain relative accuracy and the black levels stay solid throughout, certain aspects fall short. Notably, during poorly lit or nighttime scenes, blacks tend to shift toward blue, introducing noticeable noise. Occasional motion blur, especially during some daytime sequences, appears artificial and disrupts the high-quality illusion presented by other scenes. These inconsistencies, although infrequent, markedly contrast with the otherwise precise and vibrant imagery, affecting the viewing experience.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Courier" provides a generally well-defined and crisp Blu-ray presentation. The deliberate color grading eschews aggressive tweaks in DI stages, preserving natural background hues though leaving flesh tones somewhat underwhelming. While there is a notable flatness in texture typical of Red One shots, the presentation remains clear and strong in contrast. This Blu-ray should satisfy viewers seeking a sharp visual experience albeit with occasional digital idiosyncrasies.

The Blu-Ray release of "The Courier" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that delivers an overall solid experience, albeit with some notable flaws. The surround activity in this mix is consistently present and quite commendable during action set pieces. However, these scenes lack a "wow factor" that many enthusiasts might expect. Subtle effects, like a plane's roar panning across the sound field, provide some of the best moments of immersion. Dialogue is generally clean, and the fidelity holds up well, presenting a wide dynamic range with boisterous LFE not limited to gunshots alone.

Despite these positives, there are critical areas where the mix falls short. One primary issue lies in the vocal presentation, where dialogue tends to be buried too far into the mix. This results in characters being difficult to hear during scenes with any background noise, compounded by occasional muffling. Moreover, instances of ADR dialogue are mixed too loud and have a clear but almost disjointed quality compared to the rest of the dialogue. Additionally, the low end in a few of the action scenes feels insufficient, lacking in depth and resounding impact, while directionality rarely reaches the rears with anything remarkable. Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix does not do full justice to the film's potential.

The Blu Ray extras for "The Courier" present a mixed bag, featuring extended and deleted scenes that predominantly consist of extended sequences with a few screen tests, offering minimal new footage. There's an overly generic behind-the-scenes featurette that spends more time on film clips and accolades than true production insights, with Jeffrey Dean Morgan's commentary standing out as a highlight. The director and stars discuss their enthusiasm for the project, but the featurette ends up feeling more like a long electronic press kit. A brief yet standard theatrical trailer rounds out the extras, providing little in terms of additional value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind the Scenes Featurette: Extensive film clips interspersed with cast and crew interviews, mostly generic.
• Extended/Deleted Scenes: Extended sequences, screen tests, and silent footage of an evidence board.
• Theatrical Trailer: Standard promotional trailer.

"The Courier" ambitiously aims to meld high-octane action with introspective character study but falls substantially short in both realms. Jeffrey Dean Morgan stars as the Courier, an enigmatic delivery man who navigates a perilous mission to hand over a briefcase to the menacing Evil Sivle, whose name alone strains credibility. Initial scenes, especially a suspenseful sequence in a dilapidated amusement park, hold promise but quickly descend into convoluted plotting and risible dialogue. The film's persistent attempt to induce gravitas through philosophical musings feels out of place and only highlights the lack of coherent storytelling and character development.

Director Hany Abu-Assad transitions from acclaimed documentaries to this action-oriented fare without finding a steady balance. Morgan's performance is stilted, his natural charisma stifled by a character who never quite evolves beyond a poor imitation of Jason Statham's Transporter. Josie Ho's portrayal of Anna fails to create any substantial chemistry or dramatic tension with Morgan, while Mickey Rourke's portrayal of Sivle amounts to little more than an eccentric cameo. In contrast, the dynamic duo of Lili Taylor and Miguel Ferrer injects rare energy and levity, effectively torturing Morgan's character in what stands out as the film’s singular tense moment.

Ultimately, "The Courier" squanders its potential with uneven acting, a confusing plot replete with logical fallacies, and subpar action sequences marred by shoddy effects. Attempting to navigate an internalized action narrative without conveying necessary intensity or clarity results in a lazy, meandering film that culminates in an anticlimactic exposition ending. Despite isolated moments of excitement and the bizarre spectacle of Rourke channeling Elvis, the film remains firmly on the lower tiers of its genre.

The Blu-ray release of "The Courier" reveals the film's myriad issues through both its technical presentation and narrative execution. The film's pedestrian script and uninspired direction fail to capitalize on a talented cast, with notable actors like Miguel Ferrer and Lili Taylor delivering performances that ultimately cannot salvage the overall product. Despite their efforts to infuse some life into the movie, their limited screen time undermines their potential impact, leaving the audience disengaged.

Visually, the Blu-ray transfer is commendable in its sharpness but falls short when digital shooting limitations become apparent. Scenes meant to impress visually can inadvertently highlight these deficiencies. The sound mix, an essential aspect of any action film, misfires wildly, demonstrating an uneven quality that detracts significantly from the viewing experience. Such inconsistencies in audio can be jarring, particularly given that this is a recent release.

"The Courier" attempts to string together exciting sequences but ends up presenting them amidst interminable character beats that lack depth or development. Its narrative choices and supposed twists fail to surprise or engage meaningfully, resulting in a film that struggles to justify more than a passing interest. The final moments hinting at a sequel feel more like a threat than a promise.

In conclusion, "The Courier" plays like a derivation of more derivative works and doesn't execute its basics well enough to warrant a strong recommendation. The film's flaws in screenplay, special effects, and audio-visual quality make it hard to endorse beyond a casual rental. If underwhelming homage films are your niche, you may find fleeting entertainment here; otherwise, it’s best left undelivered.