State of Play Blu-ray Review

"State of Play" on Blu-ray boasts an exceptional 1080p/VC-1 transfer that captures the distinctive vision of cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto and director Kevin MacDonald with remarkable precision. The high-quality digital intermediate files present a visually striking portrayal of Washington D.C., characterized by realistic, sometimes gritty imagery. The transfer faithfully renders the subtle nuances of Prieto's color palette and MacDonald’s directorial choices, ensuring that every detail—from the wrinkles on Congressman Collins' shirts to the grizzled stubble on McAffrey's chin—is meticulously preserved. The news room scenes brimming with paper clippings and legible on-screen text, along with the rich textures of Fergus’ office and the bustling atmosphere of Ben’s Chili Bowl diner, are particularly noteworthy. Black levels are deep and contrast is robust, enhancing dimensionality and imparting a sense of realism to each frame.

The technical execution of the transfer is equally impressive. The presentation maintains excellent contrast, vibrant colors, and rich black levels across varied shooting styles and film stocks. Prieto's alternating use of anamorphic and digital cameras, paired with both handheld and stationary techniques, is handled with finesse, avoiding any jarring transitions. Grain levels fluctuate minimally between camera shots but never distract; instead, they add a welcome texture to the scenes. Backgrounds are well-defined, and even in low-light settings, the image remains clear and solid. Close-up shots are particularly striking, showcasing intricate details such as Crowe's scruffy hair and Affleck’s subtle stubble, along with natural fleshtones that enhance the lifelike appearance of all actors.

Overall, the Blu-ray transfer of "State of Play" masterfully balances various technical aspects, delivering a smooth and immersive viewing experience free from banding, digital noise, or other visual anomalies. The meticulous attention to detail in both content and technical execution ensures that fans, newcomers, and videophiles alike will find the video quality truly outstanding.

Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for "State of Play" impresses with its nuanced and dynamic presentation, perfectly suited to the film's dialogue-driven nature. Dialogue is pristinely clear, positioned centrally and enhancing the immersive soundfield with well-balanced warmth. Interior acoustics receive meticulous attention, giving each environment, from bustling newsrooms to intimate apartments, their own distinct personality. Subtle ambient sounds, such as urban street noise and the din of activity in offices, further enhance the scene-setting. While Low Frequency Effects (LFE) output won't disturb neighbors, they provide needed depth, particularly during the film's musical score. The directional effects, while not overly aggressive, offer impressive spatial accuracy that brings the action front and center.

Surround channel performance is exemplary in creating an enveloping atmosphere that draws the listener into each setting. The soundtrack boasts excellent stereo separation across front channels, significantly contributing to the film's immediacy and presence. Accents like gunfire, screeching tires, and camera shutters are rendered with palpable crispness. Even murmured dialogue remains discernible, showing the track’s exceptional ability to prioritize clarity. Bass frequencies make several impactful appearances throughout the film, adding rumbles that accentuate key moments without overpowering the subtler elements. The musical score, though subdued, is warm and well-integrated into the mix.

Overall balance is meticulously modulated, ensuring all audio elements fit seamlessly into the presentation. Universal has optimized every sonic detail of "State of Play," making it a standout audio experience for a dialogue-centric film. This artful and thorough audio treatment elevates the engagement and enriches the cinematic experience without overshadowing the narrative elements.

The Blu-ray release of "State of Play" delivers a polished yet compact collection of extras that adds notable value for fans. The centerpiece is the U-Control feature, offering two tracks—Picture-in-Picture (PiP) and Locations. The PiP track is particularly robust, delving deep into the film's production, adaptation from the BBC miniseries, casting decisions, and post-production insights. Another standout is the Making of State of Play featurette, providing a thorough look at the adaptation process and featuring engaging interviews with key cast members and director Kevin MacDonald. Although the Deleted Scenes segment is brief, it offers intriguing character-centric clips that enhance the broader narrative. Additionally, the disc includes BD-Live functionality for extended online content. While a traditional audio commentary is missed, this set impressively compensates with its high-quality, informative features.

Extras included in this disc:

• Exclusive U-Control Features: Picture-in-Picture production track and Locations guide for Washington D.C.
• The Making of State of Play: Production featurette on adapting and shooting the film.
• Deleted Scenes: Short collection of character-focused deleted scenes.
• BD-Live Functionality

"State of Play," directed by Kevin Macdonald, transforms a six-hour BBC miniseries into an exhilarating and taut feature film, engaging audiences with an introspective look into the confluence of politics and journalism. The narrative ignites with the mysterious death of Sonia Baker (Maria Thayer), a congressional staff member, and quickly entangles Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) in a whirlwind of media speculation, potentially implicating him in extramarital scandal and foul play. Russell Crowe offers a compelling performance as Cal McAffrey, the tenacious Washington Globe reporter and Collins' ex-college roommate, tasked with uncovering the truth. Supported by a stellar cast, including Helen Mirren as the unyielding Globe editor Cameron Lynne, Rachel McAdams as a burgeoning blogger, and Jason Bateman in a scene-stealing turn as a dubious club promoter, every character's plight and nuance are meticulously crafted, elevating the film to an artful multi-character study.

The screenplay, penned by Tony Gilroy, Matthew Michael Carnahan, and Billy Ray, astutely navigates political intrigue and journalistic ethic dilemmas with an insightful narrative structure. The film pulses with a persistent undercurrent of tension as McAffrey swiftly connects Baker’s apparent suicide to a broader conspiracy involving PointCorp, a defense contractor under legislative scrutiny. As the investigation deepens, supported by detective work finely detailed yet unburdened by superfluity, Macdonald deftly maintains narrative cohesion amid casting changes and script rewrites. Though it occasionally stumbles with familiar tropes and redundant twists, the relentless pace and seamless unfolding of conspiracies ensure continuous viewer engagement.

Enduring performances anchor this complex tale. Crowe’s embodiment of the seasoned reporter meshes organically with McAdams' portrayal of modern journalistic exuberance. Affleck portrays Collins with vulnerability that garners empathy despite his corrupted surroundings, while Mirren’s portrayal encapsulates the editorial strife in a declining newspaper industry beset by corporate pressures. Although "State of Play" doesn’t reach the genre-defining heights of “All the President's Men," it firmly establishes itself as a compelling thriller underscored by meticulous production values and a provocative dissection of media integrity.

"State of Play" stands out as an engrossing thriller that keenly navigates the shifting dynamics of modern media power, alongside the fraught interplay between politicians and journalists. The film succeeds in delivering a stimulating narrative, albeit occasionally burdened by one twist too many. The adaptation from the original BBC miniseries demonstrates notable prowess, even if it doesn't fully capture the intricate depths of its predecessor. Notably, the film is bolstered by powerful performances that elevate the storytelling with commendable depth and authenticity.

Universal's Blu-ray release excels in both visual and auditory departments. The video transfer is immaculate, capturing fine details with remarkable clarity, and delivering an exceedingly faithful recreation of the film's intended aesthetic. The inclusion of a DTS-HD Master Audio track is a notable highlight, providing a proficient soundscape that enhances the viewing experience through clear dialogue and well-balanced audio effects. Supplementary features are thoughtfully curated, adding valuable insights and extending the disc's appeal for enthusiasts.

While it suffers from one twist too many, "State of Play" is a stirring, at-times thrilling exploration of the shift of modern media power, the precarious relationship between politicians and journalists, and attempts from both camps to manipulate and color the truth. It isn't as involving or complex as the original BBC miniseries, but as feature film adaptations go, it rarely falters. Universal's Blu-ray release is just as satisfying, offering an excellent, exceedingly faithful video transfer, a proficient DTS-HD Master Audio track, and a decent helping of supplemental content. Ultimately, it's a rewarding, well-produced disc from Universal that deserves to find a comfortable spot in your collection.