Bombshell Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate's Blu-ray presentation of "Bombshell," captured on Arri Alexa cameras and finished at a 2K digital intermediate, impresses with its striking 2.39:1 framed AVC encoded transfer. The visual quality is almost flawless, featuring strong colors, sharp details, and a diverse range of shades that fluctuate between shadowy newsrooms and brightly lit daylight scenes. The warm, honey-colored grading enhances the subtle yet effective makeup and prosthetics on key actors like Charlize Theron and John Lithgow. Minor issues such as mild banding in darker scenes and occasional digital noise are noted but do not detract significantly from the overall visual experience.

Detail rendering in the Blu-ray transfer is exceptional, with clear visual acuity and fine articulation that uncovers subtle intricacies in both close-ups and wide shots. Colors are rich and well delineated, with a pleasing mix of primary and secondary tones that appear vivid and warm. Flesh tones are natural, showing a pleasant degree of complexional separation among the cast. The disc effectively balances contrast, offering consistent black levels and strong shadow detail, which add depth to poorly lit scenes while maintaining discernible textures in shadowy backgrounds.

The presentation maintains visual consistency even under varied lighting conditions. Bright scenes hold their vibrancy, especially in office environments under fluorescent bulbs, while darker sequences retain dimension and contrast. Liongate's encoding ensures that digital touch-ups are subtle and do not compromise image fidelity. Small imperceptible artifacts and light noise only occasionally permeate the image but pose minimal distractions. Overall, this Blu-ray offers an excellent visual experience, preserving a natural palette with superb detail resolution that stands out, making it one of the most stunning technical aspects of the home video package.

Lionsgate's audio presentation for the Blu-ray release of "Bombshell" features a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, deviating from more contemporary expectations of lossless audio such as DTS-HD Master Audio or Dolby TrueHD. This choice notably impacts the auditory experience. While the Dolby Digital track provides decent fidelity, it lacks the dynamic range and punch typically delivered by lossless formats. Dialog reproduction, a core element of this dialog-driven film, is transparent and lucid, though users may need to adjust volume levels due to the compressed nature of the sound.

The surround sound utilization of this 5.1 track is executed with competence. Rear channels offer a mixture of ambient effects and directional panning cues that serve the bustling environments of Fox News and the city streets well. However, the low-frequency extension is notably weak, with the bass elements feeling subdued and anemic. Key sequences, such as the tense 'elevator scene,' exhibit an effective use of spatial audio, yet the overall thinness due to compression overshadows these moments.

While the audio track efficiently supports the film’s ambiance and dialog, questions regarding the choice of lossy audio persist. A high-profile release like "Bombshell" would greatly benefit from uncompressed sound, particularly in 2020 where it is becoming more of an industry standard. Nevertheless, viewers who do not prioritize lossless audio formats might still find the audio presentation adequate, but audiophiles expecting a first-rate auditory experience might find themselves underwhelmed.

The Blu-ray edition of "Bombshell" delivers a rich array of extras that provide an in-depth look into the film's production and thematic resonance. The highlight is undoubtedly the 94-minute documentary “No Easy Truths: The Making of Bombshell,” which offers insightful interviews with the cast and crew while exploring the real-life events that inspired the film. This comprehensive bonus content stands out for its detailed exploration of visual design, makeup, hair, costume, and the collaborative efforts of the ensemble cast. The tone is consistently informative, blending technical detail with candid reflections from those involved in the project.

Extras included in this disc:

• No Easy Truths: The Making of Bombshell: Seven-part documentary with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
• Convergence: Genesis of the Film: Origins and context of creating the film
• Quid Pro Quo: Charlize, Nicole, Margot, John: Insights on leading actors' performances
• Human Dynamics: The Ensemble Cast: Cast chemistry and on-set experiences
• Breaking the Fourth Wall: Visual Design: Artistic choices in visual production
• Layer by Layer: Makeup, Hair & Clothing: Behind the transformation of key characters
• A Unique Skill Set: Jay Roach: Director Jay Roach’s contributions to the film
• Catalyst for Change: Parting Thoughts: Reflections on the film’s social themes

"Bombshell," directed by Jay Roach and written by Charles Randolph, presents a dramatized retelling of the sexual harassment scandal at Fox News that led to the downfall of its CEO, Roger Ailes, in the wake of the #MeToo movement. The narrative primarily revolves around three women: Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), whose lawsuit triggered the scandal; Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), who adds depth to the story with her public persona and personal conflicts; and the fictional character Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie), representing the young, ambitious women affected by Ailes' predations. The performances of these leading ladies are stellar, with Theron and Robbie earning Academy Award nominations. John Lithgow's portrayal of Ailes is particularly noteworthy, as he transforms under significant prosthetics to deliver a performance that oozes slimy charisma.

The film employs a somewhat controversial narrative technique by frequently breaking the fourth wall, allowing characters to address the audience directly. While this adds a dynamic layer to the storytelling, it sometimes creates a disjointed experience, making it challenging for viewers to fully empathize with the protagonists. Despite these narrative choices, "Bombshell" successfully captures the systemic sexism and embedded power dynamics within Fox News. The screenplay avoids overtly political leanings, maintaining a relatively neutral stance on the network itself while focusing on the personal stories of harassment and courage.

Technically, "Bombshell" excels in its pacing and editing, creating a brisk yet coherent retelling of events. The film benefits from its meticulous attention to detail in makeup and hairstyling, which won an Academy Award. Although some critics argue that the fictionalized elements and certain character arcs could have been better integrated or expanded, "Bombshell" remains a pivotal film for understanding the internal struggles and external ramifications of speaking out against powerful figures in media. The movie is particularly relevant now, providing crucial insights into a significant moment in recent history.

"Bombshell," directed by Jay Roach and written by Charles Randolph, stars Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, and Nicole Kidman in a dramatization of the sexual harassment allegations against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes. The Blu-ray release showcases excellent video quality with a crisp 1.78:1 aspect ratio. However, the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix is a letdown for audiophiles seeking a lossless track. The disc lacks substantial extras, making it a decent but unremarkable offering from Lionsgate.

The film itself is a commendable portrayal of the pressure, anxiety, and fears faced by women confronting powerful men. While the narrative pace is engaging and brisk, it occasionally misses deeper character development for its supporting cast. The three lead performances are stellar—Charlize Theron's transformation into Megyn Kelly is particularly noteworthy, as is Nicole Kidman's emotional portrayal of Gretchen Carlson, and Margot Robbie’s compelling performance adds tension and realism to the narrative.

Despite its strengths in acting and visual presentation, "Bombshell" falters somewhat in its ability to resonate emotionally and politically. Although it presents an important #MeToo story and features a robust array of supporting actors, the movie doesn’t entirely succeed in leaving a lasting impact. The ongoing nature of the issues it addresses might leave some viewers with a sense of unresolved frustration.

In conclusion, while "Bombshell" isn’t a must-buy, it is definitely worth a rental for its compelling performances and high-quality visual output on Blu-ray. Despite the subpar audio mix and lackluster extras, the film's ability to portray a significant media scandal in an engaging manner makes it a solid entertainment choice.