Kill the Irishman Blu-ray Review

"Kill the Irishman" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1, preserving its digital high-definition appearance. The video presentation, though generally solid and frequently sharp, reveals a few inherent limitations. Fine detail fluctuates, capturing well-weathered faces like those of Stevens and Walken, but some scenes exhibit occasional softness. Outdoor daytime scenes achieve remarkable depth, yet indoor and darker sequences struggle with moderate to severe black crush, impacting shadow detail.

Colors lean towards a muted, subdued palette, successfully reflecting the 1970s setting's gritty ambiance. Contrasts are deliberately overblown at times, enhancing the film's visual tone but causing highlights to occasionally appear blanched. While the picture remains largely clean with no noise artifacts, archival footage integrated into the narrative sticks out due to its lower resolution 1.33:1 format. CGI elements, particularly during explosion scenes, lack the finesse expected from higher budget productions and appear visibly softer against the otherwise robust image.

Despite its challenges, the HD transfer delivers a generally commendable video experience. The intentionally desaturated palette suits the film's grimy atmosphere, though it does highlight the low-budget effects that somewhat diminish the overall impact. Ultimately, "Kill the Irishman" offers a satisfactory video presentation that aligns well with its gritty storyline.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track of "Kill the Irishman" presents a mixed bag of technical prowess, with both strengths and weaknesses. The dialogue is consistently clean and intelligible, preventing any issues during quieter, exposition-heavy scenes. However, while the film’s low-end frequencies deliver adequately bombastic LFE and visceral impact during explosions and shootouts, the overall dynamic range is relatively narrow. The soundstage is primarily front-oriented, resulting in less immersive surround activity than one might expect from an action-rich film.

Details are meticulously reproduced without signs of compression or undue tampering, allowing for a strong fidelity throughout. Nonetheless, there are noticeable volume inconsistencies, where some sound effects overshadow others, appearing exaggerated and occasionally intrusive. The film's budgetary constraints are evident in the somewhat unnatural imaging and forced directionality in certain segments. Despite these hiccups, the soundtrack does offer moments of immersive engagement, particularly during music-driven sequences, which utilize the surrounds effectively. Although passable and functional, the audio fails to elevate to demo-worthy standard.

Ultimately, while the film’s audio execution does fittingly complement its gritty and explosive narrative, it remains hindered by technical limitations and a lack of consistent surround presence.

The Blu-ray extras for "Kill the Irishman" offer a compelling supplementary experience. The standout feature is the extensive documentary "Danny Greene: The Rise and Fall of the Irishman," presented in standard definition. This 60-minute documentary delves deeply into the life of Danny Greene, featuring richly detailed interviews with government agents, retired gangsters, and Greene's relatives. The archival footage interspersed throughout enhances the narrative, drawing a vivid picture of the man who played a pivotal role in dismantling organized crime in Cleveland. Additionally, the Blu-ray also contains the theatrical trailer in high definition, encapsulating the film's essence concisely.

Extras included in this disc:

• Danny Greene: The Rise and Fall of the Irishman: In-depth documentary profiling Danny Greene, featuring interviews and archival footage.
• Trailer for Kill The Irishman: Theatrical trailer presented in 1080p.

"Kill the Irishman" brings to life the intense gang warfare in 1970s Cleveland, a city not typically associated with organized crime. The film starts with an action-packed sequence of Danny Greene, played by Ray Stevenson, evading an assassination attempt by the Italian mafia. This sets the stage for a biographical exploration of Greene's rise from a tough Cleveland neighborhood to a key player in the local mob scene. Stevenson delivers a gripping portrayal of Greene, whose complex character blurs the line between heroism and criminality. However, the film falters in its attempt to emulate the depth and excitement of genre classics like "Goodfellas" and "The Departed." The plot often feels like a patchwork of familiar gangster movie elements, which detracts from its originality.

Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, the film boasts a strong cast including Christopher Walken, Vincent D'Onofrio, Paul Sorvino, and Val Kilmer. Yet, despite their veteran status, their performances seem detached, likely due to a lackluster script and direction. Val Kilmer's role as Detective Joe Mantinski, though narratively significant, is underdeveloped and fails to add meaningful tension or depth. The story unfolds through predictable plot points, providing a cursory glance at Greene's life without delving into motivating factors or emotional complexities. The film's attempt to humanize Greene comes too late, leaving viewers with little reason to become invested in his journey.

Despite its shortcomings in scripting and direction, "Kill the Irishman" excels in creating an authentic sense of time and place. The film effectively contrasts the gritty, blue-collar world of the Irish mob with the sophisticated but ruthless Italian mafia. News reports interspersed throughout the narrative enhance the depiction of Cleveland's tumultuous era of bombings and assassinations. While it occasionally rises above genre clichés, "Kill the Irishman" ultimately struggles to achieve the compelling storytelling found in top-tier gangster films. Nonetheless, it offers a visceral portrayal of Danny Greene’s life and the violent world he navigated.

"Kill the Irishman" is a gangster flick set in the unusual backdrop of Cleveland with an atypical protagonist, Danny Greene. The narrative, while borrowing elements from familiar gangster films, distinguishes itself through Ray Stevenson's electrifying performance. His portrayal anchors the film, bringing a raw intensity that propels the story forward. Supported by competent performances and Jonathan Hensleigh’s solid direction, the film retains a unique flavor amidst the genre's clichés. The setting and character diversification add a measure of freshness to the well-worn gangster narrative.

However, the film isn’t without its shortcomings. The screenplay and directorial approach occasionally fall short, resulting in a somewhat unremarkable cinematic experience. Despite these flaws, the video and audio presentations are relatively competent, although they highlight the constraints of the film's modest budget. The supplementary material is sparse, yet the included documentary is a notable exception, offering engaging insights that add value to the Blu-ray edition.

In conclusion, while "Kill the Irishman" doesn't break new ground in the gangster genre, it manages to offer an engaging experience due to Ray Stevenson's mesmerizing performance and its unique setting. The technical presentation is adequate but reveals budgetary limitations. For gangster movie enthusiasts, this film is worth a watch, but for general audiences, it may serve better as a rental. Recommended with some reservations.