A Walk Among the Tombstones Blu-ray Review

A Walk Among the Tombstones' 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation is a masterclass in capturing the movie's distinctive crime noir aesthetic. The transfer handles black levels with exceptional adeptness, rendering thick shadows and impenetrable darkness that intensify the unsettling atmosphere. Despite the dominant inky shadows, there is impressive delineation, allowing fine details in even the darkest scenes to be clearly visible. Clarity and contrast are excellently maintained throughout, providing razor-sharp definition and intricate textures that enhance close-ups and add depth to the overall composition. Importantly, instances of macroblocking, banding, aliasing, and noise are notably absent, underscoring the pristine quality of the transfer.

The video presentation showcases occasional flashes of vibrant color against a predominantly muted color palette, a stylistic choice that effectively enhances the film's visual impact. These strategic bursts of rusty reds or other vivid hues stand out strikingly, while facial details are meticulously rendered down to visible pores and facial hair. Mihai Malaimare, Jr.'s cinematography is faithfully preserved in this transfer, with lifelike skin tones that manage to convey the somber mood of the characters while maintaining realistic saturation. Minor instances of ringing and crush are present but are negligible and do not detract from the viewer's experience. Overall, Universal's visual presentation successfully translates the film's cold, overcast New York setting into a captivating high-definition display.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack of "A Walk Among the Tombstones" excels in delivering an immersive auditory experience, despite the film's dialogue-driven nature. Voice clarity is superb, with discernible inflectional character and excellent room penetration. Low-level detail is impressively captured, allowing even the softest spoken passages and background ambience to be distinct. The soundstage primarily favors front-oriented elements, with a well-balanced mix of music and discretely placed sound effects. The dynamic range is noteworthy, adding significant punch during action sequences. While not continuously active, the sound mix engages the entire system effectively when called upon.

Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track ensures an involving soundscape, using LFE output assertively and with nuance. This lends atmospheric weight to suspenseful scenes and provides the necessary impact for gunshots and other low-end elements. Rear speaker activity avoids unnecessary flash, instead contributing to a subtly immersive soundfield that captures the essence of New York’s streets and more intimate settings. Dialogue is perfectly intelligible and well-prioritized throughout the movie, complemented by strong but not overbearing dynamics. The soundtrack, eerie and atmospheric, spreads through the front speakers and occasionally bleeds into rear channels, enhancing the ambient city sounds.

Technical aspects are also well-executed. Available in English DTS-HD MA 5.1, DVS 2.0, and Spanish DTS Surround 5.1, with subtitles in English SDH, Spanish, and French, the lossless 5.1 soundtrack is particularly aggressive during action scenes, with impactful low-frequency extension that gives gunfire a cannon-like quality. Surround sound presentation heightens the ambiance, especially in tense moments of stealth. Dialogue reproduction remains crisp and distortion-free, ensuring clarity even in quieter, more reflective scenes. Overall, the audio presentation thoroughly complements the film's narrative and atmospheric demands, making it a robust component of the Blu-ray package.

The extras for "A Walk Among the Tombstones" Blu-ray provide a brief but insightful glimpse into the film's production process and character development. The content includes a 12-minute standard behind-the-scenes featurette titled "A Look Behind the Tombstones," showcasing interviews with cast and crew along with on-set production insights. The exclusive "Matt Scudder: Private Eye" featurette offers a concise yet valuable discussion by author Lawrence Block and screenwriter/director Scott Frank about the detective character's origins and the challenges involved in adapting him for the big screen. Additionally, a DVD and Digital HD Copy are included.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Look Behind the Tombstones: A standard behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew interviews.
• Matt Scudder: Private Eye: Author Lawrence Block and director Scott Frank discuss the character's adaptation.
• Bonus DVD: Included in the package.
• Digital HD Copy: Available for digital access.

"A Walk Among the Tombstones," starring Liam Neeson, adapts Lawrence Block's novel into a darkly atmospheric yet uneven thriller. Neeson delivers a strong performance as Matt Scudder, a former NYPD officer turned unlicensed private investigator grappling with his troubled past and alcoholism. The film centers on Scudder's reluctant quest to help heroin trafficker Kenny Kristo (Dan Stevens) hunt down the criminals who murdered his wife. As Scudder delves into the investigation, uncovering the perpetrators' recurring brutalities, he navigates the gritty underbelly of New York City.

Scott Frank's directorial approach draws from various influences, including Elmore Leonard and David Fincher, giving the film a neo-noir aesthetic. Mihai Malaimare Jr.'s cinematography and Carlos Rivera's score enhance this mood, drenching the film in shadows and tension. However, the narrative suffers from pacing issues and a lack of originality. The opening sequences are gripping and suspenseful, but the film's middle act drags while its climax resorts to predictable crime-thriller tropes. Although Neeson's portrayal of Scudder is compelling—emphasizing his detective skills over physical confrontations—the story's underlying clichés and simplistic resolutions detract from its potential depth.

Additionally, the film's subplot featuring Scudder’s interactions with quirky supporting characters provides minimal substance. Characters like TJ (Brian Astro Bradley), a tech-savvy teenager aspiring to be Scudder’s assistant, and various drug-affiliated individuals are meant to add texture but instead feel underdeveloped and contrived. The killers’ early reveal further diminishes suspense, leading to a denouement that feels more formulaic than climactic. Despite these drawbacks, "A Walk Among the Tombstones" offers an engaging atmosphere and performance-driven narrative, but it ultimately adheres too closely to genre conventions, limiting its impact as a standout thriller.

"A Walk Among the Tombstones" stands out as a well-executed crime thriller with Liam Neeson's portrayal of Matt Scudder being a highlight. Neeson's restrained performance as a troubled former police officer is engaging, bringing a depth that's often missing in the genre. While the screenplay, adapted by Frank, misses opportunities for originality and occasionally falls into predictable territory, the film's dark and moody atmosphere helps distinguish it from other detective films. The cinematography complements the bleak narrative, although familiar film noir tropes persist.

The Blu-ray release of "A Walk Among the Tombstones" offers an exceptional audio-visual experience. The picture quality is superb, capturing the film’s shadowy elegance and enhancing its gritty aesthetic. The sound presentation is equally impressive, immersing the viewer in the film's tense, atmospheric world. However, it is disappointing that Universal has not included more significant special features in this release, which could have provided additional insight into the film's production and narrative choices.

In conclusion, while "A Walk Among the Tombstones" doesn't break new ground in the crime thriller genre, it remains a captivating watch, largely due to Neeson's performance and its strong technical presentation on Blu-ray. The lack of extras is unfortunate but doesn't diminish the overall value of the disc. This Blu-ray is recommended for rental first unless you're a dedicated fan of Neeson's work or appreciate well-made crime thrillers with a dark edge.