Criminal Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Criminal" delivers a solid visual experience that excels in numerous important technical aspects. The film is presented in 1080p with an AVC encoded transfer adhering to a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, and is sourced largely from Arri Alexa cameras at 2.8K resolution, complemented by 6K Red Epic cameras for select aerial shots. This painstaking technical approach is evident as the video presentation boasts high levels of detail, especially in natural light and outdoor scenes. Aerial shots of urban London, in particular, exhibit fantastic depth of field and pop notably. Highlights of the presentation include snappy, bold colors and excellent three-dimensional acuity. Blacks are punchy with commendable dynamic range and discernible gradational highlights, enhancing visual perspective in low-light scenarios.

Maintaining the film's dreary and somber atmosphere, the digital cinematography, primarily from the Arri Alexa XT camera, benefits from a well-balanced contrast and brightness level. Whites appear intensely bright and crisp, while shadows afford great visibility during the darkest sequences, adding appreciable depth. The deliberately subdued tone does not hinder the Blu-ray’s capacity to showcase accurate, full-bodied color balances and natural flesh tones. Faces exhibit great lifelike qualities with clear visibility of wrinkles and blemishes; close-ups reveal fineries such as Kevin Costner's grizzly beard stubble. While some scenes may appear softer due to the film's visual style and color grading choices—particularly sequences involving greenish or brownish tones—the overall definition and clarity across the runtime remain impressive. This high-definition presentation distinctly captures fine lines and minute details down to individual bricks on buildings, ensuring a visually engaging experience consistent with the director's stylized vision.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack for "Criminal" delivers a robust and transcendent auditory experience that integrates seamlessly with the visual onslaught of action scenes. The surround mix offers an extended dynamic range, creating a three-dimensional sound stage that enhances the viewer's immersion. The soundtrack utilizes immersive surround activity adeptly, filling the listening area with dynamic sounds that align perfectly with on-screen events. The LFE effects are profound, delivering deep, tactile bass that resonates with authority, adding weight to gunshots and explosions. Dialogue is rendered with precise clarity and exact intonation, although there is a slight hint of sibilance in the upper registers.

From the onset, the DTS-HD Master Audio mix encapsulates the listener, creating a detailed and expansive soundscape. The sound of bustling London streets, gunfire, and combat sequences offers ample energy and are distributed with great fidelity throughout the surround channels. The attention to detail is notable, as even subtler sounds like debris clatter are delivered with precision, reinforcing the film's immersive quality. While quieter scenes shift the focus heavily to the center channel, this is balanced by the extremely wide dynamic range that remains constant throughout more chaotic sequences.

This track exemplifies expert sound design, with noteworthy channel balance and excellent directionality evident in every car chase, helicopter fly-over, and bullet exchange. The music by Brian Tyler and Keith Power is beautifully integrated, extending into the rear channels and contributing to the overall enveloping audio experience. Even during the loudest moments, the mix maintains distinct separation between mids and highs, providing room-penetrating clarity without distortion. The powerful low-end offers robust bass that energizes the room, making the lossless audio mix an exceptionally engaging component of this action-packed thriller.

The Blu-ray extras for "Criminal" provide a comprehensive look into the film’s production, underscoring both the creative and technical aspects. The two-part featurette Criminal Intent offers extensive interviews with cast and crew, covering production insights, performances, and creative decisions along with substantial behind-the-scenes footage. Director's Notes stands out with director Ariel Vromen's voiceover, detailing various shooting sequences and discussing technical challenges. Although not as extensive as a full-length commentary, it provides an engaging quasi-commentary experience filled with film footage. The Deleted Scenes offer additional context, while Madsonik's music video for Drift and Fall Again adds a fitting audio-visual component to the set. Overall, these extras enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film’s production journey.

Extras included in this disc:

• Criminal Intent: Interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Director's Notes: Voiceover by Ariel Vromen with scene details.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes not included in the final cut.
• Madsonik's Drift and Fall Again Music Video: Music video with clips from the film.

Criminal is a high-concept action thriller directed by Ariel Vromen, featuring a unique blend of espionage, mind-swap science fiction, and human drama. The plot kicks off with CIA agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) tasked with connecting with a hacker known as The Dutchman, who holds the codes for global nuclear strikes. After Pope is captured and killed, the CIA transfers his memories into Jericho Stewart (Kevin Costner), an emotionally stunted ex-convict with a brain injury. Stewart is now responsible for locating The Dutchman to avert a nuclear disaster. Reynolds’ early performance draws viewers into a complex narrative mirroring Hitchcockian tropes, only to abruptly shift focus to Costner’s grittier portrayal.

However, the film stresses viewer suspension of disbelief with its somewhat far-fetched scientific premise: memory transfer technology that can't simply extract data for analysis without an intermediary human subject. This jarring logic forms the bedrock of an otherwise engaging narrative. Costner’s portrayal of Jericho Stewart injects some emotional depth into the film as his character grapples with newfound memories and emotions. The supporting cast, including Gary Oldman as a frantic CIA supervisor and Tommy Lee Jones as the weary Dr. Mahal Franks, lend credibility and balance to the otherwise sporadically logical plot.

The movie's pacing is marked by intermittent energy, with well-executed action sequences set against London's familiar yet retro locales. Despite this, the plot often stumbles, burdened by its own ambition and eccentric elements such as Jericho’s improbable candidacy due to his brain injury—a paradox that both defies and defines the film’s internal logic. Meanwhile, the film attempts to imbue personal drama amidst its roller-coaster plot, though it occasionally veers into maudlin territory. Ultimately, Criminal provides an entertaining ride for audiences willing to embrace its curious blend of science fiction and human storytelling.

"Criminal" is a mixed bag, with a solid ensemble cast and an interesting premise that unfortunately doesn't come to full fruition. Despite its shortcomings in narrative cohesion, where elements are scattered without hitting consistent high points, the film does manage to deliver some engaging scenes. Directed by Ariel Vromen, the movie hinges on a few implausible plot devices, yet benefits from strong performances that lend it a degree of credibility and dramatic weight.

Technical aspects of the Blu-ray release are commendable. The video presentation is sharp and detailed, capturing the film’s cinematography with precision. The audio quality is equally impressive, delivering an immersive experience that enhances the action sequences and maintains clarity during dialogue-heavy scenes. Additionally, the disc includes an adequate collection of supplements, which provide some insight into the film's development and production process.

In conclusion, while "Criminal" may not fully capitalize on its potential, it’s equipped with first-rate technical merits that might make it appealing for action enthusiasts. The excellent audio and video quality coupled with decent bonus features render it a worthy addition for any collector seeking to enjoy a passably entertaining film on a lazy afternoon.