Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps Blu-ray Review

The high-definition video presentation of "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" on Blu-ray is remarkably impressive, characterized by a natural and filmic quality throughout. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer is free from overprocessing, with no halo effects, DNR, or improper boosting, thus maintaining its pristine and organic appearance. Notably, the image clarity is exemplary, with an exceptionally fine grain structure. Close-ups are particularly revealing, showcasing intricate details like facial textures, cloth patterns, and the interior design of luxurious New York apartments. The primary colors are rich and balanced, breathing life into the detailed mahogany boardrooms, vibrant computer displays, and autumnal New England landscapes. Black levels are consistently deep and well-balanced, contributing to the overall contrast dynamics that give scenes both pop and depth.

The film's strong use of primary colors is vibrant and lively, enhancing the visual narrative from the lush greens of Central Park to the stark blues of office interiors. Detail resolution in close-ups is outstanding, capturing minute elements such as pores, facial hairs, and tiny tears in characters' eyes. Black levels provide excellent depth and dimensionality, with no shadow crushing— allowing dark scenes to be as immersive as bright sequences. The encode remains robust with minimal technical issues; a few instances of shimmer and aliasing were observed during aerial shots, but these do not detract from the overall experience. The image remains clear and devoid of debris, sustaining a consistent filmic look that enhances visual enjoyment.

Overall, this Blu-ray video presentation provides an engaging viewing experience with its meticulously balanced color palette, sharp detail resolution, and dynamic black levels. The result is a handsome transfer that stands resilient against common technical pitfalls, promising satisfaction to any home viewer.

The Blu Ray edition of "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" features a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, delivering an impressively immersive and tonally rich audio experience. Dialogue is clean, clear, and discernible, effectively occupying the center channel to maintain clarity even amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City. There are instances of dynamic audio elements; however, a few whispered lines, especially from Eli Wallach’s character, may require attentive listening. The soundstage is commendable with front channels presenting a wide two-dimensional breadth, while the surrounds add depth and atmosphere.

The sound design aptly reflects the frenetic ambiance of NYC, employing immersive use of surround speakers. Expect to hear realistic depictions of traffic sounds, busy stock trading rooms, subway noise, and the ambient serenity of Central Park. The mix includes notable cross-channel movements such as roaring motorcycles and beating helicopter rotors, enhancing the sense of spatial dynamics. The 5.1 configuration shines by bringing life to various scenes—the LFE channel offers deep, resonant bass intermittently to underscore the musical score and action sequences.

While not boundary-pushing in terms of home theater calibration, the audio track intricately supports the film's narrative and setting. The score by Craig Armstrong, with contributions by David Byrne, is complemented well by appropriate bass responses and a supportive dynamic range. The mix balances dialogue-driven drama with bursts of auditory engagement, ensuring a coherent and enjoyable listening experience. Overall, this audio presentation adeptly supports the thematic elements and realism portrayed in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," providing an engaging and technically sound auditory journey.

The Blu-ray extras for "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" offer a blend of insightful content and comprehensive perspectives. Director Oliver Stone provides a meticulous audio commentary that delves into the filmmaking process and the intricate dynamics of Wall Street. The engaging roundtable discussion with the cast tackles both character development and socio-economic issues, making it a compelling watch. The featurettes provide an in-depth analysis of the financial sector’s evolution and its excesses. Additionally, deleted scenes with optional commentary enrich the viewing experience, while character-centric segments from the Fox Movie Channel bring further depth to the key figures in the film. High-definition trailers and a digital copy bonus disc round out this robust set of extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Oliver Stone: Insightful commentary covering filmmaking and Wall Street themes.
• A Conversation with Oliver Stone and the Cast: Roundtable discussion on characters and economic issues.
• Money, Money, Money: The Rise and Fall of Wall Street: Series of featurettes on Wall Street history and analysis.
• Deleted/Extended Scenes: Includes 15 scenes with optional director commentary.
• Fox Movie Channel Presents: In Character: Character-centric promos for main cast members.
• Trailers: Teaser and theatrical trailers in HD.
• BD-Live with Live Lookup
• Digital Copy Bonus Disc

Oliver Stone's "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" revisits the iconic character of Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), following his release from prison after a significant stint for insider trading. Michael Douglas seamlessly embodies Gekko, bringing a layered performance that captures the character’s ruthless ambition and manipulative prowess. Carey Mulligan plays Gekko’s estranged daughter, Winnie, who despises her father's past actions, while Shia LaBeouf's Jake Moore is an idealistic trader seeking to pioneer clean energy solutions. The interplay between these characters reflects the current economic milieu and personal vendettas, with Gekko's survival instincts and Jake's ambition driving the narrative.

The film juxtaposes Gekko's return to Wall Street against the backdrop of the 2008 financial collapse, using it as a platform to explore broader themes of greed and redemption. While Stone infuses the movie with moments of satirical jabs at the financial system, his tone seems more resigned than outraged, suggesting that greed is an inevitable part of the economic cycle. A key highlight is Gekko's lecture on "steroid banking," representing Stone’s didactic approach to communicating the darker facets of financial speculation and irresponsibility.

However, the focus shifts from Gekko to LaBeouf’s Jake, whose complex character is both his strength and a point of contention. While Jake provides a fresh perspective on Wall Street’s machinations, LaBeouf's portrayal lacks the gravitas needed to make his character entirely believable as a young financial prodigy. Additionally, secondary characters like Mulligan’s Winnie and Josh Brolin’s Bretton James suffer from underdeveloped arcs that dilute their potential impact. Stone’s narrative falters somewhat in its sprawling subplots which, while ambitious, occasionally lose cohesion.

Ultimately, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" navigates the tumultuous world of finance with a mix of melodrama and introspection. Despite occasional missteps in character development and narrative focus, the film remains an insightful, if slightly superficial, exploration of greed and its ramifications on personal and professional relationships.

"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" delivers an entertaining, albeit sometimes frustrating, portrayal of the high-stakes world of American finance. Oliver Stone's direction, while occasionally veering into superfluous territory, effectively showcases the impacts of relentless money pursuits on personal relationships. The film may not achieve the same iconic status as its predecessor, "Wall Street," but it remains worth watching, especially to catch up with the infamous Gordon Gekko.

The Blu-ray release from Fox is outstanding, offering a near-faultless video transfer that makes the dramatized world of finance visually compelling. The immersive audio quality ensures that every dialogue-driven scene is crisp and engaging, which is essential for a talkative drama such as this. Additionally, the Blu-ray is packed with a healthy selection of special features, including a commentary from Stone that will surely satisfy his ardent fans.

In conclusion, while "Money Never Sleeps" might miss the satirical heights of the original "Wall Street," it stands on its own as an insightful and occasionally poignant drama. The Blu-ray presentation is top notch, making it a recommended addition to any film aficionado’s collection.