The Raven Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Raven" offers a highly stylized and meticulously executed AVC-encoded transfer presented in 1080p. The film's period-specific aesthetic leans heavily on a muted sepia tone that enhances its thematic elements. Despite using a predominantly limited color palette, secondary colors like brown and blue remain subdued, while grays and whites are well-delineated. Though the film's visual design requires an adjustment to its 'colorless' approach, it rewards viewers with nuanced and deep blacks that offer appreciable gradations and dynamic highlights. This movie's dark cinematography replicates the low-lit environments flawlessly, preserving detail in both dark and light elements without overdriving contrast or brightness levels.

Shot on 35mm, "The Raven" retains its inherent filmic texture with a minimal layer of grain that doesn't intrude on the viewing experience. Notably, the film’s high definition presentation succeeds in maintaining a lucid and sharp image, particularly in close-up shots where fine details such as facial features, hair, and clothing textures are prominently defined. Long-range shots may not resolve as crisply but still appear dimensionally satisfying. The transfer appears faithful to the source, offering no apparent compression issues or digital anomalies. Although black levels can crush slightly—an intentional choice to complement the film's moribund look— the overall image remains dense and richly stylized, with no wishy-washy grayness in the shadows.

Ruhlmann's cinematography effectively generates a melancholy vibe with its use of natural lighting in indoor scenes, creating a sepia-like tone that supports visibility. Daylight sequences benefit from a gray overcast while maintaining bright contrast and crisp whites. Full-bodied and dynamic black levels provide excellent gradational details most of the time, though there are occasional moments where the image loses minor luster. Nevertheless, the high definition quality ensures that lifelike textures are superbly rendered, down to every pore and wrinkle, making this Blu-ray presentation both impressive and faithful to the filmmakers' intent.

The audio presentation of "The Raven" on Blu Ray is a prime example of how a well-engineered sound mix can enhance a film's immersive qualities. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track fully harnesses the potential of multi-channel setups, offering a dynamic aural experience that integrates seamlessly with the visual elements. Dialogue reproduction is superb, with transparent realism and lucid texture, well-prioritized in the front soundstage for clear and understandable speech. The mix masterfully incorporates a range of spatial ambiences and directional cues through the rear channels, enriching the audience's sense of the depicted environments with subtle yet effective layers of environmental sounds like distant bells and carriages.

The soundtrack shines in its ability to balance intense, high-energy moments and contemplative, atmospheric scenes. Elements such as claps of thunder, water dripping in tunnels, and piercing gunshots are rendered with room-penetrating clarity and sharp definition. Lucas Vidal's orchestral score, while sometimes feeling overly dramatic, is delivered with impeccable fidelity, adding to the film’s tense mood. The dynamic range of this mix ensures that both high-pitched sequences and low bass tones are reproduced with clarity and punch, adding palpable layers to suspenseful moments. Additionally, the rear channel activity is selectively deployed for maximum effect, reserving ambient sound to enhance specific scenes and create highly engaging environments, such as during thunderstorms or intimate confrontations.

Overall, this is an enriching audio presentation that demonstrates intentionality in design, effectively utilizing channel separation and balanced movement to create a wide, immersive soundstage. The optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles further augment the viewing experience by providing clear, easy-to-read white lettering without cluttering the screen. This careful attention to detail in audio engineering makes "The Raven" a rewarding experience for audiophiles and casual viewers alike.

The Blu Ray extras of "The Raven" provide a substantial, enriching look into the film's creation and Edgar Allan Poe's influence. The commentary by director James McTeigue and producers Marc D. Evans, Trevor Macy, and Aaron Ryder offers deep insights into the production processes, shooting locations, and creative decisions. Highlights include an engaging 13-minute making-of featurette and a 9-minute documentary exploring Poe's life through expert commentary. Deleted scenes add further context without altering the narrative significantly, while shorter featurettes cover the aesthetic elements of the film and interviews with key cast and crew. For fans of film scores, an introduction to the music team is included.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Six brief scenes, adding minor context.
• The Raven Cuts: Bringing Death to Life: Making-of featurette.
• The Madness, Misery, and Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe: Documentary about Poe.
• Behind the Beauty and Horror: Short featurette.
• The Raven Presents John Cusack & James McTeigue: Interview featurette.
• Music for The Raven: The Team: Introduction to the music crew.
• Audio Commentary: Extensive discussion with director and producers.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original movie preview.
• Bonus DVD
• Digital Copy

"The Raven," directed by James McTeigue, offers a fictionalized account of Edgar Allan Poe's final days, combining elements of Poe's grim tales and a procedural thriller. The film stars John Cusack as Poe, who imbues the character with a mix of writerly arrogance and pitiable desperation. However, the movie's core premise—Poe assisting detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) to catch a serial killer mimicking his stories—crumbles under poor execution. While Cusack's performance is commendable for its authenticity, embodying Poe's tortured genius and alcoholism, his character’s emotional depth and relationship with Emily Hamilton (Alice Eve) are underdeveloped, rendering them hollow plot devices.

Visually, "The Raven" impresses with its Gothic aesthetic, achieved through Danny Ruhlmann’s meticulous cinematography. The somber atmosphere aligns well with the gruesome crimes depicted, yet the film falters in pacing and narrative engagement. The plot’s reliance on repetitive investigation sequences grows monotonous, and the killer's reveal feels anticlimactic. Moments of tension, such as Maurice’s pocket watch scene, showcase what the film could have been—if it had consistently delivered suspense and character development.

Despite its promising premise and visual flair, "The Raven" struggles to maintain viewer interest. Its attempt to blend historical fiction with detective thriller elements falls short due to lackluster character arcs and a weak payoff. The film's ambition to transform Poe into a Sherlock Holmes-like figure is undermined by a script that fails to capitalize on the potential of its intriguing setup. In the end, while Cusack shines in his role, "The Raven" remains a visually striking but ultimately forgettable endeavor.

"The Raven" Blu-ray offers both commendable technical aspects and notable shortcomings. The film features John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe in a narrative driven by a serial killer inspired by Poe's works. Despite Cusack's commendable performance, the storyline fails to grasp attention, leaving an underwhelming impression on viewers. Visually, the Blu-ray excels with a high-definition presentation that brings the dark and brooding atmosphere to life. The audio tracks are meticulously mixed, providing a spooky soundscape that complements the film's eerie aesthetic.

The Blu-ray's extras, though limited, are mostly exclusive to this format, adding some appeal for enthusiasts of bonus content. Nonetheless, the overall lack of substantial special features might disappoint serious collectors and cinephiles. The film itself struggles with pacing issues and an unsatisfying resolution, diminishing its replay value. Despite its potential, "The Raven" comes across as more of a valiant effort that misses the mark rather than a captivating mystery thriller.

In conclusion, "The Raven" Blu-ray impresses with its technical prowess but falters in delivering a compelling narrative worthy of its subject matter. Cusack's portrayal of Poe is a standout feature, yet the film’s overall execution might leave some viewers dissatisfied. While the Blu-ray is a solid purchase for fans of Poe or Cusack, others might find it more suitable for a one-time rental.