Miracle at St. Anna Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Miracle at St. Anna delivers a high-quality video transfer with nuanced details and distinct visual styles, reflecting the film’s narrative split between World War II and early 1980s settings. The WWII scenes adopt a gritty look through prominent, consistent grain and muted colors, giving it a rough, dated aesthetic. Resolution in these segments is intentionally variable, providing sharp detail in some scenes, while others maintain a softer focus. Sepia and earth tones in the period clothing and scenery are well-balanced, contributing to the overall visual coherence. Tonally neutral flesh tones among Caucasian actors contrast with the less delineated tones of black actors, aligning with the film's visual tone. Black levels are robust, with dynamic depth and excellent contrast that retains detail without becoming overbearing.

In contrast, scenes set in 1983 showcase a bright, crisp, two-dimensional film-like quality. These segments boast vivid colors, impeccable high-definition details, and realistic skin tones. Facial detailing is particularly notable, enhancing the lifelike representation of characters. The high clarity extends to minute details such as the texture on facial hair and makeup effects designed to age the characters. Such dynamic variance between the time periods results in an engaging viewing experience, precisely reflecting the film’s artistic intent. Despite the overall excellence, some minor issues such as subtitles blending into light backgrounds are noted but do not detract significantly from the overall visual quality. This 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC transfer at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio proves to be another solid effort by Disney, ensuring both timelines are faithfully represented with fidelity to the film’s aesthetic choice.

In conclusion, Miracle at St. Anna on Blu-ray successfully marries its two distinct visual narratives through intelligent use of color palettes, grain, and resolution. The film oscillates between meticulously detailed modern-day shots and intentionally subdued wartime visuals, with rich blacks and natural flesh tones throughout. While minor subtitle readability issues are present, they are overshadowed by the overall excellence of the video transfer. This Blu-ray is exemplary in its ability to convey the director's artistic vision with precision and clarity.

The Blu-ray release of "Miracle at St. Anna" offers an exceptional auditory experience, featuring a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit) lossless soundtrack. This track showcases dynamic extended range and a meticulously balanced surround mix, particularly standing out during the action sequences. Explosions and artillery fire reverberate across the soundstage with impactful bass, creating an immersive battlefield experience. Gunfire and projectile screeches are dispersed accurately in the soundfield, enhancing the sense of realism. Notably, the quieter elements such as rolling water and distant breezes fill the soundstage with a degree of precision and vigor that contributes significantly to the overall atmosphere.

Dialogue clarity is a highlight, delivered crisply through the center channel with excellent intonation and naturalism. This is particularly commendable given the film's heavily dialogue-driven scenes. Music, although subjectively appreciated, enriches the ambiance with its smooth and airy presence, providing a deep, room-filling quality. The music score by Terence Blanchard, while not universally appealing, does complement the sensory experience through its encompassing reverberations.

Additionally, the Blu-ray disc contains Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks in French and Spanish along with optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. Overall, whether through its bombastic sequences or more serene moments, "Miracle at St. Anna's" audio presentation on Blu-ray demonstrates a first-class soundtrack that captivates through both powerful and nuanced sonic elements.

The Blu-ray release of "Miracle at St. Anna" by Buena Vista Home Entertainment features a concise yet compelling selection of extras that delve into the historical context and personal experiences of African-American soldiers during World War II. "Deeds Not Words" presents a roundtable discussion with Spike Lee, James McBride, and veterans, offering insightful perspectives. "The Buffalo Soldier Experience" is an engaging documentary that combines vintage footage and interviews to paint a vivid picture of the Buffalo Soldiers' contributions and struggles. Additionally, nine deleted scenes provide further, though not indispensable, glimpses into the film's narrative. The supplemental materials, though limited in number, are well-produced and informative, making them essential for viewers interested in historical military topics.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deeds Not Words: Discussion with Spike Lee, James McBride, and WWII veterans.
• The Buffalo Soldier Experience: History and firsthand accounts of Buffalo Soldiers.
• Deleted Scenes: Nine scenes providing additional context to the film.

Spike Lee's "Miracle at St. Anna" is an ambitious WWII drama that follows four African-American soldiers from the 92nd Infantry Division in Italy. While the film's premise—detailing their entrapment behind enemy lines and the ensuing experiences in a remote Tuscan village—is compelling, the execution leaves much to be desired. Based on James McBride's novel, "Miracle at St. Anna" tackles themes of race, hope, and perseverance. However, despite its noble intentions and powerful narrative core, the film suffers from a lack of focus and coherence. Lee attempts to blend multiple genres and themes—war epic, racial commentary, and mystical element—which causes the narrative to meander, diluting its impact.

From a technical perspective, "Miracle at St. Anna" is visually striking and audibly immersive on Blu-ray. The film features extended action sequences with notable intensity and visual style reminiscent of "Saving Private Ryan" or "Band of Brothers." The gritty realism conveyed through the cinematography and locations effectively places the audience within the wartime context. Performances from the core quartet (Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso, and Omar Benson Miller) are commendable, although some supporting characters fall into clichéd portrayals, undermining the film's more serious tones.

Unfortunately, the film's structural flaws—choppy editing and an overlong runtime—hamper its storytelling. Extended scenes often feel gratuitous, stretching the film to a taxing two hours and forty minutes. Additionally, while the attempt to infuse modern slang into 1944 dialogue might aim for relatability, it detracts from historical authenticity. Nonetheless, Spike Lee's effort to highlight the underrepresented contributions of African-American soldiers during WWII is laudable. Despite its shortcomings, "Miracle at St. Anna" offers moments of genuine emotional resonance and provides a fresh perspective on historical narratives.

Review of "Miracle at St. Anna" Blu-ray

"Miracle at St. Anna" is a complex and contemplative war film that diverges from the typical cinematic portrayal of World War II. Unlike its more action-oriented contemporaries, this Spike Lee-directed movie tackles profound themes such as race relations and spirituality. Despite its ambitious approach, the film occasionally feels disjointed and overburdened, lacking cohesion and completeness. Nevertheless, the film stands out for its unique perspective and thought-provoking narrative, making it a significant albeit imperfect entry in the genre.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Miracle at St. Anna" is exceptional. Disney has ensured high-definition visual fidelity that highlights the film's varied, evocative scenery. The audio quality is equally impressive, offering a rich and immersive experience that ranks among the best available. The disc's bonus features are somewhat sparse, consisting mainly of two featurettes that provide behind-the-scenes insights but fail to add substantial depth to the content.

In conclusion, while "Miracle at St. Anna" may not achieve the masterpiece status it seemingly aspires to, it remains a noteworthy film with high production values. Its Blu-ray version is particularly commendable, offering superior video and audio quality that enhance the viewing experience. Despite its flaws, the film warrants attention and is certainly worth watching, making this Blu-ray disc the optimal way to experience it from the comfort of home.