Battle of the Sexes Blu-ray Review

"Battle of the Sexes" arrives on Blu-ray with a commendable AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Shot on 35mm film by cinematographer Linus Sandgren and mastered at 2K resolution, the film exudes a period-authentic look reminiscent of the 1970s. The yellow and green tinged color palette provides a nostalgic timbre, albeit with an intended softness that occasionally mutes fine detail. However, the overall detail remains excellent, with close-ups revealing nuances such as flyaway hairs and textured fabrics. The grain is evenly layered, contributing to a thick, textured visual that amplifies the film's intended vintage ambiance.

The visual presentation is bolstered by natural colors and enriching contrast, making darker scenes appear deep and visually engaging. While some outdoor sequences can appear dimly lit, this is consistent with the film's stylistic choices. Black levels are robust and add significant depth, although the yellow filter induces slight washing out in some scenes. Despite these minor concessions to authenticity, "Battle of the Sexes" presents no visible video artifacts, aliasing, or compression anomalies.

In essence, while "Battle of the Sexes" may not provide the razor-sharp detail typical of modern high-definition releases, its visual quality is cohesive with its artistic intent. The film benefits from lush period-appropriate colors, strong black levels, and a well-resolved grain structure that collectively create an immersive experience. The absence of any notable technical flaws ensures that the home video release faithfully represents the filmmakers' vision, making it an excellent transfer that marries historical aesthetic with contemporary technology.

The "Battle of the Sexes" Blu Ray's audio presentation, featuring a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, is unexpectedly bold given the primarily dramatic nature of the film. While much of the plot revolves around interpersonal drama, which naturally aligns with a front-loaded mix, the track notably opens up during the sports sequences, creating a spacious and immersive sound stage. The tennis matches come to life with boisterous surround effects and punchy LFE, encapsulating the energetic ambiance of live sports events. Additionally, the film's fidelity is superb, ensuring clean and tonally balanced dialogue throughout, seamlessly layered with atmospheric sounds.

Front channels effectively convey dialogue, ambient noises, and musical scores, presenting a well-balanced and dynamic auditory experience. Despite this focus, the rear channels are skillfully employed in key scenes to heighten immersion, significantly in crowded spaces like locker rooms and press conferences. The dynamic range of the audio track is commendably wide, effortlessly navigating between low-level sounds and expansive audio sequences, adding a sense of gravity and depth to the film’s auditory landscape.

The integration of 1970s pop tunes like Elton John’s "Rocket Man" and George Harrison's "What is Life" further enhances the audio experience, sounding particularly vibrant in the 7.1 format. The climactic match sequence stands out for its dynamic engagement, drawing the listener into the event with clear dialogue and rousing crowd noises. Complementing this primary English lossless track are various Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in multiple languages and a Descriptive Audio option, alongside extensive subtitle choices. Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track not only supports but elevates the film’s viewing experience.

The Blu-ray of "Battle of the Sexes" offers a solid array of extras that provide depth and context to the film's historical recount. Notably, the 18-minute featurette "Reigniting the Rivalry" stands out with extensive behind-the-scenes insights, including contributions from the directors, producers, cast members, and Billie Jean King herself. "Billie Jean King: In Her Own Words" is particularly compelling, featuring a succinct yet powerful interview with King, where she vividly recounts her experiences during the actual events. Additionally, "Raw Footage: Billie Jean's Grand Entrance" provides a unique glimpse into the film’s production process, despite its lack of audio. The included photo galleries—comprising Unit Photography and Set Design—are a welcome addition, allowing for an in-depth visual exploration.

Extras included in this disc:

• Raw Footage: Billie Jean's Grand Entrance: Raw filming without audio.
• Reigniting the Rivalry: In-depth behind-the-scenes featurette.
• Billie Jean King: In Her Own Words: Exclusive interview with Billie Jean King.
• Galleries: Unit Photography and Set Design galleries.

"Battle of the Sexes" presents an engaging portrayal of a landmark event in tennis and social history. Set against the infamous 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, the film is elevated by sterling performances from Emma Stone and Steve Carell. Stone brings a nuanced depth to King, embodying her struggle for gender equality on and off the court while grappling with her sexual identity. Carell's Riggs is both comedic and tragic, oscillating between a contrived showman and a man wrestling with gambling demons. Their chemistry highlights the dichotomy of their public personas versus private lives, making the historical spectacle deeply personal.

However, the narrative sometimes feels bifurcated. While the titular match provides a focal point, much of the film delves into King's personal journey toward self-acceptance, alongside Riggs’ familial turmoil. This dual storyline occasionally sidelines the tennis showdown, which might frustrate those seeking a more sports-centric narrative. The screenplay by Simon Beaufoy endeavors to balance these threads, but the historical match often feels overshadowed by King’s blossoming relationship with Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) and Riggs’ strained marriage with Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue). Nonetheless, the portrayal of this personal vs. public conflict lends the film its emotional resonance.

Despite its sometimes uneven pacing, "Battle of the Sexes" succeeds in capturing the era’s socio-political climate through authentic period details and strong supporting performances, including standout turns by Sarah Silverman and Bill Pullman. The film intertwines a vibrant rewind to the early '70s cultural battleground with modern relevance, reflecting ongoing discussions about gender equality and LGBTQ+ acceptance. Its strength lies in its ability to humanize historic figures within their monumental context, making it a compelling watch for both sports aficionados and advocates of social justice.

"Battle of the Sexes" is a compelling yet imperfect film, masterfully balancing between a biopic and social commentary. Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, it's an engaging narrative delving into the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). The film juggles themes of women's equality, sexual awakening, and sports drama with some difficulty, making it feel somewhat bloated. Despite this, the standout performances by Stone and Carell anchor the film, providing enough emotional depth to carry the viewer through its divided focus.

The Blu-ray release from 20th Century Fox shines in the technical department. The 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio encapsulates the period details vividly, offering a superb visual experience. The audio, featuring English DTS-HD MA 7.1 among various other languages, ensures an immersive auditory experience. Special features included in the Blu-ray package offer additional value, making it a rewarding investment for both casual viewers and cinephiles.

In conclusion, I genuinely enjoyed "Battle of the Sexes," largely due to Steve Carell's incredible performance. While the film tries to cover too much ground, losing some tension along the way, its strengths lie in the engaging performances and strong technical presentation. 20th Century Fox delivers a solid Blu-ray with great audio and decent extras, making it a recommended watch—worth viewing at least as a rental.