Mad City Blu-ray Review

"Mad City's" Blu-ray presentation, sourced from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative, offers a pristine 1080p viewing experience. The film, shot on 35mm with the Super 35 format, is framed in a widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The result is a picture with exceptional sharpness and flawless color depth, providing an immersive viewing experience. Despite being a product of its time, the film maintains a clean and crisp image with no noticeable compression artifacts, consistent with Warner Archive's reputation for high-quality restorations. However, some viewers may notice a slight lean towards teal in portions of the color palette; this does not distract from the overall authenticity of the presentation.

Depth and contrast are particularly noteworthy, as are the impressive black levels, which enhance detail during pivotal nighttime scenes. The exterior shots, especially those involving crowds and police activity, are well delineated, demonstrating a consistent clarity that runs throughout the movie. Interior scenes maintain a uniform lighting quality, with natural sunlight subtly indicating daylight without overpowering the image. This is particularly effective within the museum setting where light comes through windows, providing a visually engaging atmosphere without compromising detail.

In summary, those familiar with Warner Archive's offerings will find "Mad City" to be a strong addition to their collection, exemplifying their commitment to purist video quality and comprehensive restoration efforts. The careful handling of both daytime and nighttime visual elements ensures that the film remains compelling from start to finish, delighting both longtime fans and new audiences alike.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "Mad City" is impressively engineered, delivering a robust auditory experience that effectively immerses the viewer. Notable for its clarity and balance, the audio presentation features dialogue predominantly in the center channel, while ambient sounds such as police and ambulance sirens, children’s laughter, and helicopter flyovers are distributed engagingly across the front and rear channels. Although the dialogue is mostly sharp, it should be noted that Dustin Hoffman’s soft-spoken delivery can occasionally challenge audibility amid more intense scenes.

Thomas Newman's musical score is integrated throughout the soundstage, adeptly filling quieter moments without overshadowing the on-screen action. While his score does not stand out as particularly unique, it efficiently complements the film’s dynamics, maintaining a steady presence that enriches the scenes' emotional weight. Surround effects are used sparingly yet effectively; situations like shotgun blasts and explosions adequately engage the LFE channel to deliver satisfactory bass response.

Despite a brief audio anomaly—a pop in the surround-rear channel at 1:51—the DTS-HD 5.1 track remains largely defect-free and engaging. The balance of sound effects, dialogue, and music results in a clean and cohesive soundscape that accurately supports the film’s atmosphere and pacing. Overall, this audio presentation exemplifies professional craftsmanship, ensuring that the film's auditory elements are both impactful and immersive.

The Blu-ray release of "Mad City" provides minimal additional content, leaving fans wanting more given the original film's potential. The extras are limited and revolve around the promotional aspect of the movie rather than substantive behind-the-scenes insights or cast interviews. The inclusion of just a theatrical trailer as the carryover extra highlights the missed opportunity for a deeper exploration into the talent involved, such as Robert Prosky and William Atherton, whose performances are noteworthy. This sparse offering may disappoint collectors and film enthusiasts seeking comprehensive insights or historical context about the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage promotional piece available in HD format, showcasing brief film highlights.

Costa-Gavras' "Mad City" revisits the recurring trope of media manipulation, echoing the themes from classics like Wilder’s "Ace in the Hole" and Lumet’s "Dog Day Afternoon," albeit with a modern veneer. The film explores the breakdown in judgment faced by both an over-the-hill reporter and a desperate, unemployed museum guard. Despite its paler hue compared to their incisive critiques, Mad City provides a substantial narrative propelled by the telling performance of Dustin Hoffman as Max Brackett, a journalist yearning to claw back his tarnished reputation. John Travolta offers a competent portrayal of Sam Baily, though his character’s dim-witted disposition and rapid emotional swings feel superficially rendered rather than deeply relatable.

Commencing with a gripping real-time situation, the film transitions into an exhaustive three-day standoff. The story’s initial crescendo flattens as uncanny opportunism is systematically unveiled. Tom Matthews’ screenplay delves into cynical satire concerning personal ambition versus media exploitation. Still, the maintained tension ebbs due to underdeveloped suspense arcs, rendering parts of the film seemingly stagnant. The ensemble cast provides reliable support, though some, like Mia Kirshner’s character Laurie, undergo rapid transformations that are less than credible within the film's timeframe.

In terms of thematic resonance, "Mad City" attempts to critique both individual greed and society’s collective fervor for spectacle over substance. Costa-Gavras’ direction highlights these issues with structural objectivity yet struggles to maintain a balance between personal drama and overarching societal critique. While its narrative structure aligns closely with its influencers and competes within their thematic realms, it falls short in delivering the same piercing commentary. The new Blu-ray edition by Warner Archive offers an enhanced audiovisual presentation, making it a worthy acquisition for those interested in an introspective though somewhat diluted discourse on media ethics in a digital age.

"Mad City," directed by Costa-Gavras, emerges as a mixed cinematic offering, with its ambitious yet somewhat flawed execution. The Blu-ray release by Warner Archive delivers an excellent audiovisual experience that enhances this film's immersion, reviving it for a new audience. Despite its initial poor reception in 1997, the film possesses a compelling drama/thriller essence rather than succeeding fully as a satire. The critique of media's influence is poignant but often overshadowed by a lack of focus and overly dramatic punches that dilute its impact.

The film boasts notable performances, especially from Robert Prosky, William Atherton, and Mia Kirschner, which lend quality to the narrative. However, it suffers from predictability and contrived plot progressions, undermining its potential. The interwoven newsroom melodrama diverts from the central tension between the reporter and hostage-taker. While "Mad City" attempts to emulate the sharp societal commentary of films like Billy Wilder's "Ace in the Hole," it falls short of those high-water marks in emotional and dramatic impact.

In conclusion, "Mad City" holds value as a serviceable drama with moments of insight into media manipulations. Its overall execution may have been inconsistent, but with the added clarity and quality provided by the Blu-ray transfer, it merits consideration for its entertaining elements and dedicated performances. It is recommended for audiences interested in media-themed narratives despite its narrative pitfalls.