Son of God Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Son of God" by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 ratio. Notably shot with the Arri Alexa, a camera prized for its cinematic native HD output, the video quality exhibits commendable sharpness and clarity. However, it somewhat falls into a sleek, smooth appearance that leans more towards video than a traditional film texture. Enhanced aspect ratio occasionally introduces framing issues, cutting off parts of characters, but amplifies the grandiosity of outdoor scenes. The palette mainly revolves around beiges, browns, and whites, with bursts of accurate, though not overly vibrant, colors like the Roman reds. Despite a largely monochromatic scheme, fine details, particularly in close-ups, are remarkably clear, making some of the more intense visuals surprisingly graphic.

The video quality shines in its live-action footage, presenting a sharp and detailed image that belies expectations from a miniseries of this scale. This clarity allows textures and small details, such as the authentically rough fabrics of the period costumes, to stand out impressively. However, the CGI elements used for establishing shots of Jerusalem fall short, appearing conspicuously soft and less convincing than the live-action components. These digital effects detract from the overall visual experience, though thankfully, they are limited in number.

Despite the mostly solid presentation, there are occasional inconsistencies in black levels and some scenes exhibit mild noise, particularly in darker sequences where black crush can become evident. The variability in black depth can distract from the immersiveness of nighttime scenes. Nonetheless, the absence of significant compression artifacts and the overall strong contrast contribute to a generally pleasing viewing experience. The Blu-ray's technical merits, especially in terms of fine detail and color treatment in live-action shots, make "Son of God" a visually engaging portrayal of its sacred narrative.

The audio presentation of "Son of God" on Blu-ray, endowed with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, offers a listening experience that fluctuates in its ability to envelop and engage the audience. In its peak moments, such as Jesus' arduous journey through dense crowds or the disciples' harrowing encounter with a storm at sea, the audio mix bursts with vibrancy and an immersive quality, spotlighting the dramatic potential of the track. These sequences allow for an authentic experience, where elements like rain, thunder, and the tumult of the crowd are deftly positioned in the sound field, creating a palpable atmosphere of tension and immediacy. However, outside these dynamic scenes, the use of surround sound channels is largely reserved for the film's score—commendably co-composed by Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe—which benefits from a rich and dynamic mix across the soundstage.

Notably, dialogue remains crystal clear throughout the film, despite the variety of accents presented by the cast, which might prompt some viewers to utilize subtitles for clarity. However, the mix tends to be predominantly front-loaded, especially in scenes that could have greatly benefited from a more adventurous use of the surround and rear channels to amplify the narrative impact of crowd interactions and environmental sounds. These missed opportunities result in a certain flatness and lack of spatial depth in key moments that otherwise could have enhanced the storytelling.

The technical execution of the mix is proficient, with instances of solid fidelity and no discernible issues in audio quality. Yet, the conservative approach to spatial audio processing, particularly in vocal and effect mixing, tends to underutilize the capabilities afforded by the 5.1 configuration. Despite these shortcomings, Hans Zimmer's soundtrack consistently receives favorable treatment across the audio spectrum, providing a sonorous backdrop that occasionally imbues scenes with a much-needed sense of scale and emotional gravity.

The Blu Ray extra presentation of "Son of God" offers an enlightening glimpse into the creation and unique aspects of the film, focusing significantly on its production details, critical thematic elements, and its broader mission to reach and inspire audiences. "Son of God: Reborn" delves into the meticulous process of evolving the story from "The Bible" series into a standalone movie, highlighting the in-depth research and passion behind recreating Jerusalem and the breadth of content intended for this spiritual journey. "From the Set: The Passion" provides a raw, unspoken depiction of the crucifixion scenes, offering a visceral connection to the film's climactic moments. The Spanish-language featurette "Son of God: Un Reino Sin Fronteras" extends the film's reach, emphasizing cultural relevance and inclusivity while discussing diverse elements such as casting and localization for Spanish-speaking audiences. "Put Your Faith Into Practice" showcases the filmmakers' intentions to link storytelling with real-world impact through charitable efforts. Collectively, these extras enrich the viewing experience by offering both a behind-the-scenes look at the film's making and a deeper understanding of its aim to foster faith and compassion.

Extras included in this disc:

• Son of God: Reborn: A detailed making-of feature exploring the transition from the series to film.
• From the Set: The Passion: Behind-the-scenes footage of the crucifixion sequence.
• Son of God: Un Reino Sin Fronteras: A Spanish language featurette focusing on cultural relevance and inclusivity.
• Put Your Faith Into Practice: Discussion of Compassion International’s mission.
• Theatrical Trailer: Preview of the film.

Son of God," culled from "The Bible: The Epic Miniseries," faces the gargantuan task of retelling the well-trodden narrative of Jesus in an engaging manner. Despite its lofty aspirations, the film struggles to transcend its television series origins, both in narrative construction and visual spectacle. The movie endeavors to position Jesus’ narrative within the grand tapestry of the Bible, touching upon key biblical figures like Adam and Eve and Abraham. This approach, intended to embed Christ's story within the larger saga of divine-human relations and salvation, offers a promising start but quickly gives way to uneven storytelling. The transition from Jesus’ early life to his ministry feels particularly abrupt, leaving audiences craving a more substantial foundation for such a pivotal figure’s journey.

The film gains some narrative traction as it delves into Jesus' ministry, highlighting his key disciples and adversaries with surprisingly thorough character development. This shift towards a more character-driven narrative in the first half sets "Son of God" apart from other portrayals that often gloss over or entirely skip this crucial period of Christ's life. However, the film's second act, depicting the arrest and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus, succumbs to melodramatic performances and a softened portrayal of his sufferings, diluting the emotional and spiritual gravitas of the climax. The performance quality, while generally commendable—with Diogo Morgado's portrayal of Jesus striking a balance between humility and divinity—can veer into over-dramatization post-arrest, detracting from the film's impact.

Technical aspects further betray the film's small screen roots, with minimal sets and a sparing use of extras failing to convey the historical and cultural magnitude of the events depicted. The CGI elements intended to flesh out ancient Jerusalem offer little respite, often feeling out of place amidst the narrative. Despite these limitations, "Son of God" emerges as a commendable effort within the faith-based genre, particularly for those seeking a family-friendly portrayal of Christ's life. It represents a sincere, albeit flawed, attempt to bring the central story of Christianity to the screen, blending narrative depth with respectful reverence.

Son of God," despite its noble intentions and heartfelt execution, falls short of becoming the transcendent cinematic experience it aims to be. The film, borne from the television miniseries "The Bible," indeed showcases Roma Downey's deep faith and sincere effort to bring Jesus Christ's story to the screen. However, it is marred by several key issues. The editing lacks finesse, creating a narrative that jerks awkwardly between scenes and failing to achieve the epic scope it aspires to, revealing its television origins through a somewhat limited presentation. Technically, the Blu-ray release presents solid video quality that bolster the film's overall visual appeal, though the audio quality leaves room for improvement, being merely adequate.

From a content perspective, "Son of God" manages to stand out among faith-based films for its genuine portrayal of Christ's teachings and life, which is an accomplishment in a genre often criticized for lack of quality. Despite some disappointing CG effects, the production value is commendably high for the most part. The film's PG-13 rating is well-earned, offering a depiction of Christ's story that is accessible without venturing into the graphic extremities of films like "The Passion of Christ." Moreover, the Blu-ray edition is supplemented with notable special features, including in-depth making-of documentaries in both English and Spanish, which are highlights amidst otherwise mixed bonus content.

In conclusion, while "Son of God" may not wholly satisfy those seeking a grand cinematic portrayal of Jesus Christ's life, it accomplishes a respectable level of quality both in its honest storytelling and technical presentation on Blu-ray. It is particularly recommended for younger viewers or those new to faith-based cinema, transcending some of its narrative and technical shortcomings to offer a worthwhile viewing experience. For those looking for a sincere and respectful film about Jesus Christ that avoids the pitfalls of many other religious movies, "Son of God" merits consideration.