Striking Distance Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Striking Distance" presents a 1080p video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, which yields a somewhat satisfactory visual experience, albeit with notable inconsistencies and a general lack of vibrancy distinguishing its presentation. The transfer's overall crispness is commendable, with a good film-like appearance that stays true to the movie's original cinema quality. However, it falls short in delivering the high level of detail and luster found in contemporary high-definition transfers. Despite being free from significant digital manipulation, the image occasionally appears flat, coupled with a color palette that, while natural, tends toward desaturation and lacks dynamism. This contributes to a viewing experience that, although generally faithful to the film’s intended aesthetics, sometimes feels wanting in terms of clarity and vividness.

Grain is present throughout the movie, contributing to its gritty ambiance but also highlighting the transfer's unevenness with more pronounced grain in daylight city scenes and a softer appearance in others. Nighttime shots display better depth, with blacks that are deep and flesh tones that are reliable though not particularly striking. Unfortunately, the transfer suffers from softness overall, which, along with haloing and noise—although these technical issues are not pervasive—diminishes its quality. Certain scenes, especially wider shots and interiors, fare better with improved detail and clarity, but the portrayal often feels held back by its original cinematic approach, which attempted a sort of grittiness that translates awkwardly onto Blu-ray.

In essence, while this Blu-ray edition might represent the best that "Striking Distance" has looked on video to date, the MPEG-4 AVC 1080p transfer struggles to truly impress. The visual experience it offers is a mixed bag: it successfully avoids significant technical glitches and preserves the film's intended visual tone but does so within the confines of a presentation that lacks the depth, sharpness, and vividness expected of modern high-definition Blu-ray releases.

"Striking Distance" makes its mark with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack that might not redefine the genre but certainly satisfies the auditory expectations for a film of its era and budget. The soundtrack does an admirable job at immersing viewers, with a generally well-balanced mix that keeps dialogue clear and intelligible across all channels. Notably, the audio makes clever use of directional effects and ambient sounds to enhance the realism of its environment, whether it's the subtle chirping of crickets that blurs the line between film and reality, or the dynamic roar of engines and gunfire that punctuates the action sequences. While dialogue, featuring varied accents and deliveries from a cast including Dennis Farina and Bruce Willis, remains crisp and prioritized, there's a noticeable fluctuation in volume during action scenes and the score, which may distract rather than engross.

The surround sound channels are consistently engaged, supporting both the adrenaline-fueled action and creating a convincing atmospheric backdrop for the quieter, more suspenseful moments. However, the mix does occasionally miss the mark in delivering the polished clarity and sharpness found in more contemporary soundtracks. The subwoofer, although slightly underutilized, contributes to the overall impact without overwhelming the soundscape. Explosions and car chases, while lacking the depth found in newer productions, nonetheless provide an adequate punch that will please fans of early '90s action cinema.

In essence, while "Striking Distance" won't be heralded for its audio innovation, it provides a solid auditory experience that complements its on-screen thrills decently. The effort made to leverage the surround setup enhances immersion significantly, even if some elements like the midrange during quieter scenes and the inconsistency in score volume leave room for improvement. With additional language tracks and subtitles provided, the presentation is accessible while maintaining the core experience intact for a diverse audience.

The Blu-ray release of "Striking Distance" notably lacks film-specific extras, instead focusing on a rather slim offering: a BD-Live feature and a collection of high-definition previews for other films. This particular edition does not include any behind-the-scenes content, interviews, or commentary tracks that are often sought after by fans and collectors. The inclusion of BD-Live, a feature allowing for internet-based content access, suggests some level of interactivity potential, but without additional exclusive content, its utility might be seen as minimal. The high-definition previews, while visually appealing, are merely generic supplements and do not offer any insight or added value to the "Striking Distance" viewing experience. This sparse selection underscores a missed opportunity to enhance the Blu-ray package with more engaging and film-specific bonus materials.

Extras included in this disc:

• HD 6 BD Previews: High-definition trailers for The International, Lakeview Terrace, The Da Vinci Code, Tears of the Sun, Vantage Point, and 88 Minutes.
• BD-Live enabled: Access to internet-based features, compatible with Blu-ray Profile 2.0.

"Striking Distance" emerges as a mid-tier action thriller, embracing the tried-and-true formula of its cop movie predecessors while carving out its niche with a distinctive Pittsburgh setting and a plot that mingles familial loyalty with professional duty. Bruce Willis stars as Tom Hardy, a detective demoted to river patrol after accusing a fellow officer of corruption, navigating the murky waters of police politics and a chase for a sadistic serial killer. The film, punctuated by conventional action sequences and a plot that thickens with conspiracy, offers enough suspense and intrigue to keep audiences engaged, albeit without treading new cinematic ground.

Despite its formulaic structure, the film’s emotional underpinnings and character dynamics—especially Hardy's fraught relationship with his partner (Sarah Jessica Parker) and his own family—add layers to its narrative. The Pittsburgh backdrop serves not just as a setting but as a character, embedding the story within a rich tapestry of local color that includes cameos from real-life news anchors and meticulous attention to regional detail. This authenticity lends "Striking Distance" an atmosphere that compensates for its otherwise predictable story arcs.

However, the film is not without its detractors, who criticize its reliance on clichés and lackluster performances, particularly Willis', who has since disavowed the film. The mix of a high-speed chase that lacks excitement, an uneven score, and sporadic attempts at humor does little to elevate the film above mediocrity. Despite these shortcomings, "Striking Distance" manages to deliver an action-packed ride with moments of genuine tension and intrigue, though it falls short of becoming either a standout hit or a cult classic.

In examining the Blu-ray presentation of "Striking Distance," it's evident that the movie itself navigates through the oft-trodden paths of its genre with a certain level of finesse, not necessarily charting new territories but firmly holding its ground amidst action cinema. The film, featuring Bruce Willis in a role that doesn’t quite eclipse his paramount performances but nonetheless demonstrates his capacities, delivers a blend of satisfactory character development, commendable acting, and a plot that effectively sustains tension and interest. While the film may not ascend to the apex of action movie pantheon, it offers a solid viewing experience worthy of the investment for fans of the genre. The technical delivery of this Blu-ray version is notably competent, showcasing a robust 1080p video quality and an immersive lossless audio track, which are commendable despite the disc's evident shortfall in supplementary content related to the film.

The viewing setup employed for this review — from the JVC DLA-RS20 1080p High Definition Front Projector and Carada Precision Screen to the high-fidelity audio facilitated by Oppo, Denon, and Canton equipment — reveals that "Striking Distance" on Blu-ray synchronizes well with sophisticated home theater systems. The sharpness and clarity of the image, alongside the precision of the soundtrack, enhance the overall cinematic experience. However, the Blu-ray’s lack of extras detracts from its value as a comprehensive package, leaving enthusiasts wanting more than just the film itself.

Conclusively, while "Striking Distance" on Blu-ray presents with commendable audiovisual quality, making it an acceptable addition to a Blu-ray collection for genre fans when priced appropriately, it is outweighed by its deficiencies – notably, the conspicuous absence of film-related supplementary materials and the movie’s struggle to surpass mediocrity. Such drawbacks render this release a missed opportunity to derive greater value from the home viewing experience. It stands as a testament that even with superior viewing and audio setups, the ultimate worth of a Blu-ray disc is significantly influenced by the depth and breadth of content it brings beyond the film itself.