American Outlaws Blu-ray Review

American Outlaws" arrives on Blu-ray, brandishing its visual narrative with a 1080p transfer that is robust yet presents a few minor disturbances. The video quality showcases an authentically filmic appearance, enriched by a grain structure that complements its visual storytelling, enhancing finer details with notable precision. This precision extends from the intricate textures of period-specific clothing, marked by their varying conditions from the elegance of bankers' suits to the ruggedness of cowboy wear, to the quaint wooden facades of storefronts and the vast, dusty landscapes that frame many of the film's scenes. The desaturated color palette it adopts adds layers to its historical aesthetic, mainly comprising warmer shades like browns and beiges but is punctuated by the vibrant oranges of explosive sequences, adding a visually stimulating contrast to the overall muted tones. Skin tones are accurately presented, and black levels are satisfyingly deep, contributing to a viewing experience that is generally rich and inviting.

However, the transfer is not without its flaws. There exists some degree of edge enhancement which, although not ruinous, might distract the discerning viewer. Furthermore, minor anomalies such as occasional specks and pops mar the visual presentation, albeit not to a degree that significantly detracts from the enjoyment of the film. Despite these shortcomings, the video manages to maintain a commendable level of clarity, especially in close-up scenes where the textures of skin, stubble, and facial expressions are rendered with noteworthy sharpness.

In summation, this Blu-ray edition of "American Outlaws" delivers a video presentation that is largely successful in bringing the film's detailed aesthetic to life in high definition. The transfer does well to preserve the movie's deliberately stylized look, from its overall grain structure to its color grading, ensuring that fans and new viewers alike can appreciate the visual artistry on display. While it comes saddled with minor visual imperfections, they do little to overshadow the overall high-quality viewing experience provided by this Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "American Outlaws" delivers an audio experience through its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that finds itself nestled somewhere between competence and remarkable ambition. At the forefront of this aural journey is an opening Civil War sequence teeming with a rich array of gunfire effects, meticulously positioned to exploit the surround soundscape's full dynamic range. Each shot fired not only finds its mark in terms of auditory impact but also in its ability to convey directionality and motion, creating an enveloping atmosphere of conflict. Further into the film, a significant explosion reverberates with a depth and fullness that momentarily elevates the overall presentation, showcasing the setup's potential to deliver stage-filling intensity during high-stakes action segments.

However, the soundtrack's vigor somewhat wanes when it shifts away from its pyrotechnic and ballistic strengths. The musical score, intended to supplement the visual narrative with emotional depth and contextual atmosphere, instead comes across as lacking in vitality and nuance. Despite its spatial distribution across the channels offering a hint of depth, the music's overall execution feels subdued, missing a critical opportunity to enhance the cinematic experience. Similarly, environmental sounds and atmospheric details occasionally suffer from inconsistencies in clarity and balance, detracting from what could be a fully immersive soundscape.

On a more positive note, dialogue handling within this audio mix is adeptly managed, ensuring that spoken words remain clear, well-articulated, and properly anchored in their frontal acoustic space. This careful attention to vocal clarity allows for the film's narrative to be followed with ease, even amid the chaos of its more action-packed sequences. While the overall audio presentation of "American Outlaws" on Blu-ray demonstrates a substantial effort to create an immersive and dynamic environment, it is evident that there remains room for refinement—particularly in achieving a more harmonious blend of music and environmental soundscapes with the visceral impact of its action sequences.

The "American Outlaws" Blu-ray extras offer an insightful glimpse into the making of this modern Western. Through a series of featurettes, viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes content ranging from casting insights, particularly focusing on Colin Farrell's portrayal of Jesse James, to the detailed work that went into costuming and the creation of the film’s Old West setting. Especially notable are the discussions around the unique set constructions and the efforts to give the film a contemporary edge while staying true to historical aesthetics. The inclusion of deleted scenes adds additional layers to character relationships and plot nuances, enriching the viewer's understanding of the film's dynamics. The absence of a DVD or digital copy and slipcover may disappoint some collectors, but the high-definition upscaled content, along with trailers, provides substantial value for fans looking to delve deeper into the production aspects of "American Outlaws."

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of American Outlaws: Explores casting, story details, and production insights.
• Costuming the Cowboys: Detailed look at the costume design process.
• Creating the Old West: Insights into setting and location choices.
• Behind the Scenes Train Rescue: Brief overview of a key moment's production.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional character development scenes.
• Trailers: Teaser and theatrical trailers for promotional insight.

American Outlaws," directed by Les Mayfield, presents a contemporary take on the Western genre without straying too far from its roots. Mayfield, known for his diverse directorial ventures ranging from comedy to drama, treats the Western genre as yet another facet of his filmmaking journey, delivering a film that's lively and watchable but unlikely to secure a spot among the classics. This approach results in a movie that's aptly described as "workmanlike," offering a blend of action and drama with an undercurrent of modern flair, particularly in its soundtrack and overall demeanor. The film's essence lies in its ability to serve as engaging, albeit disposable, entertainment, replete with moments of humor and conflict that keep the audience vested without demanding much in return.

At the crux of the story is Jesse James, compellingly portrayed by Colin Farrell, whose performance strikes a balance between the ruggedness of a cowboy and the charm of a movie star. This role, coming shortly after his standout appearance in "Tigerland," showcases Farrell's capability to navigate the fine line between strength and sensitivity. Timothy Dalton, as the antagonist Allan Pinkerton, injects a level of gravity and menace, grounding the movie's otherwise light-hearted tenor with his formidable presence. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of post-Civil War America, with James and his companions turning to banditry in defiance of the exploitative advances of the U.S. Railroad. Their transition from war heroes to notorious bank robbers serves as the main narrative drive, punctuated by encounters that range from explosive confrontations to tense negotiations.

"American Outlaws" thrives on its character interactions, notably the dynamic between James and Younger and their run-ins with railroad executives, which oftentimes carry more weight than the physical skirmishes. The dialogue, teeming with contemporary sass, occasionally risks undermining the period setting but manages to stay within bounds, preserving the film's Western identity while appealing to modern sensibilities. Ultimately, the movie distinguishes itself through its charismatic leads and spirited execution rather than groundbreaking storytelling or cinematic innovation, standing as a testament to Mayfield's genre-versatility and commitment to providing straightforward, enjoyable cinema.

American Outlaws," a film attempting to re-envision the classic tales of American bandits, delivers a performance that teeters between commendable execution and notable deficiencies. The film itself is ensnared in a battle of tone, struggling to find its identity amidst a genre that has been explored with greater depth and finesse by other entries in the western canon. The action sequences stand out as well-orchestrated, and the production design, while not groundbreaking, serves its purpose adequately. However, these strengths are somewhat overshadowed by the film's inability to consistently engage viewers, particularly those with a penchant for the western genre who may be left yearning for more.

Sony's manufacture-on-demand (MOD) Blu-ray release of "American Outlaws" mirrors this dichotomy. The video and audio quality presented are commendable, providing a robust canvas for the film’s visual and auditory elements. These technical aspects ensure that the film's action sequences and scenic compositions are appreciated to their fullest. Nonetheless, it's important to note that while good, the transfer is not devoid of imperfections, particularly for enthusiasts seeking pristine quality. Additionally, the inclusion of a handful of vintage extras adds a layer of appeal without necessarily elevating the overall package to a must-have status.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "American Outlaws" presents a mixed bag. For viewers with a mild interest in westerns or those specifically intrigued by this film, the Blu-ray offers a sufficient, though not extraordinary, viewing experience. It stands as a worthwhile acquisition when priced appropriately, ideally around the $10 mark, considering both its cinematic and technologic merits. Yet, for those deeply invested in the genre or in pursuit of exceptional Blu-ray presentations, this release may not fully satisfy. Ultimately, it garners a conditional recommendation, largely dependent on viewer expectations and price sensitivity.