Sully Blu-ray Review

Warner's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation of "Sully" is an exceptional visual experience owing to its origin in a 4K digital intermediate, despite the average bitrate remaining in the mid-twenties, specifically around 24.57 Mbps. Shot by Tom Stern using Arri Alexa 65 cameras, often referred to as IMAX cameras, the clarity of this Blu-ray is nothing short of remarkable. The detail in closeups is extraordinarily precise, capturing the minutiae of facial features and cockpit controls with stunning accuracy. This resolution enhances the hyper-realism of critical scenes, such as the CG-assisted descent and landing of the airliner, extending to the dramatic moments when passengers evacuate onto the plane's wings.

The film primarily utilizes a cool color palette, manifesting in the steel-gray winter skies and neutral interiors like airport corridors and hotel suites, contrasting sharply with warm flashbacks to Sully's early career. Despite the home video cropping to a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, which sacrifices some of the IMAX footage's expansiveness, the visual presentation retains robust detail and excellent skin tone accuracy. Black levels are deep yet well-handled even in dimly lit nighttime sequences, free from issues of banding or aliasing.

Although not achieving reference-level quality, "Sully" remains a stellar Blu-ray presentation that mirrors much of its theatrical impact. The encode handles the material effectively, unmarred by any visible artifacts or distortion, and offers a highly satisfying viewing experience for audiences. This release showcases Warner's capability to deliver a visually compelling product despite technical limitations in disc space utilization.

The audio presentation of "Sully" on Blu-ray is anchored by a meticulously crafted Dolby Atmos soundtrack that captures the essence of realism both in-flight and during crucial moments of crisis. From the initiation of Flight 1549's takeoff, through the dramatic engine failure and subsequent bird strike, to the harrowing water landing, every auditory detail is masterfully positioned within the soundscape to enhance immersion. The sound design is highly accurate, portraying environments ranging from LaGuardia's jetway to the plane's cockpit and passenger cabin with precision. The sonic transitions align seamlessly with camera perspectives, ensuring that every mechanical groan and environmental sound reflects the narrative's urgency and realism.

In quieter sequences, such as NTSB hearings or intimate conversations between Sully and his wife Lorrie, subtle environmental cues enrich the experience without overshadowing the dialogue. Although primarily a dialogue-driven film, "Sully" comes alive during aircraft scenes, making extensive use of Dolby Atmos' capabilities. The mix captures the tension in key moments like the sound of overhead storage bin doors slamming shut and the eventual crash into the Hudson River, incorporating overhead helicopter sounds and emergency vehicles with convincing clarity. The dynamic range of the audio track is broad, with powerful bass extensions that are especially prominent during the plane's taxi and takeoff.

While Dolby Atmos aficionados might find limited instances where the audio fully exploits its potential outside of aviation sequences, Warner Bros. nonetheless delivers the best possible version of the film's sound. For those without Atmos setups, a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 mix ensures extended compatibility, alongside additional 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks in multiple languages and an English Descriptive Audio track. Subtitles in English SDH, French, Spanish (Latin), and Portuguese are also included, making this Blu-ray a technically robust and immersive audio experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Sully" offer a comprehensive, engaging view into the real-life event and the making of the movie. The content is robust despite the seemingly limited number of featurettes, providing an in-depth exploration from various key participants involved both in the actual incident and the film's production. Particularly notable are the first-hand accounts from Capt. Sully Sullenberger, First Officer Jeff Skiles, and air controller Patrick Harten, alongside insights from the principal cast and crew. The interviews and behind-the-scenes footage give valuable perspectives, enriched by detailed biographical content and extensive production insights.

Extras included in this disc:

• Moment by Moment: Averting Disaster on the Hudson: Detailed recount of Flight 1549 by key real-life participants.
• Sully Sullenberger: The Man Behind the Miracle: Sully's biography with contributions from his family and colleagues.
• Neck Deep in the Hudson: Shooting Sully: Behind-the-scenes feature with comments from cast, crew, and production footage from various locations.

Clint Eastwood’s "Sully" offers a compelling rendition of the Miracle on the Hudson, where Capt. Chesley Sully Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) heroically landed a US Airways Airbus A320 on the Hudson River following a bird strike. The narrative primarily focuses on the ensuing National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. This probing into the incident generates significant tension as investigators second-guess Sully’s decision-making during the crucial 208 seconds between the bird strike and the water landing. Despite his public adulation, Sully is internally tormented by self-doubt and fears regarding the economic future of his family owing to his temporary flight disqualification.

Eastwood’s direction shines in its realism and emotional depth, particularly through Hanks’ supremely skillful performance. Hanks portrays Sully with an understated subtlety, delivering a complex character grappling with trauma while being thrust into the unwanted role of a national hero. The screenplay intersperses intense flashbacks of the incident, manifesting Sully’s professional crisis management juxtaposed against the rescue operations led by first responders, which are depicted with exceptional realism. These elements underscore the surreal nature of becoming a reluctant celebrity.

While "Sully" adeptly captures the human elements of heroism and trauma, it is not without flaws. The antagonism of the NTSB investigators seems overly dramatized, leading to an unconvincing resolution. Additionally, Sully’s wife Lorrie portrayed by Laura Linney, has limited interaction with him, confined to phone conversations—potentially creating an impression of disjointed family dynamics. Nevertheless, Aaron Eckhart provides robust support as First Officer Jeff Skiles, contributing further depth to the narrative. Ultimately, "Sully" excels as a finely crafted portrayal of one man's extraordinary actions under pressure and their far-reaching impacts.

Clint Eastwood’s “Sully” offers a gripping depiction of the harrowing emergency landing on the Hudson River by Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, portrayed with exceptional nuance by Tom Hanks. The film’s narrative, which combines intense moments of crisis with the emotional and psychological aftermath, is both compelling and authentic. Eastwood's precise direction ensures that both the technical details of the aviation procedures and the human story are balanced perfectly. It’s a meticulous portrayal of expertise under pressure, grounded in Sully's profound knowledge and experience.

The Blu-ray presentation of “Sully” meets high expectations with its pristine picture quality and sharp detail, enhancing viewers' immersion into this tense and inspiring true story. The audio design is equally impressive, effectively capturing the ambient sounds of New York City and the roaring intensity of the airline emergency. These elements contribute to an enveloping viewing experience that does justice to the film’s real-life drama. The supplementary material provides additional insight into both the making of the film and the actual events, enriching the overall experience for aviation enthusiasts and film buffs alike.

Among other things, “Sully” is a reminder that expertise really does count, especially in a crisis. Sully’s ability to successfully achieve a landing previously thought impossible depended on his intimate knowledge of the A320, his Air Force training, his work as a crash investigator, and forty years of piloting craft of numerous sorts. Faced with a scenario for which there was no precedent or established procedure, he relied on everything he knew to improvise a solution that averted what could easily have been one of the worst disasters in aviation history. Eastwood has captured both the uniqueness of Sully's accomplishment and the toll that it took on him personally. Warner’s Blu-ray presentation is first-rate and highly recommended.