Justice Blu-ray Review

Universal's Blu-ray presentation of "Justice" offers a digitally-shot 1080p transfer framed at 1.78:1, utilizing the AVC codec. The image is clean and smooth, highlighting the cost-effectiveness and ease of digital cinematography, although it somewhat lacks the textural richness typically resonant with the genre's rugged landscapes. Occasional mild banding and noise are present but not particularly disruptive. The transfer boasts solid detail levels, with close-ups revealing intricate textures of clothing, wooden façades, dusty streets, and facial details. Objects like scuffed firearms and leather holsters appear impressively detailed, contributing to an overall satisfactory high-definition experience.

Color reproduction is another strong point in this release. Although the palette largely consists of dusty browns and beiges to match the film's setting, elements such as a red dress and matching lipstick provide well-saturated hues that stand out against the muted background. Additionally, black levels hold firm, and skin tones are realistic, despite occasional moments of seemingly desaturated colors and milky contrast. Overall, Universal's Blu-ray of "Justice" delivers a competent visual presentation that aligns well with the film’s specific aesthetic demands, managing to offer a polished viewing experience despite the inherent limitations of its digital capture.

The audio presentation of "Justice" on Blu-ray features a functional yet uninspired DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The music, composed by Boris Zelkin, provides fair front-end spacing and an immersive background score. Unfortunately, the surrounds add minimal depth, requiring close proximity to detect their engagement, notably during the opening titles. The dialogue is well-recorded, consistently clear, and primarily routed through the center channel, ensuring excellent detail and prioritization throughout the film.

Ambient effects are generally effective, contributing decently to the overall auditory environment of the film. Instances such as rolling thunder and bar noises, however, can sound somewhat detached and less authentic. In moments of action, such as the final shootout in the third act, gunfire delivers adequate punch and immersion with shots emanating from various speakers around the viewer.

Overall, while specific elements like dialogue delivery and background scores are handled proficiently, the mix leans too heavily on front-centric presentations. The rear channels are underutilized, notably affecting atmospheric depth and surround sound engagement during climactic moments like the shootouts.

The Blu-ray release of "Justice" offers an underwhelming selection of supplemental content, significantly lacking in depth. Viewers will need to be content with a modest collection of promo trailers and a digital copy code for UV/iTunes. The absence of exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, or making-of documentaries leaves much to be desired for fans seeking a comprehensive viewing experience. This minimalistic approach detracts from the overall value of the Blu-ray package, especially when compared to other more robust releases in the market.

Extras included in this disc:

• Promo Trailers: Dead Again in Tombstone, Megan Leavey, Priceless, Logan Lucky, The Mummy.
• Digital Copy: Code sheet enclosed in the case.

Richard Gabai's Justice attempts to revive the Western but falls short of breathing new life into the genre. This post-Civil War tale centers on U.S. Marshal James McCord (Nathan Parsons) who arrives in a troubled Nevada town after his preacher brother (Jackson Rathbone) is murdered. The plot, marred by indolent writing and mundane direction, fails to leverage its decent physical production and ensemble of reasonably accomplished actors. While the film ticks off genre essentials—rustic settings, six-shooters, and dusty roads—it lacks the substance, spirit, and depth necessary to engage its audience. It's a lackluster, uninspired narrative driven by superficial character motivations and lackluster performances.

The screenplay, penned by John Lewis, Shawn Justice, D.C. Rahe, and Jeff Seats, is riddled with inconsistencies and improbable developments. An underwhelming plot sees McCord uncovering a corrupt mayor's scheme to secede from the Union using an abandoned mine as a weapons storehouse. However, the story's progression feels lethargic, suffering from poor pacing and a lack of urgency in its crucial scenes. Attempts at romance and dramatic tension, including a climactic shootout and a showdown at the mine, fall flat due to rudimentary staging and lack of intensity.

The cast delivers mixed performances, with veteran actor Stephen Lang as the malevolent Mayor Pierce managing to add some gravitas despite the script's limitations. Nathan Parsons as the lead is adequate but overshadowed by Jackson Rathbone's more compelling presence in flashbacks. Jamie-Lynn Sigler's portrayal of Melissa Pope lacks natural flow, often coming off as stilted. John Lewis as the villainous Reb shows promise but isn't enough to salvage the film from its inertia. Justice is ultimately a paint-by-numbers Western that fails to evoke much-needed dynamism or emotional engagement throughout its 90-minute runtime.

Justice on Blu-ray is a frustrating experience, particularly for aficionados of the Western genre. The film's heavy reliance on period-specific costumes and settings cannot compensate for its lack of depth and vivacity. Unfortunately, the characters are one-dimensional, defined more by their attire than any discernible personality traits. Acting performances are uniformly mediocre, with wooden deliveries that contribute to a storytelling experience that is flat and unengaging.

The narrative itself leaves much to be desired, suffering from a predictable plot and an uninspired script that does little to differentiate it from countless other Westerns. The love story is tepid and lacks any genuine emotional pull, while the climactic shootout fails to generate excitement or tension. It's a contemporary Western that seems to miss the mark in almost every possible way, offering scant entertainment value even for dedicated genre enthusiasts.

Universal's Blu-ray release of Justice is equally underwhelming. The disc is disappointingly featureless, carrying only the most basic video and audio quality that are serviceable but far from outstanding. Given the lack of special features or behind-the-scenes content, this presentation does little to enhance an already lackluster film.

In conclusion, Justice is an underwhelming addition to the Western genre that suffers from uninspired storytelling and weak character development. The Blu-ray release does little to redeem the film, and with no additional features, it feels like a missed opportunity. For those seeking a worthwhile Western, this film may be best avoided.