The Last Word Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Last Word" on Blu-Ray reveals a decidedly mixed bag in terms of visual fidelity and overall quality. With its 1080p resolution, the film, being digitally shot, displays a consistent flatness across the board which could disappoint viewers expecting the typical high-definition sparkle. The presentation struggles with smeary edges that occur frequently enough to detract from the viewing experience. Furthermore, detail in the visuals often fails to impress. While basic facial textures are captured adequately, there is a noticeable absence of finer, more captivating textual detail in the environments, clothing, and other elements. This lack of visual depth and sharpness renders the presentation somewhat pedestrian when compared to the expectations set by Blu-Ray releases from 2017 onwards.

The overall color grading and palette choice also contribute to the presentation's shortcomings. The film employs a warm, almost bronzed filter persistently throughout, leading to colors appearing slightly desaturated at various points. This choice in color temperature remains unaltered, irrespective of the changes in the movie's dynamics, affecting the natural appearance of flesh tones and making them largely inconsistent. Although the black levels are passably decent, they rarely achieve optimal depth, and while there are mentions of noise in lower light conditions, other severe source or compression artifacts thankfully do not mar the presentation significantly.

Despite these issues, it's worth noting that most of the Blu-Ray's video presentation flaws can be attributed to the source material and stylistic decisions made during production, rather than to the transfer process itself. The movie's deliberate choice of a drab filtering and muted color scheme plays a significant role in defining its visual character, for better or worse. While the transfer handles what it's given without introducing major additional problems, those looking for a reference-quality Blu-Ray video presentation might find "The Last Word" less than satisfying.

"The Last Word" presents its audience with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, the technical quality of which is competent, albeit lacking in complexity and excitement. The soundstage, though adequately engaging the aural senses with clear music extension towards the sides, falls short in delivering a deeply immersive experience. The absence of significant low-end frequencies and minimal utilization of surround sound capabilities tends to render the overall audio presentation somewhat flat and straightforward. Notably, environmental sound effects such as the distant chirping of a bird or the ambient noise of an office do add layers of atmosphere, albeit modestly and predominantly from the front channels, without much contribution from the rear.

Dialogue clarity is maintained throughout, with voices anchored firmly in the center channel, ensuring intelligibility isn't compromised despite occasionally being slightly softer in volume. This maintenance of dialogue ensures that the narrative remains accessible, even if it doesn't benefit from the dynamism a more robust surround mix might provide. The soundtrack does just enough to support the unfolding events and character interactions without distracting from them. However, the lack of adventurous use of the soundfield and absence of a compelling low-end might leave audiophiles wanting.

In essence, while "The Last Word" offers an uncomplicated and clean auditory experience, it does not venture beyond the elementary. The soundtrack functions adequately within its confines, prioritizing clarity and simplicity over auditory depth and richness. For viewers seeking an essential, no-frills listening experience that complements the visual without overshadowing it, this presentation may suffice. However, for those expecting a vibrant, full-bodied sonic landscape that fully explores the capabilities of the 5.1 setup, it may be found wanting, illustrating a cautious, perhaps overly restrained approach to sound design.

The Blu-ray release of "The Last Word" offers a minimalist approach when it comes to extra content, focusing more on the film itself rather than providing an extensive collection of special features. The package includes only a handful of previews for other Universal titles, which may disappoint some enthusiasts looking for behind-the-scenes insights or exclusive interviews. However, it compensates for this sparse selection by including practical additions such as a DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy, ensuring that buyers can enjoy the movie across different platforms. This streamlined approach suggests a prioritization of accessibility and flexibility over additional cinematic context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Previews for Universal Titles: A selection of trailers for other films from Universal.
• DVD Copy of The Last Word: A standard definition version of the film for DVD players.
• UV/iTunes Digital Copy Voucher: A code that allows the buyer to download or stream a digital copy of the film.

"The Last Word" presents a thought-provoking narrative, exploring the depths of life, legacy, and self-discovery through the eyes of Harriett Lauler (played by Shirley MacLaine) and Anne Sherman (Amanda Seyfried). Harriett, a curmudgeonly old lady determined to shape her legacy before she dies, enlists Anne, a young obituary writer with aspirations of authorship, for the task. This setup inevitably leads to a transformative journey for both characters. However, while the premise holds promise, the film struggles with its execution, maintaining a somber tone and texture that mirrors its protagonist's initial state – full of potential yet unrealized, making it difficult for the audience to fully engage with its deeper messages.

The performances by MacLaine and Seyfried, while competent, are encumbered by a script that fails to breathe life into their characters. The narrative's intention to highlight personal redemption and the impact of legacy is palpable but often feels undermined by a lack of depth and emotional resonance within their portrayals. The supporting cast, including Annjewel Lee Majestic Dixon and Anne Heche, add dimension to Harriett’s world, yet the overarching sense of transformation feels more contrived than organic. Despite these hurdles, the film's underlying themes remain poignant, offering a reflective if somewhat muted contemplation on the complexities of human connections and the indelible marks we leave behind.

Visually, "The Last Word" opts for a muted palette that aims to complement its thematic gravitas but inadvertently contributes to the film’s overall dreariness. Even as Harriett embarks on a quest for self-improvement and engages more deeply with those around her, the film's visual and tonal consistency leaves its would-be uplifting trajectory feeling stifled. Efforts to inject levity through music often clash with the prevailing solemnity, hindering the narrative’s ability to truly resonate. In essence, while "The Last Word" aspires to narrate a compelling story of life, legacy, and redemption, it falls short in execution, leaving audiences yearning for a depth and dynamism that matches its ambitious premise.

"The Last Word" on Blu-ray struggles to captivate, presenting a journey from morbidity to vivacity that fails to resonate due to its sluggish pace and lack of narrative direction. Despite the promising premise of a character's transformation as they face the end of life, the film remains tethered to its somber beginnings without truly evolving into something more meaningful or engaging. The overall execution feels lackluster, with a narrative that meanders towards a foreseeable ending without the depth or emotional impact one might hope for in such a story. This disappointing trajectory is further hampered by performances that feel uninspired, adding to the film's inability to break free from its initial gloom.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray release leaves much to be desired, offering no redeeming special features to enhance the viewing experience. Both video and audio quality are described as bland, doing little to elevate the material or compensate for the narrative and performances' deficiencies. This lack of supplementary content and average technical presentation detracts from the value of the Blu-ray, suggesting a lack of effort in providing an immersive or enriching home viewing experience.

In conclusion, "The Last Word" on Blu-ray fails to deliver a compelling or satisfying film experience, marred by its uneventful storyline, underwhelming performances, and a general sense of directionlessness. The additional shortcomings of a featureless disc with uninspiring audio and video quality only compound the disappointment. For those seeking a film with depth, humor, and heart, this release suggests that your search should continue elsewhere.