Stolen Blu-ray Review

The high-definition Blu-ray presentation of "Stolen" is a solid offering from Millennium Entertainment. The 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer produces a clean, crisp picture with excellent detail and color reproduction that brings the urban landscape of New Orleans to life. Rich colors, such as vibrant yellows and blues of cabs, are accompanied by the earthen and urban grays of the city, providing a brilliant array of hues. However, the palette can appear slightly washed out at points, particularly in night scenes, where the black levels are just shy of perfection but still maintain a steady and pleasing quality. The complex cityscape is perfectly defined, even in longer distance and overhead shots, contributing to the clarity and sharpness of facial and clothing details throughout the film. Barely noticeable instances of banding do little to detract from the generally pristine image quality.

Contrasts in "Stolen" are adeptly handled, with stark whites indicative of New Orleans' Southern milieu appearing hot and bright without bleeding into finer details. Nighttime scenes benefit from enhanced detail, where actors stand out even against nearly all-black backgrounds, lending a sense of vibrancy that contrasts with the overall subdued daytime look and feel. The cinematography, utilizing a shot-from-the-hip style, creates a somewhat sterile appearance but doesn't diminish the meticulous detail captured in tight shots of actors' faces. Although some muted instances affect purples, yellows, and greens associated with Mardi Gras due to the filmmakers' choice of a more claustrophobic shooting style, this does allow for more fine details to be highlighted, albeit at the expense of capturing the city's potential grandeur.

While New Orleans' atmospheric potential seems underutilized, resulting in an image reminiscent of made-for-TV or direct-to-video aesthetics, "Stolen" nevertheless demonstrates strong fine detail and texture consistency throughout. Despite occasional soft focus, the close-up shots greatly benefit from the fine detail displayed. As aesthetically pleasing as these aspects are, they don't necessarily elevate the visual scope to cinematic grandness, but the Blu-ray presentation is undeniably commendable for its clarity, color precision, and overall visual fidelity.

The Blu-ray of "Stolen" offers an intriguing yet somewhat inconsistent Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The film’s audio presentation strikes a balance between satisfying the basic requirements for immersive sound while occasionally faltering in execution. Music has a good general presence, with noticeable heft and natural clarity, particularly in the lively, Vince Guaraldi-esque jazz piano score that sweeps smoothly across the front-side and occasionally into the rear channels. Directional effects during action scenes are well-executed, contributing to a dynamic soundstage with elements like a heavy vault chunk zipping from front to back with satisfying impact.

Ambient details, such as the Mardi Gras festivities, provide a steady stream of mood-critical ambiance but fall short of complete immersion. While dialogue is generally even and clear, certain parts, especially in the film's first quarter, suffer from inconsistent levels, with occasional dips making it hard to follow. This issue becomes more pronounced in scenes where additional layered noise overpowers actors' lines. However, sound effects are managed adequately, with the front and rear channels working efficiently to create a cohesive audio environment.

LFE usage adds appropriate zest during the climax and action sequences, giving the soundtrack a robust edge when needed. Despite its pitfalls, the audio track offers enough lively moments to keep listeners engaged, delivering most elements effectively. This makes "Stolen"'s audio presentation a well-rounded but not standout feature of the Blu-ray experience, demonstrating both its strengths and areas needing improvement in providing a comprehensive auditory experience for the audience.

The Blu-Ray of "Stolen" offers a few compelling extras, highlighted by an in-depth multi-participant interview piece and a collection of raw behind-the-scenes footage. The Featurette provides insights into the collaboration between the director Simon West and Nicolas Cage, along with action scene secrets and character dynamics. The extensive Cast & Crew Interviews section features Director West and actors discussing their characters, the film's story, and the unique, eccentric style West encouraged throughout production. The Behind the Scenes segment delivers unfiltered on-set raw footage, allowing viewers to peek into the real-time filmmaking process. These extras are succinct but rich, capturing essential elements of the movie’s creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Featurette: Insights from cast and crew about the script, action scenes, and director Simon West.
• Cast & Crew Interviews: In-depth discussion with director and key actors on storytelling and character nuances.
• Behind the Scenes: Raw on-set footage providing a real-time look into the filmmaking process.
• Previews: Additional Millennium Entertainment titles.

"Stolen," an action thriller starring Nicolas Cage, is a synthesis of predictable heist-film and kidnapping-drama tropes. Directed by Simon West, the film follows Will Montgomery (Cage), a master thief who, after serving time for a botched bank heist, must rescue his kidnapped daughter from his vengeful ex-partner, Vincent (Josh Lucas). Lucas infuses his role with a menacing bravado that contrasts sharply with Cage's uncharacteristically subdued performance. Supporting roles from Malin Akerman and Danny Huston add little depth, showcasing pedestrian dialogue and stilted interactions.

Despite its lack of originality, "Stolen" manages to maintain a level of slick technical competence. Chase scenes and action sequences are competently filmed, though they lack the visceral excitement found in superior genre films like "Taken" or "Live Free or Die Hard." The film's structure adheres rigidly to familiar clichés, often feeling like an assemblage of scenes from better action movies. However, some moments stand out, such as Vincent’s unhinged antics, which infuse a semblance of energy into the otherwise monotonous narrative.

In essence, "Stolen" fits the bill as a disposable yet mildly entertaining piece of cinema. It's akin to fast food – providing quick, low-grade satisfaction without offering anything substantial or memorable. The film's saving grace is the theatrical overacting by Lucas and Huston, whereas Cage’s restrained approach leaves fans yearning for his trademark intensity. Overall, watch "Stolen" if you seek a momentary diversion but lower your expectations for innovation or lasting impact.

"Stolen" is an intriguing exercise in mediocrity. While it doesn't break new ground in the action genre, it manages to provide a serviceable level of casual entertainment. Audiences looking for a slick production with no ambition beyond general enjoyment will find it acceptable. The film is a derivative and unoriginal picture, emphasizing tried-and-true tropes that result in a competent, if uninspired, viewing experience. It's worth noting the technical proficiency of the Blu-ray release, which features high-quality video and audio, ensuring that the visual and auditory elements are well-represented.

The film's performances, particularly Lucas' fantastically insane portrayal, offer some highlights. However, moments of unintentionally humorous coincidences, such as kids tap-dancing to danger music amid a high-stakes chase, fail to elevate the film from its overall listlessness. The plot meanders towards its predictable climax, missing opportunities to embrace its B-movie potential fully. Despite some tacky attributes that could have lent an enjoyable cheesiness to the movie, the film ultimately falls into trivial and misguided territory.

In conclusion, "Stolen" serves as a passable piece of casual entertainment, but it falls short of more aspirational cinema. The Blu-ray release enhances the viewing experience with strong technical execution but cannot elevate the film's inherent mediocrity. Potential viewers might consider renting or purchasing this film when found in a bargain bin, as it offers amusement without demanding anything beyond low expectations.