Domino Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Domino" showcases an exceptional 1080p/VC-1 transfer that fully embraces director Tony Scott's unique visual style, similar to the experience provided by "Man on Fire." Scott's distinct approach to color grading, characterized by over-saturated colors and a tendency towards yellow and amber tones in the skin, alongside deep, absorbing blacks, is reproduced with remarkable fidelity here. This may challenge traditional aesthetics, yet it unmistakably succeeds in conveying the director's vision. Details are meticulously presented, with skin textures appearing astonishingly vivid and every minute element, from the finest hairs to tiny splinters and fragments, captured with precision. Despite this enhancement in detail and contrast, the natural grain of the film is maintained without becoming a distraction, and there are no noticeable flaws such as artifacts, noise, banding, or digital noise reduction (DNR), ensuring a clean and authentic viewing experience.

However, while the overall quality of the transfer is impressive, there are minor criticisms to note. Occasional edge enhancement can be detected, although it is not significant enough to detract from the viewing experience. Additionally, the dark areas of the image occasionally obscure some details due to their depth and intensity. This is largely by design, as Scott's preference for casting his scenes in shadows and deep blacks is well documented and contributes to the film's atmospheric quality. Despite these minimal concerns, the video quality of "Domino" on Blu-ray stands out as a prime example of how to faithfully translate a director's vision onto home media. The transfer does an excellent job at balancing sharp, life-like details with the stylistic choices made during filming, ensuring that enthusiasts and fans of Tony Scott's work will find much to appreciate in this high-definition release.

In analyzing Domino's Blu-ray audio presentation via its Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track, it's immediately apparent that this soundtrack is a cut above in delivering a faithful and polished high-definition auditory experience. The low frequencies are exceptionally dynamic, exhibiting robust and powerful bass tones that add a palpable layer of intensity to the action sequences. Additionally, the rear channels are put to effective use, showcasing aggressive support for the film's numerous high-octane shootout scenes and enhancing subtler ambient sounds that bring an added layer of realism to urban environments, interior spaces are rendered with convincing clarity, creating an immersive soundfield. Despite the chaotic nature of many scenes, dialogue manages to maintain its crispness and clarity, ensuring that it remains intelligible and well-balanced amidst the cacophony. Moreover, the sound design's attention to detail is notable, with sound effects like bullet whizzes and environmental ambience executed with precision, providing a convincingly immersive experience.

However, despite its virtues, Domino's audio mix does exhibit some limitations. The soundtrack's ambition sometimes results in an overwhelming assault of sound in certain sequences, notably in the film's third act. This over-saturation occasionally muddies the more delicate sound balances established earlier, potentially distancing it from achieving true reference-level status among lossless tracks. This slight overreach in sound staging can be perceived as a deviation from otherwise meticulous directionality that typifies the film’s complex aural landscape.

Overall, while falling just shy of the pinnacle of lossless audio fidelity—partly due to a sound design that occasionally prioritizes intensity over nuance—Domino's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack undoubtedly stands as an early standout for 2009. Its capabilities in enhancing both the visceral impacts of its action sequences and the subtleties of quieter moments underscore a predominantly successful auditory endeavor. Though not without its minor flaws, the track serves as a compelling case study in high-definition sound mixing, balancing power with precision to envelop the viewer in a richly textured sonic world.

The extra features on the Blu-ray edition of "Domino" offer a decent dive into the creation and conceptualization of the film, despite leaving room for more exhaustive explorations of Domino Harvey's real life and the overall production process. The inclusion of an audio commentary by Director Tony Scott and Writer Richard Kelly provides comprehensive insights into the film, albeit in a format that might have benefited from a more conversational approach. The alternate audio track adds an intriguing dimension by giving listeners a fly-on-the-wall experience of the creative discussions. Supplemental materials like "I Am a Bounty Hunter" and "Bounty Hunting on Acid" offer appreciable, yet surface-level, overviews of Domino Harvey's life and Scott's distinctive visual style, respectively. Although the deleted scenes come with directorial commentary, they contribute little to understanding the film’s editing decisions. These features collectively pad out the disc, yet leave a desire for deeper, more interconnected content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Tony Scott and Writer Richard Kelly: In-depth insights into the movie with separately recorded comments.
• Alternate Audio Track: An unconventional commentary featuring development discussions.
• I Am a Bounty Hunter: A brief documentary on Domino Harvey's life.
• Bounty Hunting on Acid: Examination of Tony Scott’s visual style.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: A collection of scenes not included in the final cut, with optional director's commentary.
• Theatrical Trailers: Promotional trailers for the film.

"Domino," directed by Tony Scott, strays from his usual visual flair, presenting a pseudo-biopic that delves into the chaotic life of Domino Harvey (Keira Knightley), a model turned bounty hunter. Despite Scott's previous successes in melding striking visuals and rapid storytelling as seen in "Man on Fire," "Domino" struggles to maintain a coherent narrative amidst its attempt to explore its titular character's complex existence. The film's visual experimentation, from extreme exposures to dynamic subtitles, although ambitious, often detracts from the character depth and plot clarity, leaving the narrative feeling disjointed and the aesthetically unappealing scenes failing to compensate for the lack of narrative substance.

The storyline, which ambitiously attempts to cover Domino Harvey’s tumultuous journey from luxury to lawlessness, is frequently sidetracked by an excessive focus on secondary characters and subplots. Knightley and Mickey Rourke, playing her mentor Ed Moseby, bring a level of gravitas to their roles but are often overshadowed by the film's overindulgence in tangential storylines involving less compelling characters. The inclusion of a reality TV show element, spearheaded by Christopher Walken’s character, further muddies the waters, diverting attention from Domino's personal story to an unwieldy exploration of fame and spectacle in the modern age.

In essence, "Domino" represents a missed opportunity to deeply explore its protagonist's fascinating life. Tony Scott's signature visual style, though evident, is marred by an overloaded script that scatters focus. While the performances of Knightley and Rourke stand out amidst the chaos, they are not enough to anchor the film's sprawling narrative, which seems more concerned with stylistic excess and secondary anecdotes than providing insight into the psyche of Domino Harvey herself. The result is a film that, despite its potential and a few compelling moments, ultimately becomes a convoluted action piece lacking both the narrative cohesion and emotional resonance needed to make Domino's story truly memorable.

"Domino," directed by Tony Scott, presents a chaotic narrative that strays too frequently from its titular character, Keira Knightley's Ms. Harvey, to delve into the lives of the ensemble cast surrounding her. Despite the film's narrative shortcomings, the Blu-ray release substantially elevates its viewing experience. The video transfer is commendably loyal to the original cinematic quality, boasting vivid colors and sharp contrasts that are a hallmark of Scott’s vibrant directorial style. The audio experience is enhanced by a robust Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track that impeccably balances the film's eclectic soundtrack with its dialogue and sound effects, immersing viewers in the chaotic world of bounty hunting.

The Blu-ray edition does not stop at audiovisual enhancements; it also includes a comprehensive suite of extras that provides a deeper understanding of the filmmaking process. These supplements, ranging from behind-the-scenes footage to director and cast commentaries, add significant value for fans and film enthusiasts alike who seek to peel back the layers of this complex production. However, it’s worth noting that the appeal of this Blu-ray release may be somewhat limited. Those who were not captivated by the film upon its initial viewing might find little here to change their overall impression.

In conclusion, while "Domino" as a film may not resonate with everyone due to its scattered focus and unwieldy storytelling, the Blu-ray version represents a significant improvement, offering an enhanced visual and auditory experience. For aficionados of Tony Scott's work or those with a penchant for the film's stylized chaos, this release is a must-have. It delivers not just a superior viewing experience but also an array of supplements that enrich one’s appreciation of the film. Yet, for newcomers to "Domino," it's advisable to acquaint themselves with the movie before investing in this edition.