Home of the Brave Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Home of the Brave" brings the film into homes with a 1080p High Definition format in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1, which oscillates between brilliance and mediocrity. Viewers will appreciate the meticulous care given to skin details, the broad yet occasionally desaturated color palette, and the solid black levels contributing to the clarity of darker scenes. The MPEG-2 encoding averages at 18mbps, yet this comes with its own set of problems, including a slight inconsistency in picture quality; certain scenes burst with sharp imagery and rich detail, while others disappoint with a lack of crispness and a somewhat two-dimensional feel. The presentation's technical specifications underline these challenges, emphasizing a sometimes lackluster contrast that tends to smudge fine details rather than accentuate them.

Despite its vibrant colors and generally clean appearance free of artifacts, the image quality on this Blu-ray often suffers from softness and a puzzling haziness that mars its high definition promise. This is particularly evident in scenes that should showcase the format's prowess, such as close-ups where the benefits of high definition like improved textures and details are expected to be most visible. Instead, viewers might notice an inconsistency that detracts from the immersion, with occasional digital noise and edge enhancement further compromising the visual experience.

As the narrative unfolds towards its climax, these pictorial issues become more pronounced, undermining the overall impact. Scenes intended to be visually striking appear average, lacking the depth and clarity seen in other high-definition presentations. This inconsistency hints at a missed opportunity to fully exploit the Blu-ray's capabilities, leaving "Home of the Brave" looking good but not exceptional by high-definition standards. The film's portrayal on this medium, therefore, is a mixed bag — delivering in parts but ultimately failing to consistently present a compelling visual narrative that lives up to the potential of its format.

The audio presentation of "Home of the Brave" on Blu-Ray is given a robust and immersive DTS-HD 5.1 Master Lossless Audio track, ensuring an engaging auditory experience consistent across the film's varying soundscapes. From the onset, viewers are thrust into an auditory feast during the initial battle scenes that showcase the track's wide dynamic range and articulate sound design. Explosions, the distinct clatter of varying firearms, and the chaos of combat fill the room with a palpable tension, aided by a wisely used LFE channel that adds depth and impact without overwhelming dialogue clarity. The directional audio and ambient effects are particularly noteworthy, creating an encompassing atmosphere that extends well beyond the confines of the speakers.

As the narrative shifts from the frenetic battlefield to more dialogue-driven sequences, the audio track remains meticulously balanced. Dialogue is consistently clear, emanating primarily from the front channels but maintains a natural tone throughout. However, there are moments where voices could benefit from additional heft, particularly in quieter scenes which might necessitate slight volume adjustments. The subtler use of surround channels in these segments doesn't detract from the overall experience, providing an ambient backdrop that complements the film's more contemplative moments.

The fidelity of this audio track, even when sampled at its core bitrate of 768kbps rather than the higher standard of 1.5Mbps, does not suffer noticeably, underscoring the efficiency of its engineering. The soundtrack punctuates the film's emotional landscape effectively, with music utilized to enhance the narrative rather than merely fill space. Overall, "Home of the Brave"'s audio track deftly balances bombastic war-driven cacophonies with the nuanced sounds of a quieter introspection, creating a cohesive and compelling auditory journey throughout.

The Blu-ray extras for "Home of the Brave" provide a comprehensive, albeit somewhat uneven experience for viewers interested in the filmmaking process behind this war drama. The Full Length Audio Commentary by director Irwin Winkler, screenwriter Mark Friedman, and producer Rob Cowan stands out for its mix of technical details, candid self-criticism, and occasional humor, offering insights into the locations, the casting process, and challenges faced during production. Despite moments of dryness, particularly when delving into minutiae of shooting schedules, the commentary is enriched by historical references and reflections on the storytelling intentions. The Five Deleted Scenes, accompanied by optional commentaries, present additional character moments that were excluded from the final cut, providing fans with a glimpse into the editing decisions. However, these scenes are acknowledged by the creators as largely extraneous. The Trivia Track adds an engaging layer to the viewing experience, revealing behind-the-scenes facts and military advisories involved, even if some information comes off as trivial. Notably, the Blu-ray lacks more extensive features found in some international versions, such as documentaries and behind-the-scenes featurettes, limiting its appeal to those seeking a deeper dive into the film's context and production.

Extras included in this disc:

• Full Length Audio Commentary: Featuring director Irwin Winkler, screenwriter Mark Friedman, and producer Rob Cowan discussing various aspects of production.
• Trivia Track: Offers interesting trivia about the making of the movie and military advisories.
• Five Deleted Scenes: With optional commentary providing additional context and character development.

"Home of the Brave," while aspiring to delve into the profound psychological and physical ramifications of P.T.S.D. amongst returning soldiers from the Iraq war, ultimately stumbles in its execution. The film is anchored by a compelling premise: after a harrowing ambush during a humanitarian mission in Iraq, four American soldiers—played by Samuel L. Jackson, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Jessica Biel, and Brian Presley—confront personal battles that are as challenging and complex as the war itself. This narrative promises an intimate exploration of the soldiers’ adjustment to civilian life, yet falls short in delivering a nuanced or groundbreaking cinematic experience.

On a technical level, "Home of the Brave" boasts commendable performances and is presented with high technical specs on Blu-ray, highlighting its potential to resonate on a visual and auditory level. However, these merits are overshadowed by a script that chooses sentimentality over depth, failing to flesh out its characters or their experiences in a manner that transcends cliché or familiarity with other Vietnam-era dramas. Despite having a star-studded cast capable of carrying the emotional weight of such a narrative, the film's reliance on stereotypical plot devices and character arcs results in a viewing experience that feels all too predictable.

Moreover, the movie has been critiqued for not only its lackluster approach to storytelling but also for its overly cautious stance on the war, avoiding a deeper engagement with its complexities and moral questions. While it draws obvious parallels to "The Deer Hunter," "Home of the Brave" lacks the originality and grit to stand on its own, instead serving as a pale imitation. Despite its genuine attempt to tell a story about human resilience and the scars of war, and while it may find an audience in those seeking dramas centered on military returnees, it fails to leave an impactful or lasting impression due to its underdeveloped narrative and characters.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Home of the Brave" brings a mixed bag to those seeking an immersive cinematic experience. From a storytelling perspective, the film rushes its character development, leaving audiences with a sense of detachment from the characters themselves. Despite this, the portrayal of war's long-lasting impact on individuals is effectively communicated, striking an emotional chord not with the characters but with their circumstances. The narrative successfully underscores the profound scars left by war, though it misses the opportunity to fully explore the depths of its characters.

Technically, 'Home of the Brave' presents a decent yet unremarkable high-definition transfer. The audio experience, powered by a DTS-HD Master Audio mix, stands out as one of the release's more commendable aspects, delivering clear and engaging sound that serves to enhance the depicted emotional and physical landscapes of war. However, the video quality falls short of expectations with a notably soft transfer that fails to capitalize on the high-definition format's potential. Moreover, the supplementary material provided is insufficient, lacking in both quantity and quality, further exacerbated by the absence of features available in versions outside the United States. This aspect might be particularly disappointing for enthusiasts expecting a robust Blu-ray offering that delves deeper into the film's production and thematic exploration.

In conclusion, while 'Home of the Brave' on Blu-ray makes an effort to present a poignant story set against the backdrop of war's harsh realities, it does so with mixed success. The film's inability to fully develop its characters and a less than stellar video transfer dampen its overall impact. Coupled with a sparse selection of extras, this release may best be suited for those with tempered expectations or as a rental to satisfy initial curiosity. In its current state, it struggles to justify a prominent place within a discerning viewer's collection, needing stronger technical merits and richer content to fully resonate.