Free Fall Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray for "Free Fall" is technically impressive, though the film’s visual design may not be entirely engaging to all viewers. The transfer, encoded in MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p resolution with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, maintains a consistently crisp and well-defined image. Shot with HD Arri Alexa equipment, the film embraces a bluish/silverish/grayish color scheme that dominates most scenes. This results in limited visual brilliance, but manages to offer natural vitality in key scenes such as the opening sparring segment.

Despite the inherently sterile look due to its setting, the transfer delivers outstanding detail, with natural black levels and consistent skin tones. Facial features appear highly natural, and clothing lines are crisply rendered. While some moments exhibit minor banding and a few softer shots, the overall image quality remains sharp and clean. Texture quality is particularly notable across various environments, capturing the intricacies of well-lit offices and the claustrophobic details of the elevator. The color reproduction prioritizes whites, blacks, and grays, though blue hues tend to be more noticeable.

Black levels are crucial given that much of the movie occurs in an elevator or adjacent elevator shaft, and they appear deep and authentic without resulting in any crushing. Flesh tones are generally natural and maintained consistently throughout the viewing experience. Importantly, the presentation is free of common digital imperfections such as haloing, artifacting, or noise, ensuring a pristine viewing experience. While the visual storytelling may lean towards the monotone, the technical quality of this transfer maximizes the available detail and clarity effectively.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Free Fall" features an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This track is both dynamic and immersive, effectively drawing the listener into the heart of the action sequences. Gunfire crackles with intensity, resonating sharply in confined spaces and offering powerful impact across various surfaces, engaging all sides of the listening area for a thoroughly compelling auditory experience. The musical score, while not particularly memorable, is rendered with clarity, giving a full and balanced feel throughout the range, complemented by robust low-end support and strategic use of surround channels. Dialogue remains clear and centered, ensuring consistent audibility and delivering a balanced listening experience enriched by occasional action highlights.

Furthermore, the DTS-HD Master Audio track distinguishes itself with excellent directionality and spatial engagement, particularly during elevator sequences where the rear channels are adeptly utilized to convey creaks and movements. This attention to directional sound enhances the overall immersive quality of the audio presentation. Notably, despite the back cover inaccurately listing Dolby TrueHD 5.1, the DTS-HD MA track proves more than capable, delivering a superior experience without any glitches, dropouts, or imbalances. The low-frequency extension is notable as well; deep sounds like DB Sweeney's gunfire and elevator impacts significantly engage subwoofers, adding a palpable weight to these elements.

In summary, this soundtrack offers a well-rounded audio experience with well-balanced dialogue, impactful effects, and effective use of surround sound that pulls listeners into the film’s environment. Subtitles in English SDH and Spanish are also available, further enhancing accessibility and enjoyment for a wider audience.

The Blu-ray release of "Free Fall" offers a single supplementary feature, "Free Fall": Behind the Scenes. This 25-minute HD featurette provides an in-depth look into the production, exploring various facets including story details, character motivations, shoot specifics, budget constraints, production challenges, and performances. While comprehensive in its coverage, highlighting the rapid shooting schedule and tight budget repeatedly can be somewhat tedious. However, it succeeds in providing a thorough understanding of the film's making process.

Extras included in this disc:

• 'Free Fall': Behind the Scenes: In-depth exploration of the film’s production, covering story details, character motivations, shoot specifics, budget constraints, production challenges, and performances.

"Free Fall" struggles to deliver a compelling narrative, with underwhelming plot development and lackluster performances. The film centers on Jane (Sarah Butler), a corporate employee who uncovers evidence of fraud implicating her boss, Thaddeus Gault (Malcolm McDowell), following the suspicious death of a coworker. As she attempts to expose the truth, Jane becomes the target of Frank (D.B. Sweeney), a hitman hired by Gault to eliminate her. The film’s premise initially shows promise, but its execution is marred by generic storytelling and character clichés.

The movie’s action sequences and dramatic elements fall flat, failing to generate tension or emotional engagement. Much of the film sees Jane trapped in an elevator, pursued by Frank in a series of uninspired cat-and-mouse encounters. Unlike the high-stakes scenarios suggested by its title and cover art, "Free Fall" lacks the intensity and ingenuity of its genre counterparts like "Die Hard" or "Mission: Impossible." The narrative is driven by convenient plot points that undermine its plausibility, such as Jane’s simplistic discovery of crucial evidence in her coworker’s office.

Director Malek Akkad’s stylistic choices offer some redeeming qualities, with carefully framed shots and a steady camera approach that eschews gimmicky techniques. However, these technical merits cannot compensate for the film’s hollow script and lifeless character portrayals. Sarah Butler’s performance is passable yet uninspired, deprived of emotional depth or urgency. Similarly, Malcolm McDowell’s limited screen presence fails to leave an impact, while D.B. Sweeney's over-the-top villainy renders his character unconvincing. Overall, "Free Fall" serves as a rudimentary thriller that offers little innovation or excitement, making it unlikely to resonate with viewers beyond its core audience of genre enthusiasts.

"Free Fall" offers an underwhelming narrative despite its promising cast and initial intrigue. The storyline, heavily reliant on familiar tropes, fails to rise above mediocrity, ultimately resulting in a predictable and uninspired plotline. Consequently, the film feels routine and forgettable, overshadowing the capabilities of director Malek Akkad, who nonetheless demonstrates competent technical proficiency. The lack of innovation and depth renders "Free Fall" a missed opportunity that doesn't stand out in any significant way.

That said, the Blu-ray release by Anchor Bay delivers impressive technical accomplishments. The video and audio presentations are top-tier, ensuring a high-quality viewing experience that showcases the effort put into the film's production aspects. While the movie itself may not captivate audiences, the Blu-ray edition is complemented by a comprehensive bonus featurette that delves into the making of the film, offering viewers an insightful behind-the-scenes look.

In conclusion, "Free Fall" is a film that disappoints with its conventional approach and lackluster execution. Despite the solid Blu-ray release featuring excellent audio and visual fidelity and an informative featurette, the film's overall lack of originality and excitement makes it hard to recommend. Unless you are particularly interested in the technical aspects or want to explore Malek Akkad's directing abilities, this is one you can skip.