The Transporter Blu-ray Review

The Transporter's Blu-ray video presentation, encoded in 1080p/MPEG-2 and framed at a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1, delivers a viewing experience that mostly impresses, despite not reaching the pinnacle of sharpness and detail expected from the very best releases in the format. Close-up visuals reveal a commendable level of detail, highlighting textures in characters' faces, their attire, and various surfaces within the frame. However, the medium shots present an average quality, and some long-distance sequences may appear slightly blurred, lacking the clarity seen in other segments. The color palette leans towards natural hues, contributing to a visually pleasing experience, especially in scenes shot in the lush exteriors around France, with the richness of colors around Martin's house standing out as particularly captivating.

Despite its use of an older MPEG-2 codec, similar to that utilized for its standard-definition DVD counterpart, "The Transporter" boasts a remarkably clean and slick visual aesthetic on Blu-ray. The black levels exhibit excellence, supporting strong contrast that remains well-balanced without overexposure in the highlights, ensuring that shadow details are well delineated. While interior scenes shine with stylized lighting and vibrant, punchy colors, exterior shots sometimes falter with a reduced sense of depth and altered color fidelity, which detracts slightly from the overall visual impact. Nevertheless, the sharpness of the transfer is consistently outstanding across the board, ensuring that no grain or noise detracts from the high-definition experience.

In conclusion, "The Transporter" on Blu-ray represents a notable improvement over its standard-definition release, offering viewers a generally strong visual performance with a few minor setbacks. Despite some inconsistencies in long-range shots and exterior scene depth, the Blu-ray excels in delivering detailed close-ups, natural color reproduction, and dynamic action sequences. Its presentation is a testament to Fox's early efforts in the Blu-ray market, reflecting a commitment to quality that, while not flawless, sets a commendable standard for home entertainment.

Fox's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless sound mix is a showcase of perfection for action film enthusiasts, particularly with "The Transporter." The movie's kickoff with an intense car chase sets a high bar with its superb dynamics, directionality, and crystal-clear fidelity. This roar of engines and symphony of destruction maintains its excellence throughout, making every moment a visceral experience. Noteworthy is the employment of rear channels, used masterfully to envelop the viewer in everything from subtle ambient sounds to the full force of gunshots and explosions. The engagement of the subwoofer adds a physical dimension to the experience, ensuring viewers not only hear but feel every beat and impact. With a soundscape that's constantly active and immersive, Fox has crafted an audio experience that elevates the film's enjoyment to new heights.

However, it's crucial to note that to fully appreciate the intricacies of this DTS-HD track, one must have access to a Blu-ray player equipped with internal DTS-HD decoding capabilities, as many receivers still lack direct support for this format. Although the mix is stellar, with discrete effects and an impressively active soundfield regardless of the on-screen action, those without the proper setup may only experience a core DTS track. Despite this limitation, "The Transporter" impresses with its clean channel transitions and balanced dynamics, ensuring even mumbled dialogues are clear. The audio presentation excels in clarity and depth, though it somewhat underdelivers on bass impact, leaving a bit more to be desired during the most thunderous action sequences.

Nonetheless, "The Transporter" provides a thoroughly engaging auditory journey that complements its visual spectacle. From the relentless energy of chase sequences to the precision of quieter moments, the sound mix manages to be both aggressive and nuanced. Though it may leave audiophiles craving a bit more bass punch, the overall quality is undebatable. This DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is an exemplar of how to bring cinematic sound into the home theater, elevating the entire high-definition viewing experience of this action-packed film.

The Blu-ray release of "The Transporter" is notably scant on extras, primarily featuring a commentary track with Jason Statham and producer Steven Chasman as its centerpiece. This track, despite suffering from occasional lulls, showcases Statham’s lesser-seen easygoing and humorous demeanor, a stark contrast to the characters he typically plays on screen. He brings life to the commentary with interesting anecdotes and a dry wit that occasionally punctuates the otherwise average informational fare. The commentary provides insights into the challenges of filming action scenes and the camaraderie among the cast and crew, albeit without delving deeply into technical or revelatory details. Complementing this feature is a collection of nine high-definition trailers for both "The Transporter" and other notable Fox releases, serving as a compact but visually engaging bonus. The lack of a broader array of special features might disappoint some enthusiasts but the available commentary will certainly appeal to fans of Statham and the film itself.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature-length Commentary with Jason Statham and Producer Steven Chasman: Offers behind-the-scenes insights and personal anecdotes from the film's production.
• HD Trailer Gallery: Includes trailers for "The Transporter", "Transporter 2", "Planet of the Apes", "Phone Booth", "Behind Enemy Lines", "Kiss of the Dragon", "Speed", "Fantastic Four", and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen".

The Transporter" Blu-ray presentation showcases an action-packed movie that, despite treading familiar grounds, stands out due to its blend of high-octane sequences and a tongue-in-cheek approach to its genre. Jason Statham delivers a quintessentially cool performance as Frank Martin, embodying a suave, no-nonsense protagonist who is meticulous and precise, seemingly unfazed even when faced with the most dangerous situations. This movie, co-written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, is imbued with an air of credibility and an unmistakable 1980s action movie vibe, cleverly updated with swift MTV-style editing and contemporary visual flair that aligns perfectly with its lead's charismatic presence. The film thrives on its simplistic yet engaging plot, spearheaded by Statham's methodical protagonist, whose life takes a turn when a delivery escalates into a wild ride of vendettas and unlikely alliances.

Operating under three simple rules, the Transporter finds himself in a tangled web involving human trafficking and a malicious assassination plot, courtesy of his latest contract turned adversary, Wall Street (Matt Schulze). The discovery of Lai (Shu Qi) among his "deliveries" challenges his professional boundaries and embroils him in a conflict that tests his skills to their limits. "The Transporter" cleverly balances explosive action sequences with lighthearted moments, often bordering on the cartoonish, which plays to its advantage by not taking itself too seriously. The directors Corey Yuen and Louis Leterrier successfully capture the essence of a real-life cartoon, blending ridiculous violence with humor that feels both fresh and knowingly derivative.

In essence, "The Transporter" is more than just a typical action flick; it's a nostalgic ride that pays homage to the genre's classics while establishing itself as a modern-day contender, all through the undeniable appeal of Jason Statham. The movie's fast pace and entertaining plot make it a worthy addition to one’s Blu-ray collection, emphasizing that sometimes, adhering to the three rules—be politically incorrect, deliver great action, and laugh with the cliches—not only defines the protagonist but the very spirit of this engaging film itself.

The Transporter" on Blu-ray captures the essence of a quintessential action flick, complete with heart-pounding sequences and the undeniable charisma of Jason Statham. This release by 20th Century Fox showcases their consistent prowess in delivering content with high-quality visual and auditory fidelity, making it a treat for enthusiasts of pure, adrenaline-fueled entertainment. The film, known for its non-stop action that's exciting yet not overwhelmingly gory, presents itself as an ideal choice for audiences seeking thrills without the extremities of more violent counterparts. The video transfer is notably superior, ensuring that viewers enjoy every high-octane moment in stunning clarity.

The audio quality matches the excellence of the visuals, offering an immersive experience that compliments the film’s dynamic pacing and sleek visual style. Statham's performance, fitting perfectly within the film’s narrative structure, further elevates the overall presentation. However, this Blu-ray edition continues Fox's trend of skimping on special features, offering minimal additional content for those who might look for a deeper dive into the making of such a memorable action piece. This lack of extras does not detract from the main draw of the disc—the movie's impeccable transfer and sound quality—but it is a noted absence for collectors and fans who value behind-the-scenes insights.

In conclusion, "The Transporter" Blu-ray is highly recommended for aficionados of action cinema and Blu-ray collectors prioritizing top-notch audiovisual presentation over supplementary material. While it may leave some wanting in terms of extras, the film itself, bolstered by Jason Statham's compelling performance and supported by Fox’s excellent transfer and sound work, makes it a worthwhile addition to any collection. Viewers in search of a straightforward, engaging action movie experience will not be disappointed.