Innocence Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Innocence," distributed by Cinedigm, utilizes an AVC encoded 1080p transfer framed at 1.78:1. Captured with the Arri Alexa, the video quality is predominantly sharp and well-detailed, particularly during outdoor scenes under natural lighting where the palette and clarity notably improve. However, the film's frequent use of blue and gray hues in many sequences tends to diminish detail, especially in midrange and wide shots. The image stability is praiseworthy, though minor noise appears in some very dark scenes, contributing to a flat overall visual impression.

Moreover, while the shadow detail occasionally lags in darker scenes, the overall presentation remains quite satisfactory. The subdued color grading methods employed typically aim for a specific atmospheric tone but inadvertently reduce fine detail visibility. Despite this, the transition to brighter environments delivers excellent clarity and enhanced detail levels. Consequently, while the presentation isn’t without its drawbacks, it retains a solid level of technical proficiency throughout.

Innocence boasts a compelling DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that excels in creating atmospheric tension through its smart use of low-frequency effects (LFE) and meticulously placed sound elements. The audio track is predominantly characterized by its moody, foreboding synth washes which serve to enhance the suspense throughout various sequences. In particular, scenes with skateboarding benefit from well-realized ambient environmental sounds, offering an authentic auditory experience that draws the viewer into the film's setting. Dialogue clarity is outstanding, ensuring that every line is delivered with precision.

The surround channels are used sparingly but effectively, contributing to a solid sense of immersion without overwhelming the listener. The balance between the score and sound effects is finely tuned, ensuring high fidelity and eliminating any risk of distortion or audio dropouts. This attention to detail ensures that the viewer remains engaged and consistently enveloped by the film's tense atmosphere.Overall, the sound design is proficiently executed, making the viewing experience both captivating and technically impressive.

The Blu-ray of "Innocence" offers an impressive and deeply engaging array of extra features. Each supplemental piece is thoughtfully crafted and meticulously presented, contributing to an enriched understanding of the film’s intricate narrative and visual style. The extras span a wide spectrum, from scholarly analyses to behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews. Fans and scholars alike will find immense value in the detailed commentaries and multi-angle perspectives. The high-definition video and audio quality of these features further elevate the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A high-definition presentation of the film's trailer.
• Making-of Featurette: Behind-the-scenes content showcasing the film’s production.
• Director Commentary: Insightful analysis and commentary by the film’s director.
• Cast and Crew Interviews: Engaging discussions with primary cast and crew members.
• Animation Process: An in-depth look at the animation techniques used in the film.
• Storyboard Comparisons: Side-by-side comparisons of storyboards and final scenes.

"Innocence" presents itself as a moody, atmospherically driven drama with supernatural undertones. The film orbits around Beckett (Sophie Curtis), a teenager grappling with immense grief following her mother's tragic death. This event precipitates her move to Hamilton Academy, an elite prep school in Manhattan, where eerie occurrences progressively erode the last vestiges of normalcy. Linus Roache portrays Miles, Beckett's father, with considerable authenticity, further grounding the narrative with his pitch-perfect American accent. Director Hilary Brougher manages to evoke sporadic moments of genuine creepiness, showcasing Beckett as a modern-day Rosemary Woodhouse from "Rosemary’s Baby," trapped in an unnervingly conspiratorial environment.

The movie stumbles significantly in its narrative execution. The opening sequence, ambiguously depicting Beckett's mother's demise during a seaside vacation, gives way to a series of jarring jump cuts and scattershot exposition. The plot then segues into Beckett's unsettling encounters at Hamilton Academy. A shocking suicide by a fellow student named Sunday (Chloe Levine) thrusts Beckett into the heart of the school's dark secrets faster than anticipated. However, the story's central premise—immortal women preserving youth by consuming virgin blood—is almost too fantastical to sustain any credible suspension of disbelief, making it difficult to engage thoroughly with the unfolding mystery and horror.

Despite its narrative flaws, "Innocence" holds onto some intriguing atmospheric elements and performances. Stephanie March and Kelly Reilly, playing influential figures within the school, add layers to the film’s tension. However, the glaringly illogical plot points erode the story's potential. The notion of ageless women evading detection for centuries in plain sight strains plausibility. Additionally, while fleetingly effective in conjuring dread, the film fails to maintain a consistent tone of menace due to its fragmented treatment of support characters and ancillary subplots that dilute the main storyline.

Innocence arrived on Blu-ray with mixed expectations and ultimately offers an experience that is both visually and aurally impressive, but narratively underwhelming. The film follows a storyline that could have provided a sharp critique of the abstinence movement; however, it falls into the trap of predictability and fails to exploit its thematic potential. The plot feels somewhat rote and mechanical, never quite managing to surprise or fully engage its audience. Nonetheless, the performances are commendable, with the cast delivering solid portrayals despite the film’s narrative constraints.

The technical aspects of the Blu-ray release stand out as a high point. The video quality is exceptional, boasting crisp and clear visuals that effectively bring out the film's stylistic nuances. Colors are vibrant, and the image detail is sharp, providing a visually pleasing viewing experience. The audio presentation is equally robust, with a well-balanced soundtrack that enhances the film’s mood without overpowering the dialogue.

Innocence could have been a sly, winking send up of the abstinence movement, given the Hamilton faculty's emphasis on remaining a virgin (albeit for nefarious reasons). Instead, this rote and too predictable entry will probably only encourage paying audiences to abstain from viewing it. Performances are generally strong, though, and the Blu-ray offers good technical merits (if a dearth of supplemental material) for those considering a purchase.