End of Days Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "End of Days" on a 25GB single-layer disc offers a faithful replication of the film's theatrical experience, retaining its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and encoded in 1080p utilizing the MPEG4 AVC codec. Despite a departure from the HD DVD's VC-1 codec, the visual outcome remains largely unchanged. The disc showcases a commendably authentic picture quality, embracing the film's inherent grain without allowing it to detract from the viewing experience. This grain adds to the cinematic texture, enhancing the atmospheric depth of the film. The transfer successfully sidesteps excessive digital noise reduction, preserving the intended filmic appearance, with a notable presence of grain throughout that lends an enriched character to the visuals without becoming intrusive.

Peter Hyams’ direction and cinematography cast “End of Days” in persistent shadow, using darkness not just as a backdrop but as a character in itself. The deliberate use of lighting—or lack thereof—amplifies the film’s ominous tone, with shadows and low-light scenes revealing remarkable detail and depth upon proper screen calibration. Flesh tones are accurately rendered, capturing subtle nuances even under minimal illumination. Although the overall palette is dominated by darker tones, moments of color vibrancy do break through, albeit occasionally skewing towards excessive brightness in reds and oranges. This color intensification, while sometimes bordering on over-saturation, serves to punctuate the otherwise subdued aesthetic.

The Blu-ray does not radically redefine the high-definition experience for "End of Days," but offers a solid improvement over previous DVD versions. Detail in dimly lit environments is commendable, considering the challenging low-light conditions pervasive throughout the film. However, the transfer’s fidelity to its source material means it inherits both its strengths and its stylistic choices, presenting an image that may appear softer and less defined by contemporary high-definition standards. Despite these characteristics, it’s an accurate representation of Hyam’s vision—a dark, grainy, and moodily atmospheric picture that requires and rewards viewer adjustment in expectations for brightness and clarity.

The audio presentation of "End of Days" on Blu-ray, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, delivers a substantial auditory experience, highlighted by its aggressive sound design and effective use of the surround sound field. The upgrade from its HD DVD counterpart, originally equipped with a Dolby TrueHD track, is notable for its increased volume and dynamic range when decoded via high-end equipment like the Yamaha RX-V2700 amplifier. This louder output is especially evident in high-action scenes, such as Satan's emergence from the sewer system or the intense sequence of explosions from New York's manholes, providing an enveloping and intense experience that showcases the soundtrack's capacity for depth and clarity across all channels.

While the soundtrack revels in its sheer power and precision, offering a rich tapestry of sound effects that enhance the on-screen action and contribute to the overall eeriness and atmosphere of the film, it does have its shortcomings. The mix tends to favor front-heavy audio staging, particularly in dialogues and key scare moments, with a noticeable lack of ambient sounds in the rear channels which could have added to the film's immersive quality. Despite this, the bass response remains robust and engaging, with low frequencies effectively adding gravity to the movie's more thrilling moments. The clarity of dialogue is commendable, anchored well to the center channel, ensuring that it cuts through even during the film's loudest segments.

However, there are moments where the mix might feel too aggressive to some, with an edgy high-frequency response that can come across as less natural than its Dolby TrueHD counterpart. Nevertheless, after adjusting for volume levels, both tracks perform competently, showcasing a clean and meticulously crafted audio presentation befitting a big-budget Hollywood production. The DTS-HD track's slight edge in brightness and bass impact may appeal more to those seeking an exhilarating home theater experience, despite its lack of atmospheric nuance in quieter scenes.

The Blu-ray release of "End of Days" notably pares down its collection of extras, diverging from its predecessors by omitting previously included video-based material. This streamlined version features only the director's commentary by Peter Hyams, a carryover from both the HD DVD and standard DVD releases. Hyams provides a candid, if somewhat self-deprecating, overview of the film's production, intertwined with humor and insights into the filmmaking process, Arnold Schwarzenegger's vulnerable portrayal of his character, and a technical discussion encompassing the movie's aesthetics, such as sets, locations, and visual effects. Despite Hyams' engaging delivery and occasional wit, this singular extra may not suffice for all, especially those who appreciate a richer behind-the-scenes look at their favorite films. The exclusion of additional content, like featurettes and music videos found in earlier releases, leaves enthusiasts longing for more, reflecting a missed opportunity to fully cater to the collector's appetite for comprehensive extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: A screen-specific commentary with director Peter Hyams, offering insights into the filmmaking process, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and reflections on the movie's production.

"End of Days," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the quintessential action hero placed in the midst of a millennial, apocalyptic scenario, simultaneously hits and misses with its ambitious fusion of genres. The film features Schwarzenegger as Jericho, a down-trodden bodyguard tackling a supernatural crisis involving Satan himself, played with a suave malevolence by Gabriel Byrne. The cast also includes Robin Tunney as Christine, the chosen vessel for Satan’s child, and Kevin Pollak providing comic relief in a world bracing for the potential End of Days. Despite an intriguing plot and a strong ensemble, the movie fumbles, largely due to a mismatch between Schwarzenegger’s action persona and the demands of a nuanced thriller narrative, leading to a contentious blend of acting performances.

From a technical standpoint, "End of Days" benefits from a competent sonic landscape that befits its lofty supernatural themes, juxtaposing the dark against the light, good against evil in a millennial showdown set in New York City. Director Peter Hyams attempts to weave these elements into the cinematic fabric of the film with varied success. Although criticized for Schwarzenegger’s casting as an alcoholic ex-detective now security guard entangled in a diabolical plot, the film manages to deliver on the action front consistent with Schwarzenegger’s filmography, albeit not matching the heights of his earlier works. The movie's ambitious but ultimately predictable plot is peppered with witty one-liners and explosive sequences that cater to action aficionados, yet it falls short in transcending its genre trappings into something more profound or memorable.

The production values remain high throughout, with special effects and CGI contributing to an immersive end-of-the-world experience, yet these technical merits are sometimes overshadowed by the screenplay’s weaker elements and some over-the-top performances. "End of Days" struggles with its identity, swinging between horror, action, and thriller genres without fully committing to any, resulting in a film that is enjoyable for its surface-level thrills but lacks the depth or coherence sought by more discerning viewers. Despite these flaws, Gabriel Byrne's portrayal of Satan stands out as a highlight, infusing charisma and menace into a film that ambitiously, but not quite successfully, attempts to merge the spectacle of action cinema with the gravitas of supernatural horror.

The Blu-ray release of "End of Days" has garnered mixed feelings, largely echoing sentiments from its HD DVD predecessor, yet it falls short in the extras department. The primary critique centers around the stark reduction of supplementary features, retaining only a commentary track that, while informative, leaves fans yearning for the more comprehensive behind-the-scenes content typically associated with such releases. On the technical side, the audio and video quality meet expectations, with the DTS-MA audio track providing an immersive experience that complements the visual presentation. However, the absence of additional features previously available makes it a tough sell as an upgrade for those already owning the HD DVD version.

"End of Days," as a film, occupies a unique spot in Arnold Schwarzenegger's career portfolio. It integrates elements of action, horror, and religious thriller genres but doesn't stand out exceptionally in any. Despite its narrative shortcomings and genre identity crisis, the film provides entertainment through well-executed action sequences, engaging dialogue, and a story that holds enough interest to warrant a viewing. Its place in the religious thriller genre, alongside movies like "The Exorcist" and "The Omen," offers enough variety to attract a broad audience. Yet, it's primarily recommended for die-hard Schwarzenegger fans and Blu-ray collectors, given the release's bare-bones nature.

In conclusion, while "End of Days" on Blu-ray delivers on the expected fronts of audio and visual quality, its stark lack of extra content diminishes its appeal as a definitive edition for collectors and fans of the film. The release feels like a missed opportunity to enhance the viewing experience with additional insights into the movie's production and context within the genre. It stands as a satisfactory addition for enthusiasts committed to Schwarzenegger's filmography or hardcore Blu-ray collectors but prompts hesitation for casual fans or those seeking value from extensive bonus features.