The November Man Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The November Man" by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment features an excellent AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Shot digitally with the Arri Alexa Plus, the film benefits from its scenic vistas, particularly those shot in Belgrade, which are rendered with a vivid and varied color palette. Outdoor sequences are especially impressive, demonstrating far-reaching depth of field and revealing exceptional fine detail in close-ups. Although scenes bathed in blue-green fluorescent light and teal backgrounds occasionally appear, image detail remains unaffected. The transfer is free from image instability or compression artifacts, ensuring a clear and stable visual experience.

In terms of picture quality, the 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer delivers a bright and detailed image that captures fine details such as facial features, hair, textures, and intricate background elements with remarkable clarity. The image depth adds a tangible sense of place to the many chase sequences, most notably in a busy marketplace scene that showcases excellent detail and depth. Color and contrast are also well-handled, with the film’s warmer, earthier tones allowing colors like reds and blues to stand out vividly. Explosions are particularly striking, with fiery hues rendered brightly but without over-saturation. Contrast levels are consistently high, providing strong edge definition and robust black levels devoid of banding or crush. White levels are even, ensuring daylight scenes remain bright yet detailed.

Overall, while the film itself may not be noteworthy, the Blu-ray's video presentation is outstanding, marred only by a few minor soft focus issues. This exceptional visual transfer enhances the viewing experience, making "The November Man" a pleasure to watch from a purely technical standpoint.

The November Man's lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix provides a rich, immersive audio experience that stands out with its dynamic range and precise imaging. The film's action-oriented sequences, such as the frenetic opening scene and Devereaux's intense escape attempts, are particularly notable, brimming with sonic energy and meticulously placed effects. Low-frequency effects (LFE) are abundant, ensuring that every explosion and gunshot reverberates with satisfying depth. Dialogues are consistently clear, even amidst chaotic soundscapes, offering a wide spatial environment and pinpoint directionality. Marco Beltrami's score, while occasionally generic, benefits from excellent spread through the surround channels, contributing to a propulsive auditory experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix orchestrates an engaging sound design that fully immerses the listener in the film's high-octane environment. Explosions thunder with realistic bass impact, and gunfire echoes convincingly throughout the soundstage. The mix excellently balances atmospheric elements and dialogue, delivering clean and intelligible speech whether it is meant to be upfront or subtly incorporated in the background. Imaging and directionality are expertly managed, allowing for a fluid and dynamic auditory experience where even minor sound effects like ricochets and ambient noises contribute to the overall atmosphere. This sound mix is a standout feature that will appeal to action enthusiasts, significantly elevating the film’s overall auditory impact.

The supplemental features for "The November Man" Blu-ray provide a comprehensive look behind the scenes with a professional tone and engaging content, though some elements are fairly conventional. The making-of featurette offers typical behind-the-scenes footage and actor interviews that might appeal to dedicated fans. "Brosnan is Back!" delivers a tribute to Pierce Brosnan's return to the action genre. "Bringing Belgrade to the Big Screen" showcases the film’s lovely locations while underscoring the unique aspect of shooting in Belgrade. The audio commentary by Roger Donaldson, Pierce Brosnan, and Beau St. Clair maintains an anecdotal and conversational style, enhancing the viewing experience. Additionally, the theatrical trailer rounds out the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of The November Man: Standard behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• "Brosnan Is Back!": Examination of Brosnan's return to action.
• "Bringing Belgrade to the Big Screen": Insight into filming in Belgrade.
• Audio Commentary by Pierce Brosnan, Director Roger Donaldson & Producer Beau St. Claire: Conversational, anecdotal reflections.
• Theatrical Trailer: Promotional clip.
• Digital HD Copy: Portable version of the film.

"The November Man," while attempting to reinvigorate the spy genre with a modern edge, faces numerous hurdles in its execution. Pierce Brosnan stars as Peter Devereaux, an ex-CIA operative brought out of retirement to protect a witness, Alice Fournier (Olga Kurylenko). The film opens promisingly with Devereaux and his protégé, David Mason (Luke Bracey), in a tense assassination prevention attempt that sets the stage for what could have been a gripping espionage thriller. However, after Brosnan’s Devereaux is pulled back into the fold by his former handler Hanley (Bill Smitrovich), to rescue his ex-wife Natalia from Russia, the narrative begins to unravel. Devereaux’s subsequent pursuit by Mason creates potential for dynamic conflict, but unfortunately, the film’s screenplay and direction struggle under the weight of too many subplots, leading to an increasingly convoluted and less coherent story.

Director Roger Donaldson teeters between gritty realism and high-tech spectacle but falters in melding these elements cohesively. The intricate machinations involving a Russian political figure and CIA double agents are undermined by inconsistencies and plot holes that strain credulity. Notably, the tension between Devereaux and Mason lacks the depth and complexity needed for a father-son dynamic, and this is compounded by abrupt character developments and a lack of emotional resonance. Moreover, while Olga Kurylenko's Alice presents an intriguing character tied to Federov’s political conspiracy, the film fails to utilize her fully, instead letting unnecessary subplots dilute her significance.

Though "The November Man" is not devoid of entertainment—its action sequences are competently executed and the location photography is captivating—the film ultimately suffers from its inability to maintain narrative cohesion. Pierce Brosnan's performance as an aging, rugged operative trying to navigate a labyrinthine plot provides some redemption, yet even his seasoned portrayal can't elevate the material beyond its superficial thrills.

"The November Man" Blu-ray presents a mixed bag in terms of narrative coherence but compensates with fast-paced action and technical excellence. Pierce Brosnan leads as Peter Devereaux, an ex-CIA operative pulled out of retirement for a high-stakes mission. The story takes unexpected turns as Devereaux must protect a valuable witness while confronting betrayals within the CIA, highlighted by an engaging confrontation with his former protégé, played by Luke Bracey. Despite some narrative inconsistencies and underdeveloped story threads, the film's relentless pace and well-executed action sequences keep the viewer engaged.

Visually, "The November Man" Blu-ray offers a crisp, clear picture that captures the movie's varied locales, from the serene landscapes of Switzerland to the gritty urban settings. The sound quality stands out even more, delivering an immersive audio experience that accentuates the intensity of the action scenes. Elements like explosions, gunfire, and quieter dialogue moments are well-balanced, ensuring that viewers will appreciate the attention to detail in sound mixing and design.

In conclusion, "The November Man" might fall short in terms of storytelling depth and character development, but it performs admirably as an action-packed thriller with strong technical merits. If you’re seeking a film that delivers solid entertainment with high production values, this Blu-ray is worth considering, especially as a rental for an engaging evening.