Allied Blu-ray Review

Paramount's Blu-ray release of "Allied" boasts a remarkable 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode that captures the essence of classic Hollywood with stunning precision. Filmed using the Red Weapon Dragon camera system, the transfer avoids the pitfall of appearing digitally sterile, thanks to Don Burgess' masterful cinematography. The color palette is meticulously controlled to reflect the film's varying environments and emotional tones. In the desert scenes, contrasts are deliberately heightened to evoke the sweltering heat, while in denser urban settings, sharp details and robust colors create a vivid portrait of wartime London.

The picture quality achieves an optimal balance of brightness and contrast, with immaculate whites and inky blacks that maintain their depth and detail even in the darkest shadows. Textural details are exemplary; period attire showcases every stitch and fabric type, from the thinnest dresses to the heaviest jackets. Skin tones are rendered naturally, with facial complexions revealing pores, wrinkles, and subtle blemishes. No digital noise or compression artifacts are evident, enhancing the overall clarity.

Presented in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, "Allied" offers razor-sharp details throughout every frame. Architectural elements like the pockmarks in stone and brick are rendered with near-tactile quality, and individual elements such as hairs, blades of grass, and leaves are crystal clear. This meticulous attention extends to interior scenes, where the furnishings and ornaments in the Vatan household are exceptionally detailed. The combination of these technical strengths results in a Blu-ray presentation that stands as a reference-quality release from Paramount.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack of "Allied" delivers an impressive and immersive auditory experience, handling both the intense wartime action sequences and the subtle dramatic moments with equal efficacy. The sound design achieves a broad soundstage, utilizing the front channels for a well-balanced presentation and allowing the surrounds to offer minor yet effective support. Gunfire is rendered with precise zip and power, creating a dynamic and engaging listening environment. Explosions and anti-aircraft fire deliver potent, full-bodied sounds that place the listener amidst the chaos. Ambient details such as crowd noise and environmental elements contribute to a satisfying and lifelike sound experience.

Action sequences, including bombing runs and gun battles, are particularly noteworthy, featuring robust, powerful effects that vividly travel across all available channels. The soundtrack's low-end elements are substantial, occasionally wall-rattling, providing palpable depth during these high-impact scenes. Even minor details, such as shell casings hitting the ground, are crisply rendered, enhancing realism. Dialogue clarity is impeccable, consistently emanating from the front-center with no issues in prioritization or intelligibility. While primarily front-heavy to perhaps evoke a classic Hollywood feel, the DTS-HD Master Audio mix excels in its presentation by maintaining distinct mid-range details and room-penetrating clarity that complement the visual narrative effectively. Overall, Paramount's audio presentation significantly amplifies the viewing experience of "Allied".

The Blu-ray extras for "Allied" offer a comprehensive and immersive behind-the-scenes experience that film enthusiasts will appreciate. These featurettes delve deeply into various aspects of the film's production, from the visual effects intricacies to the detailed costume designs. The cast and crew provide extensive insights into their creative processes, effectively dismantling the movie magic to reveal the hard work and dedication that went into making this war-time romance. The high-quality production values of these features reflect the meticulous care involved in creating this film. Furthermore, the inclusion of a digital copy voucher adds value to the purchase, allowing viewers digital access alongside their physical media.

Extras included in this disc:

Story of Allied: A discussion of the backstory, war context, and character basics.

From Stages to the Sahara: The Production Design of Allied: Insights into artistic inspirations, set design, and effects.

Through the Lens: Directing with Robert Zemeckis: Details on Zemeckis's directing style and technical approaches.

A Stitch in Time: The Costumes of Allied: Examination of Joanna Johnston's costume work.

'Til Death Do Us Part: Max and Marianne: Commentary on performances by Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard.

Guys and Gals: The Ensemble Cast: Overview of secondary characters and actors.

Lights, Pixels, ACTION! The Visual Effects of Allied: Analysis of digital effects integration.

Behind the Wheel: The Vehicles of Allied: Tour of key vehicles in the film.

Locked and Loaded: The Weapons of Allied: Overview of weapons featured in the film.

That Swingin' Sound: The Music of Allied: Exploration of the film's score with insights from composer Alan Silvestri.

In "Allied," Robert Zemeckis veers away from his usual escapist fare to tackle a WWII intrigue drama/romance. This movie explores the complexities of war, love, and deception. Canadian Air Force operative Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) and French resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) are thrown together on a mission in Northern Africa, only to find their pretend marriage turning real. However, back in London, Max discovers his wife may not be who she claims. While the film is well-paced and the performances are compelling, it doesn't quite achieve the depth or lasting impression it aims for.

The story unfolds with a suspenseful espionage plot that weaves through glamorous yet sinister settings, reminiscent of classic Hollywood. Zemeckis creates a charged atmosphere of mistrust and danger, particularly effective in the initial mission scenes. The narrative transitions into a domestic drama steeped in doubt and suspicion, culminating in an emotionally charged, if not entirely unexpected, conclusion. Despite its elegant production design and commendable performances, the film feels more like an homage to its period than a standout narrative piece, emphasizing style over substance.

Pitt and Cotillard excel in their roles, seamlessly embodying their characters with an air of authenticity and elegance appropriate to the era. Zemeckis and his team meticulously recreate the period, bolstered by both practical and digital effects. Yet, this focus on visual authenticity sometimes overshadows the storytelling, leaving an impression of style over substance. While "Allied" does many things well, including building tension and exploring complex emotions, it ultimately falls just short of being exceptional. Nonetheless, it remains an entertaining and adequately emotional piece that captures the art of deception in both war and marriage.

"Allied" is a meticulously crafted film helmed by Robert Zemeckis. It blends classic Hollywood style with a gripping narrative centered on a marriage mired in deception, set against the backdrop of a World War II espionage thriller. The film's strengths lie in its excellent performances and engaging storyline, although it occasionally struggles to provide a lasting impact. The Blu-ray release, however, shines brightly with a reference-quality 1080p picture that captures the film's period aesthetics and vibrant visuals with stunning clarity.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray is equally impressive, offering an immersive lossless experience that enhances the film's dramatic and action sequences. While the supplementary materials are somewhat limited, they offer a decent insight into the making of the film, providing value for both fans and those new to the movie.

Allied is a solid film beset by the central frustration that it can never quite get over the hump. Finely crafted but almost to a nostalgic fault, engaging but not purposeful, satisfying but not particularly memorable, the movie settles for technical successes while leaving its dramatic elements with only enough muscle to get by and tell the story. On the other hand, Allied's Blu-ray release impresses all-around. Great 1080p picture, excellent lossless audio, and a hearty allotment of bonus features all make this an easy recommendation.