Breaking In Blu-ray Review

"Breaking In" delivers an outstanding video presentation on Blu-ray, despite its modest 2K digital master. The 2.39:1 framed transfer exhibits natural-looking visuals with a slight blue tinge and amber hues inside the house. The film's many nighttime scenes demand robust black level performance, and the Blu-ray rises to the occasion by maintaining deep, well-resolved shadows with minimal crush. Details remain intimate and crisp throughout, from the natural beauty of the exterior landscapes to the intricate stone and wood textures inside the house. Even challenging scenes, such as Shauna's moments on the roof and in the basement, are handled with exceptional detail.

The 1080p transfer impresses with its vibrant and well-saturated colors that avoid blooming. The lush greens of the landscape and distinct color palettes within the house provide a high level of engagement. Skin tones remain consistent, even in the darker outdoor sequences. While there is some minor aliasing early on along roof lines, it is brief and not distracting. The AVC-encoded transfer supports excellent fine details like shimmering watches and tattoos, even under red security lights during a power outage. However, some banding and noise become apparent in darker scenes, though these issues are rare and do not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience.

Overall, "Breaking In" is a high-end digitally sourced Blu-ray that showcases both the strengths and potential drawbacks of digital cinematography. It pushes the 1080p format to its limits, particularly with its detailed textural elements and robust color depth. The visual quality is consistently pleasing, making it a highly recommended addition for those seeking a top-tier Blu-ray experience, especially within the limitations of mid-level film budgets.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "Breaking In" offers a stable and clear audio experience, but falls short of being particularly impressive. Dialogue remains intelligible throughout, although some scenes, particularly in the beginning, necessitate subtitles due to low volume. The mix predominantly emphasizes the front channels, with ambient sounds and music extending to the rear speakers. While the low-frequency effects add depth to certain moments such as crashes and bangs, the overall dynamic range and channel separation are limited. Notably, the sound effects like gunshots manage to achieve a realistic portrayal, steering clear of the exaggerated resonances common in many films.

In terms of surround utilization, "Breaking In" exhibits modest environmental detail and subdued engagement. Rear channels come to life sparingly, primarily during scenes involving in-home speaker systems, which simulate a high-quality audio setup effectively but briefly. The subdued nature of the mix aligns with the film's naturalistic approach, with effects delicately embedded to complement the visual narrative rather than overwhelm it. The sound design maintains a clean low-end response that supports the tense scoring without stretching the auditory boundaries.

While the audio mix supports the film adequately, it rarely ventures beyond its foundational purpose. Surround elements and dynamic range remain restrained, offering sufficient but not outstanding atmospheric involvement. Music and sound effects punctuate the narrative without elevating it to an immersive experience. Overall, "Breaking In's" DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is a competent complement to the film’s visual presentation but doesn't rise to audibly exceptional levels.

The Blu-ray release of "Breaking In" offers a robust collection of supplementary materials, enhancing the viewer's experience with behind-the-scenes insights, directorial commentary, and expanded narrative content. The extras include an alternate opening, deleted and extended scenes, four concise featurettes, and a comprehensive audio commentary by Director James McTeigue and Scriptwriter Ryan Engle. While some featurettes lean towards standard EPK content, they collectively provide valuable perspectives on the film's production, Gabrielle Union's performance, and the film's action choreography. Overall, these additions deliver a substantial and engaging exploration of the film’s creation process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Opening: Viewable with optional commentary.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Includes several noteworthy sequences.
• One Bad Mother: Explores Gabrielle Union's role and character.
• A Filmmaker's Eye: Insight into Director James McTeigue's vision.
• A Lesson in Kicking Ass: Focus on stunts and action scenes.
• A Hero Evolved: Highlights diverse representation in action heroes.
• Feature Commentary: In-depth discussion by McTeigue and Engle.

"Breaking In," directed by James McTeigue, distills the home invasion sub-genre to its bare essentials, offering a tense yet predictable narrative. The storyline centers around Shaun Russell (Gabrielle Union), who is thrust into a desperate mission to save her children after four thieves break into her late father's fortified mansion. Set against a 90-minute countdown before the house's advanced security system alerts the police, the premise promises high stakes but is marred by rote execution and recycled tropes. McTeigue competently crafts a functional thriller but fails to elevate beyond a basic, paint-by-numbers presentation. Gabrielle Union convincingly portrays a determined mother, although the character lacks significant depth or backstory.

The film's technical aspects show craftsmanship in photography, editing, and scoring but do not advance the genre. The script integrates several overused plot devices, resulting in a predictable and often repetitive flow. The thieves, led by Billy Burke's muted performance as Eddie, lack memorable characteristics, rendering the antagonist roles as serviceable yet uninspired. The mansion setting, boasting high-tech features and expansive space, never fully becomes an engaging "character" within the narrative. Consequently, audience engagement wanes as tension dissipates.

While "Breaking In" possesses components of a compelling thriller, including its competent direction and solid lead performance, it succumbs to predictability and fails to offer fresh thrills or emotional engagement. The movie retains a surface-level functionality, adhering closely to genre conventions without pushing boundaries or delivering innovative twists. Despite occasional moments of urgency and well-executed action sequences, the film concludes as a competent yet ultimately forgettable entry in the home invasion genre.

"Breaking In" is a run-of-the-mill home invasion thriller featuring a strong performance by Gabrielle Union. Directed by James McTeigue and written by Ryan Engle, the film offers a “reverse Panic Room” twist complemented by a mom-revenge angle that initially hooks the viewer. However, its derivative plot and predictable sequences ultimately make it a flat experience. Billy Burke also delivers a notable performance as the antagonist, but this doesn't suffice to elevate the film beyond its familiar genre tropes.

From a technical standpoint, Universal’s Blu-ray release of "Breaking In" excels with a top-notch HD presentation and a commendable DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio mix. The 2.39:1 aspect ratio ensures that every detail is clearly rendered, contributing to an immersive visual experience. The disc includes a variety of bonus features that, while not groundbreaking, provide some additional content for interested viewers. Subtitles are available in English SDH, French, and Spanish, catering to a broader audience.

In conclusion, "Breaking In" doesn’t break any new ground within the home invasion genre. While it’s competently directed and technically well-executed, its stale and predictable narrative fails to leave a lasting impact. Nevertheless, Universal’s high-quality Blu-ray release makes it worth a rental for those interested in a standard but well-packaged thriller. You know the old adage “never judge a book by its cover”? Well, you can really judge it with Breaking In. It’s your typical home invasion movie, with Gabrielle Union going super mom to get her kids back from the thieves in her house. Rent it, but manage your expectations.