Cellular Blu-ray Review

"Cellular" presents an impressive 1080p AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer, capturing the vibrant visual contrasts of Los Angeles. The cinematography by Gary Capo, known for his work on "Final Destination 2," shines as it portrays a sun-drenched L.A. in bright, clear visuals. The beach scenes highlight the abundant fine details, with accurate contrasts and black levels maintaining quality even in darker scenes. Natural grain patterns remain untouched by digital manipulation, preserving the authentic look of Capo’s photography.

The transfer effectively balances brightly vivid colors under the California sun, making sweat, facial hair, and other textual details stand out sharply. This level of detail extends to the dark, shadowy loft where Jessica is imprisoned. Shadows delicately render facial features without crushing detail, enabling viewers to easily discern subtle expressions and textures. Despite the film being on a 25GB disc, there are no notable compression-related issues, with banding and aliasing kept discreet. Minor shimmering on hair and clothing is the only slight drawback.

In summary, "Cellular" on Blu-ray delivers a high-definition experience with excellent color reproduction, detailed shadow work, and meticulously preserved grain structure, ensuring a crisp and engaging visual presentation from start to finish.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "Cellular" delivers an exceptionally dynamic and immersive experience. From the outset, the sound design places listeners right in the heart of bustling L.A., with cars whizzing by and city noises enveloping the room. The mix excels in directional effects, as exemplified in sequences where Ryan drives perilously through traffic, with honking cars and screeching tires seamlessly panning from front to rear speakers. Binaural environments are effectively crafted, whether portraying vehicular mayhem or a collapsing shed, adding layers of sonic realism.

A standout feature is the depth and precision of bass extension, particularly during moments designed to catch audiences off-guard, like unexpected impacts and vehicle collisions. An example is when a semi-truck dramatically T-bones Ryan’s car, producing a thunderous boom that effectively rattles the room and underscores the urgency of the scene. Gunshots and explosions are rendered with crisp clarity and impactful low-frequency effects (LFE), enhancing the tension and action.

Dialogue remains crystal clear throughout, even during critical scenes where characters whisper to avoid detection. This clarity ensures that plot-driving conversations remain intelligible, despite dynamic fluctuations in volume and ambient noise. Complementing the robust sound effects is John Ottman's finely constructed score, which blends familiar ringtones subtly into the mix, enriching the overall auditory landscape. This DTS-HD Master Audio mix effectively places viewers at the center of the action, providing a gripping auditory experience that complements the film’s high-octane visuals.

The Blu-Ray extras of "Cellular" provide a comprehensive and engaging look into the film's production and context. The highlight is the audio commentary by Director David R. Ellis, producer Tawny Ellis, and assistant stunt coordinator Annie Ellis. This unique commentary features various contributors like actor Chris Evans and composer John Ottman, joining via cell phones, adding a personal yet insightful touch. The deleted scenes offer a glimpse of what could have been, with some entertaining moments like an extended scene involving Ryan's friend Chad in a whale costume. The featurettes, although somewhat dated, provide substantial behind-the-scenes insights and delve into the real-life events inspiring the film. Overall, these extras enhance the viewing experience by offering both entertainment and depth.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Director David R. Ellis and others: Engaging commentary with additional contributors via cell phone.
• Deleted Scenes: Five scenes with optional commentary.
• Celling Out: A dated overview of cell phone technology and societal impact.
• Dialing Up Cellular: In-depth making-of documentary with cast and crew interviews.
• Code of Silence: Documentary on the real-life events inspiring the thriller plot.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original theatrical trailer.

"Cellular" combines Hitchcockian suspense and contemporary thrills, leveraging modern technology in a dynamic action-packed narrative. The film, based on Larry Cohen's script originally set for Alfred Hitchcock's TV show, pivots around a frantic cell phone call that sends beach bum Ryan (Chris Evans) on a high-stakes race across Los Angeles. The stakes are amped up by Chris Morgan's rewrite and David R. Ellis's direction, featuring spectacular stunts complemented by standout performances from Kim Basinger and William H. Macy.

The plot unfolds rapidly as Jessica Martin (Basinger) gets abducted and detained in an attic. She ingeniously reconnects a smashed phone to reach Ryan, who reluctantly answers the call, inadvertently becoming her only hope. As Ryan traverses L.A., navigating fading signals and dying batteries, he encounters escalating challenges, including menacing kidnappers led by Jason Statham’s Ethan and a series of vehicular escapades. This urgent pace is accentuated by numerous near-misses and miscommunication, maintaining a gripping tension throughout.

While the technical aspects like fading cell signals are well-utilized within the story, contributing significantly to the film's urgency, the movie somewhat lacks the psychological depth characteristic of traditional Hitchcockian suspense. Instead, "Cellular" thrives on brisk, kinetic energy, with extensive car chases and physical confrontations dominating the screen time. Williams H. Macy’s portrayal of Sgt. Mooney adds depth and humor, his subplot interweaving seamlessly with the main storyline. Though the narrative's technological premise dates it slightly, "Cellular" remains a tautly structured thriller that continues to engage audiences with its relentless pace and inventive execution.

"Cellular" arrives on Blu-ray with a transfer that highlights this action-packed thriller’s dynamic environment and brisk pace. The visual presentation is solid, capturing the bright Los Angeles setting with remarkable clarity and vibrancy. Details are crisp, and colors pop without appearing oversaturated. Skin tones are natural, and shadows retain depth, contributing to a balanced visual experience. While some grain persists, likely due to the film’s original stock, it adds a welcome texture without degrading the overall image quality.

The audio quality is equally impressive, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that delivers robust sound dynamics. Dialogue is clear and well-positioned in the center channel, ensuring every word is discernible. Action sequences benefit from a lively surround mix that immerses the viewer in the on-screen chaos. The score, composed by John Ottman, seamlessly blends into the audio landscape, heightening tension without overwhelming the dialogue or effects. Bass response is tight and impactful during key moments, supporting the film’s high-energy sequences effectively.

The special features include a mix of behind-the-scenes content and commentary tracks that offer deeper insight into the film's production. These extras provide value to fans and cinephiles interested in the filmmaking process.

Although "Cellular" wasn't a big success, it is rightly considered the breakout film for Chris Evans, who had until then been limited to dumb teen roles in disposable fare like "Not Another Teen Movie." "Cellular" let Evans play an (almost) adult, and it thereby paved the way for roles in the comic franchises that have since made him famous, i.e., the Fantastic Four films and the Captain America/Avengers series. The film itself deserves a second look. It's well-constructed, professionally made and a refreshing change from thrillers that depend on arbitrary twists. Instead, "Cellular" works by creating a genuine sense of jeopardy and putting credible obstacles in the paths of those trying to help. That kind of simple pleasure is fast becoming an endangered species. Highly recommended.