City of Angels Blu-ray Review

Warner's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray of "City of Angels" provides a capture that largely honors the artistic choices of Oscar-winning cinematographer John Seale. Seale crafted a ghostly, silken atmosphere that sets the film apart from the mundane reality of modern L.A., which the transfer retains through its high average bitrate of 25.82 Mbps. The detail in closeups and medium shots is commendable, showcasing objects, wardrobe, and skin textures with satisfactory clarity. However, some softness is observed in long shots, potentially attributed to the effects work or Seale's lighting techniques. The muted, cool palette of Maggie's world contrasts sharply with vibrant bursts from Messinger's scenes, effectively captured in this Blu-ray presentation.

Nevertheless, the transfer is not without its faults. The image quality oscillates between sharp and soft focus, particularly distracting in the inconsistency it introduces. Bright scenes excel in rendering fine details like pores and hair textures with gratifying depth, whereas darker scenes struggle with crushing black levels. Such issues are especially problematic with characters dressed in dark outfits—Seth's black trench coat, for instance, often blends into the dark backgrounds, creating a disconcerting floating head effect. Despite this, the transfer impresses with its cleanliness, free from noticeable debris, scratches, or distracting DNR. Minimal juttering can be detected if scrutinized closely, but the absence of aliasing, banding, artifacts, and edging contributes to a generally pleasing visual experience.

The audio presentation of "City of Angels" on Blu-ray is predominantly characterized by the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, impressively showcasing the film's sound design. The juxtaposition of the celestial and human worlds offers a rich palette for auditory contrasts. Gabriel Yared's emotive score punctuates the movie, particularly in angelic sequences where the music seamlessly transitions from front channels to surround sound, creating an immersive experience. The film effectively utilizes creative mixing techniques, such as during Seth’s exploration of the library, where human thoughts emanate multidirectionally, enhancing the surreal atmosphere.

However, this ingenuity in sound mixing is not uniformly applied throughout the film. While certain scenes receive meticulous attention, ensuring voices and music envelop the audience from all directions, other sequences revert to conventional front-and-center mixing typical of romance dramas. Despite the spatial richness of specific moments, occasional flaws are present. Voices at times suffer from tinny sound resembling overly-compressed MP3 files, and high-end distortion can occur during particularly loud scenes, disrupting the otherwise high-quality auditory experience. Notably, these issues are most prominent during energetic scenes involving vocal peaks.

Overall, the audio track of "City of Angels" on Blu-ray not only enriches the viewing experience but also accentuates the film's thematic contrasts. The occasional glitches in dialogue clarity and inconsistent application of advanced sound mixing do detract slightly from its overall excellence, but they do not overshadow the notable achievements in scenes that employ innovative acoustic elements.

The Blu-ray release of "City of Angels" retains nearly all of the special features from the 2004 DVD, upholding a satisfying array of insightful and detailed extras. Director Brad Silberling provides an intimate commentary that reveals the film's technical challenges and casting choices, while screenwriter Dana Stevens and producer Charles Roven discuss the development process and their collaboration with Wim Wenders. Scene-specific commentaries by John Seale and Lilly Kilvert delve into technical nuances like anamorphic widescreen choices and thematic design elements. The behind-the-scenes featurettes, including "Making Angels" and "The Making of the Visual Effects for City of Angels," offer expansive coverage of filming techniques and visual effects. Although some features like composer Gabriel Yared's commentary are missing, the provided content is extensive and engrossing.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Brad Siberling: Technical challenges and casting decisions.
• Commentary by Dana Stevens and Charles Roven: Script development and collaborations.
• Scene-Specific Commentary by John Seale: Cinematography insights.
• Scene-Specific Commentary by Lilly Kilvert: Production design and themes.
• Making Angels: Comprehensive behind-the-scenes featurette.
• The Making of the Visual Effects for City of Angels: Detailed look at visual effects.
• Additional Scenes with Optional Commentary: Alternate and extended scenes.
• Music Videos: U2’s "If God Will Send His Angels" and Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris."
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.

"City of Angels" provides a curious blend of celestial awe and earthly romance, creating a film that attempts to transcend the screen with its ethereal narrative. Nicolas Cage stars as Seth, an angel walking among humans in Los Angeles, observing their joys and sorrows. The film plays with the city's dichotomy, contrasting its usual chaotic cinematic representation with beautifully crafted visuals of angels in long, flowing coats perched atop skyscrapers or silently comforting souls in hospitals. John Seale's cinematography and Lynzee Klingman's editing stylize these scenes beautifully, using gliding camera movements to underscore their otherworldliness. This film, adapted from Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire," captures the spiritual crisis of Dr. Maggie Rice (Meg Ryan), a heart surgeon who feels detached after losing a patient. Their improbable love story weaves through complex themes of mortality and spiritual awakening.

Director Brad Silberling successfully harnesses the arresting visuals and an expressive Gabriel Yared score to bolster the film's dreamlike quality. However, the union between the human romance narrative and celestial pondering is uneven. While some critics perceive this fusion as both emotionally manipulative and implausible, others embrace it for its unapologetic sentimentality and star-driven allure. The story is compelling yet suffers from moments of excessive melodrama and inconsistencies in character behavior, particularly the on-and-off dynamic between Seth and Maggie. Dennis Franz adds depth as Nathaniel Messinger, bridging the gap between the two realms with his metaphysical insights.

Overall, "City of Angels" challenges viewers to reflect on life’s fragility and the pursuit of love against insurmountable odds. Reaction to its execution varies widely; some feel it leans too heavily into sap, while others find it an emotive success. For those able to overlook its narrative imperfections, it remains a visually stunning, albeit imperfect, love story celestial in ambition yet bound by earthly limitations.

"City of Angels" on Blu-Ray has generated mixed responses, striking a chord with some viewers while leaving others underwhelmed. For those still enamored with this romantic drama, Warner's Blu-ray presentation delivers a superior high-definition transfer that is both clean and visually appealing. Though there are occasional inconsistencies in sharpness and detail, the overall visual experience is satisfying. The new lossless audio track is similarly impressive, despite some uneven moments. Noir enthusiasts and general movie fans alike will appreciate the inclusion of an extensive set of special features, although it is disappointing that these features are primarily carried over from the original DVD release.

The directorial approach of "City of Angels" continues to draw polarized opinions. While some see it as a heartfelt exploration of love and longing, others criticize it for its overly sentimental and melodramatic tone. Despite these differing viewpoints, it is undeniable that the movie remains a memorable piece for many. The Blu-ray version does justice to the film by providing robust technical quality, enhancing the viewing experience without overly embellishing it. However, it does little to change one's fundamental perception of the film itself - those who considered it a worthwhile watch before are likely to still enjoy it, but skeptics may find their initial reservations unchanged.

In conclusion, "City of Angels" is an earnest film that evokes strong reactions, whether positive or negative. Warner's Blu-ray release is a commendable effort that elevates the film's visual and auditory elements, even if it falls short on offering new features. It stands as a recommended addition for fans who cherish the film's nostalgic value but may be less compelling for those revisiting it with a more critical eye.