Gone Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Gone" on Blu-ray serves as a testament to the technical prowess emanating from the merger between Lionsgate and Summit Films, delivering an AVC encoded 1080p transfer presented in a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.40:1. Viewers are treated to a visual feast that deftly balances color saturation with meticulous attention to detail. This release showcases the capabilities of the Red Camera system, though it does fall prey to a somewhat flat aspect commonly attributed to digital filming methods. Additionally, the heavy use of filtering at the digital intermediate stage introduces a predominant blue hue and low contrast in certain scenes, notably affecting the visibility and texture within darker sequences, culminating in a noticeable crush during the film’s climactic moments.

Despite these minor setbacks, the Blu-ray disc excels in its depiction of natural landscapes and intricate textures, distinguished by its remarkable colorization and sharpness. From the lush greens of forest scenes to the intricacy of urban aerials, the transfer ensures that every detail, down to individual strands of hair and minute insects, is rendered with clarity and precision. The disc benefits from the restrained use of special features, avoiding potential compression issues that could mar its visual quality. This strategy pays off by preserving high detail levels across a variety of settings, accentuated by well-defined shadows and deep black levels that contribute to a consistently crisp and immersive viewing experience.

However, it's not entirely without flaw; a slight imperfection is evident in the form of minor aliasing within some of the aerial shots of Portland. Nonetheless, this issue is minor and does not detract significantly from the overall quality of the video presentation. The disc’s adherence to avoiding unnecessary digital noise reduction (DNR) and edge enhancement techniques further ensures that the natural beauty and intended visual style of "Gone" are preserved, offering viewers a nearly impeccable visual experience that demonstrates both care and mastery in digital transfer.

The audio presentation of "Gone" on Blu Ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that overall delivers an immersive auditory experience, albeit with a mix of strengths and minor shortcomings. The track excels in its environmental sound design, particularly noted in the opening sequence set in Forest Park, where the ambient sounds of the breeze and babbling brook are effectively disseminated through the surround channels, creating a convincingly natural outdoor ambience. This meticulous attention to ambient effects, combined with a broad dynamic range and stellar fidelity, enhances the film's atmospheric tension. However, it’s the scoring that tends to steal the show, providing dynamic range even if it somewhat lacks in originality, drawing comparisons to scores from notable films like 'Halloween' and 'The Dark Knight.' Despite this, the music dynamically fills the space, marking a high point in the audio mix's creativity.

Conversely, the audio mix does not maintain this high standard across all aspects. While certain scenes boast richly layered effects that utilize the surround sound setup effectively—such as the shower scene and a high-speed chase—there remains a noticeable inconsistency, with many scenes featuring effects that come across as bland and overly front-focused. This inconsistency can sometimes detract from the otherwise immersive experience offered by the well-mixed scenes.

The most notable weakness in the audio presentation lies in the vocals. Despite clear articulation, dialogues are delivered with a flatness and lack spatial depth, confined predominantly to the front and center channels. This limitation is further accentuated by performances that are criticized for their monotony, contributing to a somewhat diminished auditory experience in scenes heavily reliant on dialogue. In sum, while "Gone's" audio track shows moments of brilliance particularly in its scoring and environmental sound effects, it is slightly marred by uneven quality in effects mixing and underwhelming vocal presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "Gone" starkly mirrors the anticipation Summit Entertainment held for its performance in the home video market, as evidenced by the complete absence of supplementary materials or special features. This decision reflects a minimalist approach, focusing solely on providing the film itself without any additional content to enhance the viewer's experience or understanding of the movie's production, context, or impact. This bare-bones edition may disappoint enthusiasts seeking a deeper dive into the making of "Gone" or any behind-the-scenes insights, as it starkly deviates from the expectations set by other releases that often include a plethora of extras aimed at enriching the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• N/A: No supplementary materials provided.

The film "Gone," starring Amanda Seyfried, is set against the cloudy, gloomy backdrop of Portland, Oregon, and attempts to weave a suspenseful narrative of abduction and personal resolve. Seyfried portrays Jill, a young woman ensnared in a chilling predicament: a year after her own harrowing escape from an unidentified abductor, her sister Molly disappears under eerily similar circumstances. The plot thickens with Jill's fraught quest to validate her traumatic experience and save her sister, battling not only the skepticism of the police—due to her history of mental instability—but also the ticking clock of time. Despite its potential for an engaging thriller, "Gone" succumbs to an all-too-familiar storyline punctuated by clichés that render its suspense predictable to the audience. This reiteration of worn-out motifs, such as the misunderstood protagonist and the climactic yet lackluster confrontation with the antagonist, leaves much to be desired in terms of originality and narrative depth.

Compounding the movie's struggles is its treatment of the setting and character development. Portland's depiction as merely a shadowy and ominous locale misses an opportunity to delve deeper into its unique character, instead opting for surface-level gloom to drive the film's atmosphere. Similarly, Jill's character arc, intended to showcase resilience and determination, is undermined by a series of implausible and conveniently placed clues that propel her forward. The film's reliance on formulaic elements and a lack of substantial build-up to its resolutions only detracts from the immersive experience that thriller genres strive for. In essence, while Seyfried delivers a performance that strives to anchor the film, "Gone" ultimately does not escape the trappings of its genre stereotypes, leaving audiences with a familiar narrative that fails to captivate or provide any lasting impression beyond its conclusion.

In examining the Blu-ray presentation of "Gone", it becomes apparent that the film itself struggles to deliver an engaging narrative or innovative concept, often leaving viewers disenchanted with its lackluster execution. Despite the promise of suspense and mystery within the backdrop of Portland's eerie forests, the film underwhelms, failing to differentiate itself from a myriad of similar films that tread familiar storylines and character arcs. The main critique lies not just in the film's inability to captivate but also in its overt predictability and the recycling of cookie-cutter elements seen in countless other movies. This issue is further exacerbated by a lack of focus in the storyline, primarily showcasing the protagonist in a relentless pursuit rather than unraveling the mystery at hand, rendering the plot both unoriginal and transparent.

Technically, the Blu-ray release offers a slight reprieve through its superior video and audio quality that surprisingly stands above expectations, given the film's overall reception. The video presentation is nearly flawless, marred only by a minor aliasing issue which, in the grand scheme, doesn't detract significantly from the viewing experience. The audio mix, while not groundbreaking, provides an adequate auditory experience, though it lacks the dynamic range found in more polished studio releases. The absence of any special features on the BD-25 disc suggests that even Summit Entertainment may have recognized the film's shortcomings, opting for a minimalistic release that arguably mirrors the effort put into the film's production.

In conclusion, "Gone" presents a paradox where high-quality technical presentation clashes with a film that fails to leave a memorable impression on its audience. Even with commendable video and audio quality, these technical merits cannot compensate for a narrative that feels both tired and uninspired. Fans of Amanda Seyfried or those with an affinity for films set within Portland's mystique might find some value in this release. However, for the majority seeking a compelling thriller that offers novelty and engagement, "Gone" on Blu-ray is an opportunity missed rather than a hidden gem unearthed.