The Order

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Order" finds itself teetering between a commendable upgrade and a missed opportunity to truly shine in high definition. Delving into the heart of its 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer, the experience could be best described as a mixed bag. On one hand, there are undoubtedly moments where the clarity and detail surpass its DVD predecessor, particularly noticeable in close-up shots, which benefit from the enhanced resolution revealing finer texture and depth. This is a testament to a transfer that, while flawed, shows glimpses of potential—sans any egregious use of DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) or edge enhancement, maintaining the film's original grain and avoiding artificial sharpening.

However, the shortcomings of this transfer are too substantial to overlook, most notably in its handling of darker scenes and contrast levels. Numerous pivotal moments, such as the eerie encounter with the child demon or the meeting with the Black Pope, are marred by impenetrably deep shadows and a conspicuous lack of detail, rendering these scenes difficult to decipher without ideal viewing conditions. The film's deliberate attempt at a retro aesthetic, invoking the era of '70s horror cinema through its grainy texture and muted color palette, seems to be at odds with the capabilities of the Blu-ray format. Colors are consistently subdued, and contrast often appears washed out, contributing to an overall flat and uninspiring visual impression.

In essence, while "The Order" on Blu-ray marks an incremental improvement over past releases with respect to detail in well-lit scenes, it's ultimately hindered by inconsistent black levels and an underwhelming execution of its darker visuals. Despite these setbacks, the transfer remains free from severe digital manipulation, thereby offering a faithful, if not entirely satisfying, depiction of the film’s intended atmospheric gloom.

The audio presentation of "The Order" on its Blu Ray release, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, presents a somewhat understated experience, especially when considering the dynamic potential typically associated with the sound design of genre films. While not exactly a horror movie, thereby sidestepping the intense, enveloping soundscapes often found in such films, "The Order" still offers moments where the audio mix shines. Instances of environmental sounds like bats fluttering and winds howling through the multi-channel setup demonstrate an awareness of spatial audio possibilities. However, these instances are more sporadic highlights rather than a consistent theme throughout the movie.

The technical quality of the mix itself is beyond reproach, with dialogue perfectly balanced within the soundscape, ensuring that every word is clear and discernible. The soundtrack, composed by David Torn, adds a layer of intensity and foreboding that arguably surpasses the film's own narrative stakes, supported by a depth of bass that adds gravitas and crisp trebles that enrich the overall clarity of the sound. Yet, despite these positives, the audio design does not fully exploit the immersive opportunities offered by its 5.1 surround sound setup. The soundscape, while competent, rarely ventures into innovative or memorable territory, aligning itself more closely with the film's generally muted reception than with groundbreaking audiovisual experiences.

Moreover, the supplemental features like optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles are executed well, providing clear, easy-to-read translations without detracting from the visual experience. This attention to detail ensures accessibility while maintaining professionalism in presentation. However, it's clear that while the audio track of "The Order" is technically solid with some noteworthy elements, it ultimately mirrors the film's overall lack of excitement and engagement, contributing to an audio experience that is competent yet uninspiring.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Order" may not dazzle with quantity but offer a glimpse into the creation and fine-tuning process of the film. The included audio commentary from writer/director Brian Helgeland, though lacking enthusiasm, provides an in-depth look at his creative decisions, albeit with a tendency to state the obvious. The seven deleted or expanded scenes, complemented by optional commentary, add almost twenty minutes of additional content, allowing viewers to delve deeper into what might have been. Unfortunately, these scenes, along with the theatrical trailer included, are only available in standard definition, hinting at missed opportunities for enhancing the viewing experience with higher quality visuals.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Brian Helgeland: An in-depth exploration of the film's creation process.
• Deleted/Expanded Scenes with Optional Commentary: Nearly twenty minutes of additional content that didn't make the final cut.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer in standard definition.

The Order" delves into the realm of religious horror, a genre punctuated by its exploration of the ethereal struggle between celestial forces, encapsulated within the frameworks of Catholicism. Yet, where classics like "The Exorcist" and "The Omen" harnessed this thematic powerhouse to evoke a riveting cosmic conflict, "The Order" stumbles into cinematic limbo. Directed and penned by Brian Helgeland in 2003, amidst a fleeting resurgence of religious horror, the film fails to grasp the essence that made its predecessors compelling. Despite a promising premise centered around Alex Bernier (Heath Ledger), a rogue priest from the diminishing Carolingian sect embroiled in Vatican intrigues and supernatural clashes, the movie's execution is marred by a convoluted script and a lack of clear intent, rendering it a sluggish attempt at portraying a spiritual warfare.

In its narrative labyrinth, "The Order" introduces an array of characters including Mara (Shannyn Sossamon), whose entanglements with Alex flirt with the boundaries of his celibacy vow, and Thomas (Mark Addy), adding a touch of camaraderie laced with humor. However, their journey into the underground mysteries of sin-eating, symbolized by William Eden (Benno Furman) as the immortal Sin Eater, promises an introspective dive into themes of absolution, redemption, and existential turmoil but delivers a fragmented plot that meanders into disappointingly dead ends. The ensemble's interactions offer glimpses into potentially rich backstories and ethical dilemmas but are ultimately undercut by narrative disarray and superficial character development.

Helgeland's attempt to merge horror with a Vatican-centered conspiracy thriller echoes the ambitions of "The Da Vinci Code," yet lacks the suspense or intellectual rigor to cement its place within either genre effectively. "The Order" squanders its thematic potential, unfolding as a sequence of missed opportunities to explore profound philosophical questions through its characters and mythos. Moreover, Ledger's performance, constrained by a script devoid of substance, mirrors the film's overarching struggle: a quest for meaning that culminates in ambiguity. Rather than evolving into a thought-provoking exploration of faith and morality, "The Order" remains an enigmatic footnote in the annals of religious horror cinema, noteworthy neither for its frights nor its insights.

The Order," as presented on Blu-ray, showcases an intriguing yet flawed merging of horror elements with a liturgical thriller framework, falling short in delivering consistent thrills and pacing. The film embarks with an ambition to delve into horror, only to gradually transition into a thriller narrative heavily embedded in religious overtones. This thematic shift, however, struggles to maintain engagement, moving at an exceedingly slow pace reminiscent of a ceremonial procession. Despite its narrative shortcomings, the technical presentation on the Blu-ray format is commendable, offering a decent visual and auditory experience that somewhat elevates the overall viewing.

The film's narrative ambitions and its execution on Blu-ray merit discussion. The visual fidelity and sound quality are adequately managed, ensuring that "The Order" is presented in a manner that could potentially enhance its reception among viewers. Yet, the core issue lies within the film’s inability to captivate or sustain interest, owing much to its plodding storyline and missed opportunities in leveraging its horror-thriller potential. For aficionados of Heath Ledger's work, this might offer some value as part of a comprehensive viewing of his filmography, but for casual viewers or fans seeking a compelling thriller, it falls noticeably short.

In conclusion, while "The Order" receives a passable Blu-ray presentation, its narrative failures and lack of thrilling moments make it a challenging recommendation. The technical aspects alone cannot salvage the film's slow-paced, underwhelming plot and thematic execution. For dedicated fans of the genre or Ledger, it may hold some interest, but most audiences will find little to merit a viewing. Thereby, "The Order" on Blu-ray stands as a testament to missed potential rather than a noteworthy addition to one's movie collection.