Spacewalk Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the Blu-ray presentation of "Spacewalk" offers a visually engaging experience with highly impressive image detail in both wide shots and close-ups. The film's aesthetically pleasing visuals reflect the smooth and polished appearance characteristic of its source decade, with notable depth and density throughout. While there are suspicions of minimal noise reduction in specific scenes, these instances remain unobtrusive and do not detract from the overall viewing quality.

The color palette predominantly features teal and orange, especially noticeable in the mission control scenes, complemented by rock-solid black levels and excellent contrast. The muted tones in other segments add to the film's visual consistency and appeal. Notably, there are no glaring compression artifacts or defects detected, maintaining the integrity of the presentation. Some shots displaying slight juddering appear to be a deliberate directorial choice to mimic the look of historical footage, which adds to the authenticity of the visual narrative.

Overall, "Spacewalk" on Blu-ray is a stellar visual experience that aligns perfectly with its era's aesthetic while maintaining high technical quality through excellent color grading and solid compression standards. The lack of a 3D option is a minor omission and does not significantly diminish what is otherwise a top-notch transfer with very little room for improvement.

The Blu-ray release of "Spacewalk" offers an exceptional audio presentation, armed with dual Russian and English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio tracks. However, it is advisable to avoid the English dub as the original Russian mix significantly enhances the viewing experience. The lossless audio quality shines, particularly during dynamic sequences in the second half of the film. From the omnipresent low rumble of space to the claustrophobic sounds within the spacecraft, these elements create a captivating and immersive experience. The re-entry sequence stands out with its impressive channel separation and panning effects, emphasizing the unfolding chaos in a highly convincing manner. Dialogue remains crystal clear and balanced seamlessly with background effects throughout the film.

"Spacewalker's" original score, although occasionally derivative of notable soundtracks like "Gravity" and "Batman Begins," is delivered with a strong dynamic range that avoids over-cooking. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix also boasts robust low-frequency effects (LFE) that enhance the atmospheric use of surround channels. The mix is well-balanced, ensuring there's no need to adjust the volume frequently, providing a polished listening experience overall. Fidelity checks between audio tracks indicate identical volume levels and quality. Optional subtitles are available in standard English for Russian dialogue translations and English SDH for the dub, alongside subtitles on a few extras, enhancing usability without compromising audio integrity.

The Blu-ray release of "Spacewalk" offers a robust selection of extras that enrich the viewing experience. The standout features are two detailed documentaries with invaluable insights from the late Alexei Leonov, who played a pivotal role in the real-life mission depicted in the film. "The First Walk in Space" delves into Leonov's personal anecdotes and provides a fascinating glimpse into the Soviet space program, enhanced by rare photographs and footage. Meanwhile, "The Story Behind Spacewalker" covers the technical aspects of the film’s production, featuring interviews with both Leonov and the crew, including director Dmitriy Kiselev. These featurettes are in Russian with removable English subtitles, preserving the authenticity of the narration, while the trailer is available in English.

Extras included in this disc:

• The First Walk in Space: Consultant Alexei Leonov shares memories from the mission with personal photos and historical footage.
• The Story Behind Spacewalker: Comments on the film’s creation, covering adaptation, casting, and effects.
• Theatrical Trailer: Dubbed in English.

Dmitriy Kiselev’s "Spacewalker" (also known as "The Age of Pioneers" and "Spacewalk") is a meticulously crafted 2017 historical drama that has made a much-anticipated Region A Blu-ray debut. The film's tight 140-minute narrative effectively condenses the real-life events of the Voskhod 2 mission, where Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to complete a spacewalk, despite the mission's myriad technical problems that nearly claimed the lives of Leonov and his partner, commander Pavel Belyayev. The film navigates this harrowing journey with skilled storytelling, revealing the personal and technical challenges faced by the cosmonauts. From Leonov's landmark spacewalk to the hazardous emergency landing in the icy forests of western Russia, "Spacewalker" is steeped in suspense and drama.

The narrative is straightforward and avoids unnecessary gimmicks, echoing classics like "The Right Stuff," "First Man," "Apollo 13," and "Gravity." The film’s first hour is heavily focused on training and mission preparations, including Leonov’s (Evgeniy Mironov) battle with a leg injury and Sergey Korolev’s (Vladimir Ilin) leadership amidst bureaucratic interference. As it delves into the space program's public image during the Cold War, the story is told from a patriotic Russian perspective but manages to maintain historical accuracy, partly credited to the involvement of real-life cosmonaut Alexei Leonov as a consultant. The mission portion delivers intense sequences: a faulty lock mechanism, a crack in the craft's hull threatening oxygen poisoning, and their perilous reentry culminating in a frozen forest emergency landing. This sequence of climaxes ensures a thrilling second half that compensates for a slightly uneven start.

"Spacewalker" balances solid performances with impressive visual effects to recreate this underrepresented space race story vividly. While it sometimes resorts to bland exposition through intermittent text breaks, the film largely succeeds in delivering an engaging and well-paced retelling. It brings to life the struggles against government indifference and the unforgiving nature of both space and Earth. The A/V presentation of the Blu-ray is top-notch, supported by select imported extras that enhance its overall value. This combination of strong storytelling, technical fidelity, and historical poignancy makes "Spacewalker" a compelling watch.

Dmitriy Kiselev's "Spacewalker" stands out as a compelling historical drama that effectively portrays the Soviet side of the 1960s Space Race. The film, while not breaking new narrative ground, remains engaging from start to finish due to its robust storytelling and well-crafted characters. Featuring exceptional lead and supporting performances, the movie offers a deep dive into the Cold War-era space exploration efforts, presenting a perspective often underrepresented in Western media. Notably, the second half of the film is particularly thrilling, bolstered by impressive special effects that enhance the overall viewing experience.

From a technical standpoint, MPI's Blu-ray release of "Spacewalker" does not disappoint. It delivers solid audiovisual specifications, ensuring a high-quality, immersive experience for viewers. The Blu-ray includes dual audio tracks in both Russian and English, although it is advised to steer clear of the dub version to preserve the authenticity of the performances. Moreover, the edition is complemented by a collection of insightful supplements that provide additional context and depth to the narrative, including contributions from Alexei Leonov, the cosmonaut and lead consultant for the film.

In conclusion, "Spacewalker" is a meticulously made drama that should find a place in any cinephile’s collection. Its blend of historical accuracy, compelling performances, and technical prowess make it comparable to Hollywood classics such as "Apollo 13" and "The Right Stuff." Priced reasonably at $15, this Blu-ray offers excellent value for fans of the genre and those with an interest in spaceflight history. Highly recommended.