Lucy Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Lucy" is nothing short of impeccable. Universal’s 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer exhibits a stunning visual fidelity that avoids any appreciable flaws. Colors are vibrant and bold, showcasing striking primaries and beautifully saturated skintones. The black levels are exceptionally deep and inky, contributing to excellent contrast. The sharpness throughout the presentation allows for fine textures to be revealed with remarkable detail. Moreover, shadow delineation is handled superbly, providing depth and nuance to darker scenes. There's an admirable absence of visual imperfections – no ringing, artifacting, banding, aliasing, or errant noise to detract from the crisp, clean edges and overall clarity.

Shot primarily with Arri Alexa digital equipment, "Lucy" translates remarkably to Blu-ray in crisp, detailed 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC format. The transfer's sharpness can sometimes bring out weaknesses in the film's less realistic special effects, particularly during sequences involving Lucy's telepathic abilities or her transformation scenes. Nonetheless, the image depth remains superb with just a minor criticism: colors tend to veer towards over-saturation, resulting in slightly warm skin tones. This over-saturation does not significantly detract from the viewing experience, however, which remains notably pristine. Universal has undeniably delivered a compelling visual experience worthy of accolades, inching close to reference quality.

Overall, fans of "Lucy" will find the Blu-ray video transfer to be an exhilarating showcase of high-definition visuals. The meticulous attention to detail renders an almost flawless picture that stands out in both its vibrant color palette and its precise resolution without a hint of common transfer flaws. It's a formidable presentation that will undoubtedly delight viewers with its clarity and visual prowess.

The Blu-ray release of "Lucy" impresses with an exemplary DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix that truly enhances the viewing experience. This lossless soundtrack dynamically utilizes the full sound system to complement the film's action and score, delivering a balanced and engaging audio presentation. The surround channels are actively involved, providing a compelling mix of discrete effects and spatial ambience. The dynamic range is commendably expansive, ensuring that subtle vocal nuances and background low-level sounds are always clear. The seamless integration of front and rear channels results in a cohesive and immersive listening environment, enriched by robust bass that adds palpable depth and energy.

This DTS-HD MA mix stands out for its hearty and aggressive LFE output, which robustly supports every impact, explosion, and moment of chaos on screen. The rear speaker activity is particularly noteworthy, with precise directionality, smooth cross-channel movements, and an all-encompassing soundfield that draws listeners into every scene. Dialogue delivery is exceptional, maintaining clarity and priority whether in quiet moments or amidst intense action sequences. The balance between the actors' voices and Eric Serra's pulsating score is impeccably managed, avoiding any distortion or need for volume adjustment by the viewer.

Moreover, this audio track excels in delivering crisp dialogue and effective directional cues during high-energy sequences, such as shootouts and high-speed chases. The audio remains well-balanced, with the explosive action never overshadowing the spoken word. Including English, French, and Spanish 5.1 DTS tracks, along with an English 2.0 Descriptive Video Service track and subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish, this Blu-ray's audio presentation is thoughtfully comprehensive and uniformly high in quality.

The extras included in the "Lucy" Blu-ray provide an enriching deep dive into both the making of the film and the scientific concepts it plays with. With contributions from director Luc Besson, cast members, and even academics, the featurettes offer a comprehensive look at the project’s evolution and the pseudo-science behind it. The highlight is undoubtedly "The Evolution of Lucy," which covers everything from the screenplay to the impressive visual effects. Meanwhile, "Cerebral Capacity" humorously explores the film's contentious assertion about brain usage with insights from Morgan Freeman and professors who offer their perspectives, albeit with some skepticism.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Evolution of Lucy: Writer/director Luc Besson and cast discuss the film's script, development, shoot, and visual effects.
• Cerebral Capacity: The True Science of Lucy: Luc Besson, Morgan Freeman, and professors discuss the science behind the movie.
• Previews: Collection of trailers for other films.

"Lucy," directed by Luc Besson, features Scarlett Johansson transforming into an unstoppable force after being exposed to a powerful synthetic drug, CPH4, which alters her brain's capacity beyond human limits. Though predicated on the debunked myth that humans use only 10% of their brains, the film embraces its pseudo-science with exuberance, delivering a visual and visceral spectacle. Besson's direction is invigorated, showcasing his flair for frenetic action sequences replete with telekinesis, high-speed chases, and cosmic animations that captivate despite occasional CGI missteps.

Scarlett Johansson excels in bringing complexity to Lucy, balancing her character's emotional loss and newfound powers with precision. Min-sik Choi delivers a chilling performance as Mr. Jang, a villain whose menace lurks beneath his calm demeanor. Even though Morgan Freeman’s role as a neuroscientist primarily serves to deliver expository dialogue, his gravitas lends credence to the film's outlandish premise. The narrative’s pace ensures constant engagement, with each scene intensifying Lucy’s capabilities toward omnipotence and creating a chaotic yet thrilling journey.

Despite its scientific inaccuracies and the protagonist’s increasingly robotic demeanor, "Lucy" succeeds in blending Besson's trademark stylized violence and Johansson's multifaceted portrayal, making it a uniquely engrossing experience. The film’s strongest asset is its ability to entertain through spectacle, invoking a sense of wonder while urging viewers to suspend disbelief—at least for 90 minutes. For fans of high-concept action thrillers and Besson's directorial prowess, "Lucy" offers an unabashedly exhilarating ride from start to finish.

“Lucy” delivers an experience that leans heavily into high-concept action and visual spectacle. Scarlett Johansson’s riveting performance, along with Choi Min-sik’s dynamic portrayal of the antagonist, elevates the film beyond its narrative shortcomings. Despite numerous plot holes and the reliance on dubious scientific premises, the film manages to remain engaging through its fast-paced action sequences and inventive direction by Luc Besson. It’s a film that revels in its own grandiosity, inviting viewers to overlook its faults and simply enjoy the ride.

Universal’s Blu-ray release significantly enhances this experience with a top-notch audiovisual presentation. The picture quality is impeccable, capturing the vivid, dynamic visuals with pristine clarity and detail. The disc’s audio quality does not disappoint either; the soundscapes are robust and well-defined, heightening the cinematic experience. While light on special features, the Blu-ray’s technical prowess offers a compelling reason for fans and newcomers to invest in the physical media format.

In conclusion, "Lucy" may stumble in its intellectual aspirations, presenting a narrative riddled with logical gaps and oversimplified ideas of human potential. However, it compensates with thrilling action, strong performances, and an immersive audiovisual experience on Blu-ray. For fans of Luc Besson's unique style and those who appreciate high-energy sci-fi action, this Blu-ray offers a captivating escape that is both visually stunning and highly entertaining.