Soylent Green Blu-ray Review

Warner’s Blu-ray release of ‘Soylent Green’ delivers a commendable 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer in a 2.40:1 widescreen format. The overall video quality, while not immaculate, showcases a filmic integrity reflective of its 1970s origin. Viewers will appreciate the natural grain structure that remains largely unaltered by Digital Noise Reduction (DNR), contributing to its authentic cinematic feel. Skin tones exhibit a warm, Hollywood style, with solid shadow details and high contrast levels that provide true blacks. However, some interiors show heightened grain levels, though only marginally offensive. The print used is notably clean, with minor dust and dirt but minimal encoder anomalies such as macroblocking or significant ringing from oversharpening. Although it doesn't rival modern restored classics, it holds its own within the High Definition space.

Richard Kline’s cinematographic choices are preserved well, with the dystopian color palette remaining robust and visually appealing. Vibrant hues, notably reds and the signature green elements, stand out against darker backdrops, particularly in well-dressed interior scenes. The stylistic yellowish-green tint employed in exterior scenes enhances the narrative's polluted dystopia but does soften edges and reduce detail visibility compared to interiors. On occasion, the grain approaches noise levels during low-light scenes, such as those featuring Thorn and Cheryl at night. Blacks occasionally crush and shadow delineation falters, yet these appear more as source limitations rather than transfer issues. All in all, cinephiles will find much to appreciate in this Blu-ray transfer that honors the original film’s artistic intentions while delivering a solid high-definition experience.

The audio presentation of "Soylent Green" on Blu-ray is delivered through a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track that effectively captures the essence of its original cinematic release. The sound mix is centralized, rendering a faithful, front-and-center auditory experience devoid of surround or LFE enhancements. This is particularly advantageous for maintaining clear and intelligible dialogue, even when paired with Fred Myrow's compelling score. Despite being limited to mono, which inherently restricts the audio's dynamic range, the mix is surprisingly detailed and devoid of age-related artifacts like snap, crackle, or pop, thanks to a meticulous digital clean-up process.

For purists, this audio track offers an enticingly crisp and proficient listen. Crowd scenes and action sequences provide adequate ambiance and dynamics. Notably, effects such as a crowbar hitting concrete deliver a sharp metallic ping but lack substantial low-frequency extension, revealing the limitations inherent in a mono presentation. While some Foley work and ADR, such as Heston's dialogue in specific scenes, can sound disconnected, overall, the effects are generally bright and buoyant.

In summary, though the mono track won't impress those seeking an immersive or ground-shaking audio experience, it succeeds in delivering a serviceable and authentic sonic backdrop true to Fleischer's original vision. This careful balance ensures that critical elements like dialogue and score thrive amidst a clean and adequately dynamic soundscape.

The Blu-ray release of "Soylent Green" offers a collection of extras that deepen the appreciation of this classic film, though the quality varies. Anchoring the set, the Audio Commentary by director Richard Fleischer and actress Leigh Taylor-Young provides intriguing behind-the-scenes insights, though it is marred by occasional silences. Fleischer’s anecdotes about Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson, juxtaposed with Taylor-Young’s environmentalist reflections, capture the essence of the production. However, gaps in the commentary might detract for some listeners. The featurette A Look at the World of Soylent Green presents period promotional material and set footage but suffers from poor print quality. MGM’s Tribute to Edward G. Robinson’s 101st Film is a poignant homage to Robinson, highlighted by a gathering hosted by Heston. Finally, the Theatrical Trailer offers a nostalgic glimpse into ’70s marketing tactics.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Fleischer and actress Taylor-Young provide production insights.
• A Look at the World of Soylent Green: Vintage featurette exploring the thematic ideas of the film.
• MGM’s Tribute to Edward G. Robinson’s 101st Film: Celebration of Robinson’s career.
• Theatrical Trailer: A classic ’70s marketing trailer.

"Soylent Green" hits Blu-ray in a respectable 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer, preserving its 2.40:1 aspect ratio while maintaining the film’s nostalgic charm through a subtle grain. The visual quality does justice to its 1973 origins with solid skin tones and deep blacks throughout its predominantly dimly lit scenes. The audio, presented in DTS-HD MA mono, faithfully captures the original soundtrack, ensuring a crisp, crackle-free experience.

The narrative thrusts us into a dystopian 2022 where overpopulation and climate crisis have driven humanity to near collapse. Charlton Heston plays Detective Thorn, tasked with investigating the murder of a Soylent Corporation executive, William Simonson (Joseph Cotten). The Soylent Corporation, a behemoth in the production of consumable wafers sustaining city masses, becomes the investigative focal point. Thorn is frequently guided by his elderly roommate Sol Roth (Edward G. Robinson), whose nostalgic anecdotes about a bygone era provide poignant counterpoints to the grim reality, establishing an emotional core that persists throughout the film.

Despite some dated elements and an ending that today's viewers might see coming due to extensive pop-culture exposure, "Soylent Green" remains compelling. Its exploration of environmental cataclysms, resource scarcity, and corporate secrecy seems startlingly prescient. However, the film’s occasionally awkward transitions and dated production choices underscore an era-specific charm while detracting slightly from its overall cohesion. Moments of powerful cinematic resonance, such as Roth's interactions with Thorn or his eventual clinic visit, are somewhat marred by the less consistent narrative segments. Nonetheless, "Soylent Green" is an essential watch for sci-fi enthusiasts and retains its status as a cult classic despite its somewhat disjointed storytelling.

Soylent Green offers a particularly peculiar but at-times eerily prescient vision of a future gone mad. Heston and Edwards lend the film strength -- even when Fleischer actively undermines its power -- and its central ideas are fascinating enough to help newcomers push through to the bitter, largely predictable end. Warner's Blu-ray release has its own share of shortcomings, but its fairly faithful AV presentation and passable supplemental package increase its appeal, especially considering Soylent Green's price point. While not for everyone, future dystopian junkies and curious filmfans should afford Fleischer's off-kilter sci-fi genre pic some consideration.

Though the technology is dated, like the videogame from the future Computer Space, which was designed by Nolan Bushnell, who later founded Atari and designed Pong, the ideas in 'Soylent Green' and the very good performances are what should keep the audience's interest. The Blu-ray does the best it can with the source material and purists will be happy that modern-day gimmicks were not used to augment the viewer's experience. Recommended

"Soylent Green" offers a uniquely unsettling vision of a dystopian future, made compelling by Charlton Heston and Leigh Taylor-Young's strong performances. Despite some directorial choices by Richard Fleischer that may dampen its impact, the narrative's core themes remain engaging. Warner's Blu-ray release, although imperfect, presents a faithful audio-visual experience that stays true to the original material. This, coupled with a reasonably comprehensive supplemental package, enhances its collectibility, especially given its affordable price.

The Blu-ray may not be flawless, particularly considering the dated technology it represents—akin to Nolan Bushnell's pioneering yet primitive 'Computer Space.' However, it manages to convey the essential ideas and performances that captivate viewers. Notably, the absence of modern enhancements ensures an authentic experience for purists, preserving the film's original essence without unnecessary embellishments.

In conclusion, while "Soylent Green" may not appeal to everyone, it holds substantial value for those with an interest in dystopian narratives and sci-fi classics. The Blu-ray edition effectively balances nostalgia with quality, making it a worthwhile addition to any collection.