Brainstorm Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Brainstorm" retains Douglas Trumbull's unconventional use of shifting aspect ratios, with the 2.40:1 widescreen (1911 x 796 pixels) used for the mind-interface sequences and the 1.67:1 (1330 x 796 pixels) for real-world scenes. The resulting non-anamorphic letterboxing on all sides is authentic to Trumbull's vision but can be quite jarring and distracting. This artistic choice makes the mind-interface sequences visceral, while the real-world scenes appear listless and constrained. Unfortunately, the visual quality in both scenarios leaves much to be desired as colors seem muted, and black levels lack the depth needed to provide a robust contrast.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray's 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer is clearly derived from mixed-quality 35mm and 65mm source elements. The real-world scenes captured in 35mm appear particularly soft, with washed-out contrast exposing suboptimal production elements such as poor matte paintings. The 65mm brainstorm sequences offer a modest improvement but are often marred by fisheye lens effects that become tedious over time. Furthermore, occasional artifacting, banding, and unwieldy noise detract from the overall fidelity of the transfer, pointing to issues with both source material and encoding integrity.

In summary, while "Brainstorm" on Blu-ray remains faithful to Trumbull's original aspect ratio shift, it is impeded by several visual deficiencies. The inconsistent quality of the film's imagery, coupled with technical flaws, makes for a presentation that, although noteworthy for its authenticity, ultimately falls short of high-definition expectations.

Warner's presentation of "Brainstorm" on Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that provides a mixed auditory experience. The interface sequences are absolutely striking, characterized by loud, jarring elements and a dynamic soundfield that breathes life into the scenes. The low-frequency effects (LFE) and rear speaker output significantly enhance these moments, delivering immersive auditory experiences with sweeping directionality and rich musical depth.

However, outside of these key sequences, the audio experience falters. The majority of the film's soundtrack is limited to a mono or very limited stereo presentation, resulting in flat and sometimes hollow dialogue. This distinct auditory disparity is intentional by director Douglas Trumbull, intended to contrast the real-world scenes with the more lively brainstorm sequences. Unfortunately, the subdued audio presentation in these segments can be quite taxing for viewers, as it lacks engagement and immersion, making dialogue at times clear but often dampened or muffled.

James Horner's score adds another layer to the presentation, though it tends to echo themes from his past works such as "Star Trek II" and "Aliens". While some of the musical score is afforded more stereo breadth in select scenes, this is rare, leaving the majority of the film's even musical components largely constrained by the overall limited audio design. The decision to deaden real-world audio in contrast to the dramatic audio lift in the brainstorm sequences may serve the film's thematic goals but does little to enhance an engaging listening experience throughout its runtime.

The Blu-ray release of "Brainstorm" disappointingly lacks substantive supplemental content that could offer insightful context into the film’s production complexities, particularly the feud involving director Douglas Trumbull and the tragic death of Natalie Wood. The sole inclusion, a standard-definition theatrical trailer, does not enhance the viewing experience and suffers from poor visual quality. This trailer, while containing some rare alternate shots not present in the final cut, leaves much to be desired for enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of the film’s background.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Poor quality SD trailer featuring some deleted shots.

Douglas Trumbull’s "Brainstorm," released in 1983, conveys a high-concept exploration into the conscious and subconscious mind that predates "Inception" by decades. Known primarily for its association with Trumbull's vision and the tragic last film of Natalie Wood, it uniquely plays with narrative and visual storytelling. The story follows a group of scientists led by Michael Brace (Christopher Walken), his estranged wife Karen (Natalie Wood), and pragmatic Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher) as they develop technology enabling the recording and sharing of personal experiences. The film's turning point occurs when Reynolds records her own death experience, propelling Brace into an obsessive quest to unlock the secrets of the afterlife while combating military attempts to seize their invention.

Technically, "Brainstorm" is noteworthy for its use of alternating aspect ratios, depicting reality in standard 35mm and the titular "brainstorm" sequences in 70mm Super Panavision. However, this ambitious visual approach becomes a double-edged sword. Although intended to enhance the narrative, this distinction often overshadows the characters and plot, leading to an uneven viewing experience. The movie's earnest exploration of life-after-death themes is ultimately overshadowed by dated special effects and sporadic pacing. The film’s execution juxtaposes tautly shot scenes influenced by Trumbull’s work on "2001: A Space Odyssey" with stilted performances and occasionally corny dialogue.

Toward its climax, "Brainstorm" finds a momentary alignment between story and visual spectacle, particularly during the intense and visually arresting playback of Reynolds’ death experience. Despite these moments, much of the film suffers from inconsistent tone and performance issues that hinder its overall impact. Nonetheless, Trumbull's direction reflects a fascinating convolution of technical prowess and narrative ambition, meriting appreciation for its daring aesthetic even if it falls short in delivering a cohesive and resonant story.

Douglas Trumbull's "Brainstorm" is an ambitious 1983 sci-fi film that ultimately falls short of its conceptual potential. The story, centering on a high-concept device capable of recording and sharing human experiences, is intriguing but poorly executed. Despite the significance of being Natalie Wood's last film, "Brainstorm" fails to engage due to its plodding pace and dated special effects. The film's reliance on mechanical technology, with its spinning servos and gears, may amuse some viewers but ultimately adds to its overall sense of obsolescence. Trumbull's direction mismanages Rubin’s original story, resulting in a movie that is more curious novelty than compelling narrative.

The Blu-ray release from Warner Bros. mirrors the film’s dated nature. The video transfer is problematic, failing to deliver the clarity expected from high-definition formats. Although equipped with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, the audio quality is decent but unremarkable and does not significantly enhance the viewing experience. Additionally, the disc includes a near-barebones supplemental package, offering little in the way of extras to entice collectors or aficionados. The film’s variable aspect ratio may be intriguing for some, especially on larger projection screens, but can prove annoying for most HDTV owners.

In conclusion, "Brainstorm" would be better suited as source material for a director like Christopher Nolan, who could more efficiently exploit its high-concept premise. As it stands, this release is best suited for rental rather than purchase. Viewers may appreciate the innovative ideas and the historically poignant final minutes featuring Natalie Wood. However, the lackluster video and audio quality and dearth of supplemental content provide little incentive for ownership. Consequently, "Brainstorm" is recommended as a curiosity for aficionados of '80s sci-fi or as rental fodder for those interested in its unique but flawed presentation.