Walking Out Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory presents "Walking Out" on Blu-ray with a meticulous video transfer that should please discerning viewers. The film captures the picturesque topography of Paradise Valley with remarkable precision, presenting lush, snow-covered scenes imbued with pale blue color grading. This contributes to the visual allure of the film, accentuating the crispness of the snow and bestowing faces with a naturally ruddy complexion. Notably, the presentation maintains deep, inky blacks void of banding or crush, ensuring a visually satisfying experience throughout.

Encoded in MPEG-4 AVC on a single BD-50 disc, "Walking Out" retains its native 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The disc demonstrates an average video bitrate of 31993 kbps, delivering exceptional clarity and well-defined hues. Low-lit scenes are rendered impeccably with pitch-black levels and zero traceable noise. The wintry landscapes lean towards desaturated hues — predominantly pale blues and greys — contrasting effectively against other elements for a balanced visual palette. Flashback sequences introduce a different aesthetic, utilizing yellow hues and intentional grain to evoke a sense of faded memories. This added texture enriches the narrative depth and aligns seamlessly with critical observations, such as those from Bilge Ebiri of The Village Voice, who appreciated the nostalgic grainy portrayal of young Cal and his father. Overall, this Blu-ray is an engaging visual treat that preserves the director’s intent and enhances viewer immersion.

"Walking Out" offers impressive audio presentation options, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track at 2649 kbps and 24-bit depth, as well as a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo alternative at 1696 kbps and 24-bit depth. The 5.1 Surround track is the standout, providing clear and crisp dialogue throughout. Environmental sounds such as wind and nature are captured effectively by both front and surround channels, creating an immersive experience. Rifle shots demonstrate exceptional depth, reverberating with a profound resonance through the speakers. Additionally, the intricate film score by composer Ernst Reijseger, characterized by aching cello strains, pizzicato strings, piano, and percussion tubes, is delivered with pristine audio fidelity, making each note sharp and clear.

Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles are conveniently accessible through the menu or via remote control. While the lossless 5.1 Surround track excels in delivering a robust and engaging auditory experience, the inclusion of a downsampled stereo option feels redundant. Allocating those resources to further enhance the principal soundtrack with a higher bitrate could serve to optimize the overall audio quality even further.

The Blu Ray extras for "Walking Out" offer an impressive array of supplementary content that provides deeper insight into the film's production and narrative. Notably, the inclusion of deleted scenes significantly enriches the narrative, offering extended and omitted segments that could have further developed character relationships. The making-of featurette, although brief, includes interviews with key cast and crew members, delivering an engaging behind-the-scenes look. The official theatrical trailer is also part of the package, alongside preview trailers of other movies. However, it's worth noting that the previews are not accessible from the main menu but play automatically upon disc startup.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Walking Out: Extended trailer with interviews.
• Deleted Scenes: Alternate/extended and omitted scenes.
• Trailer: IFC Films' official trailer.
• Previews: Trailers for other films, non-accessible from the menu.

Alex and Andrew Smith’s third feature film, "Walking Out," successfully adapts David Quammen's revered 1980 short story, capturing its deep exploration of father-son dynamics against the expansive Montana wilderness. Primarily a two-character drama, the film follows fourteen-year-old David (Josh Wiggins) and his father Cal (Matt Bomer). They venture into the snowy mountains on a moose-hunting expedition, striving to bridge their strained relationship. The narrative transitions from a methodical character study to a gripping survival tale when a bear encounter results in an accidental shooting, leaving Cal gravely wounded. David, forced to mature rapidly, must navigate the wilderness to save his father.

The Smiths maintain the original story’s slow, deliberate pacing, emphasizing the emotional chasm between David and Cal. Their fraught interactions, laced with David’s teenage resentment and Cal’s rugged exterior, reveal the struggle of reconnection. Flashbacks featuring Cal's own father (Bill Pullman) add layers to the narrative, illustrating generational bonds and lessons in patience and caution. Despite minimal action and dialogue in the first half, Todd McMullen’s cinematography gloriously showcases the austere beauty of the Montana landscape, keeping viewers engaged.

Wiggins and Bomer deliver compelling performances that anchor the film. Their on-screen chemistry is nuanced, handling the complexity of emotional restraint and eventual reconciliation adeptly. However, the film could benefit from heightened tension during the survival sequences and a tighter edit to enhance pacing. Despite these minor criticisms, "Walking Out" remains a poignant and visually stunning adaptation that resonates with the themes of familial connection, loss, and resilience. The Smiths’ knack for capturing natural beauty and raw emotion makes this film a commendable homage to Quammen's classic story.

Rated PG-13 for bloody injury images, some thematic elements, and brief strong language.

"Walking Out" emerges as a poignant exploration of human relationships and survival, underscored by exceptional performances. The collaboration between the directors, Alex and Andrew Smith, and writer David Quammen translates a compelling short story into a gripping cinematic experience. The film showcases young actor Josh Wiggins’ impressive range, further solidifying his reputation as a talent to watch. Alongside veteran actors Matt Bomer and Bill Pullman, the cast brings a depth of emotion that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The film's culmination, marked by an unexpected twist, adds significant depth to the narrative.

The technical aspects of Shout Factory’s Blu-ray release are outstanding. The visual presentation maintains the film's original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, capturing the expansive and beautifully shot Montana wilderness with stunning clarity. The high-definition transfer is pristine, with no noticeable flaws, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 audio tracks provide a rich soundscape, with clear dialogue and ambient sounds that enhance the film’s atmospheric tension. However, the Blu-ray edition's lack of substantial extras, beyond a few deleted scenes and a brief making-of featurette, is a notable omission and leaves room for improvement in offering fans more behind-the-scenes insights.

In conclusion, "Walking Out" may not be flawless, but its emotional resonance and striking visuals make it a noteworthy drama. The film’s gradual pacing allows viewers to invest deeply in the characters' journey, culminating in a powerful and impactful ending. Despite the sparse special features on the Blu-ray release, the exceptional audio-visual quality makes this Shout Factory edition worthwhile for any collection. A recommended watch for fans of survival dramas and compelling storytelling.