Passion Play Blu-ray Review

"Passion Play" on Blu-ray delivers a solid, if somewhat inconsistent, 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer of its original 35mm source. The film retains its natural grain structure, with fine grain unobtrusive throughout most of the film. However, darker sequences exhibit bouts of both analog and digital compression noise, more noticeable due to the black levels often appearing deep gray rather than inky black. Despite these occasional issues, the colors remain vibrant, with carnival-like hues and consistent skin tones. Fine details are rendered well, particularly in the weathered faces of Mickey Rourke and Bill Murray, adding depth to their on-screen presence.

While the video noise and intermittent grayish blacks do detract slightly from the overall presentation, the Blu-ray remains faithful to the film's aesthetic. Sharpness and clarity are decent but fall short of demo-worthy quality, with some parts of the film appearing slightly softer. Textural detail is apparent in clothing and facial features, although Megan Fox's CGI wings fail to impress, looking particularly unconvincing in high definition. Despite these minor setbacks, the transfer avoids other common anomalies like blocking or banding, ensuring a generally smooth viewing experience.

In essence, "Passion Play" on Blu-ray offers a respectable HD experience that captures the film's visual intent without major distractions. Its vivid colors and detailed textures provide decent visual engagement even if its black level performance and sharpness don't reach top-tier levels. Technical aficionados will find it a competent but not outstanding addition to their collections.

"Passion Play" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound mix that proves adequate, though it rarely impresses. The film's audio presentation aligns with its somber, dialogue-driven nature, offering consistent clarity throughout its running time. Dialogue is clear and unhindered, although some lines by Mickey Rourke may be difficult to discern, possibly due to his distinctive speaking style. Surround channel usage is modest, supporting subtle environmental ambience such as outdoor scenes and club atmospheres. Notably, the jazz soundtrack, integral to the narrative, is delivered with taste albeit with a restrained impact.

The mix's low-end output and surround effects are generally subdued, reflecting the film’s quieter tone. The uncompressed DTS-HD MA track does its job adequately, marrying the melancholic mood of the movie with consistent playback quality. There is an absence of significant LFE moments, and ambient sounds and cross-channel pans are minimal. Despite this, the soundtrack maintains a crisp and clear dialogue experience with no audible hisses, pops, or dropouts.

Overall, the audio presentation is functional but falls short of being remarkable. While the soundtrack delivers fair depth and clarity, it lacks dynamic range and fails to fully exploit the surround capabilities typically available in high-definition audio formats. For a film centered on emotive storytelling and music, the audio mix of "Passion Play" is serviceable but offers little excitement or engagement for audiophiles.

The Blu-ray release of "Passion Play" offers a sparse array of extras, leaving much to be desired for fans and collectors who seek in-depth supplementary material. The disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer, provided in standard definition, which represents the extent of the bonus features available. While some might find value in this inclusion, it is evident that a more substantial array of content such as director’s commentary or behind-the-scenes insights would have significantly enhanced the overall package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Passion Play’s theatrical trailer in SD.
• Additional Trailers: Include trailers for Wild Cherry, Burning Palms, and The Violent Kind.

"Passion Play" proves to be a baffling thriller that fails to capitalize on its impressive cast, featuring Mickey Rourke, Bill Murray, and Megan Fox. Directed and written by Mitch Glazer, the film attempts to craft a surrealistic narrative but ends up as a confused and hollow experience. Rourke plays Nate Pool, a washed-up jazz musician entangled with a dangerous mobster named Happy Shannon (Murray). His fate becomes linked with Lily (Fox), a carnival sideshow attraction with literal wings. Despite having an Oscar-nominated actor and acclaimed cinematographer Christopher Doyle on board, the film's execution is marred by poorly conceived plotlines and uninspired performances.

The narrative blends elements reminiscent of "Carnivale" and "Wings of Desire," yet falls short of delivering the emotional and visual depth of its inspirations. The storyline, teeming with incongruent sequences like Rourke being spared by inexplicably appearing Native Americans or encountering winged Megan Fox in a desolate carnival, leaves viewers perplexed rather than intrigued. Cinematic choices such as green-screen backdrops and unconvincing CGI further diminish its artistic ambitions, resulting in a final product that feels both bizarre and lackluster.

A significant misstep is the film’s pacing, lethargically moving from one absurd scenario to another without maintaining narrative coherence or character development. Murray's performance, albeit phoned in, adds a modicum of charm, while Rourke's and Fox's overly emotive acting detracts from any potential seriousness. Glazer’s script, aiming for mystical realism, only achieves a muddied imbroglio that's neither compelling nor entertaining. Despite high aspirations and a visually pleasing façade, "Passion Play" ends up as an empty exercise, failing to resonate on either an intellectual or emotional level.

"Passion Play," released on Blu-ray, consistently garners highly critical reviews, predominantly focusing on its disjointed execution and the questionable utility of its talented cast. The ambitious attempt to craft a mystical narrative falls flat due to an overestimation of its conceptual depth and an underwhelming delivery. Mickey Rourke and Bill Murray, stars with notable gravitas, are inexcusably underutilized in roles that neither harness their full potential nor align with the film's ostensible artistic ambitions. Joseph Glazer’s direction, marked by an overzealous mimicry of David Lynch, is criticized as amateurish and misguided, steering the film into unintentional absurdity.

Technically, the Blu-ray release does possess a few redeeming qualities. The video presentation is laudable, exhibiting sharp visuals and a robust color palette that transcends the film's overall mediocrity. However, the audio mix is described as average—adequate for dialogue clarity but unremarkable in terms of atmospheric immersion or dynamic soundscapes. These technical merits, however, do little to ameliorate the film's inherent narrative and performative flaws.

In summary, "Passion Play" is widely panned for its pretentious yet ineffective storytelling and lackluster use of a prominent cast. Despite the respectable video quality offered by the Blu-ray format, the film’s core failings render it an offering best avoided. Those considering this addition to their collection are advised to reconsider, as both critical consensus and viewer testimonials deem it an unequivocal disappointment.