The Family Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Family" on Blu-ray, rendered in a robust 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer and showcased in the film's original 2.39:1 widescreen aspect ratio, delivers an impressively detailed and visually appealing experience. Cinematography, handled by Thierry Arbogast in collaboration with director Luc Besson, stands out through its fine detail and texture, clearly evident in close-ups where every strand in De Niro's beard to the finely woven apparel is discernible. The color palette is broad and vibrant, employing a mix of rich amber tones and a sepia aesthetic that complements the film's thematic nuances, mainly leaning on autumn colors like browns, beiges, and reds. However, it's accompanied by a sporadic inconsistency in visual detail that occasionally detracts from the otherwise impeccable clarity.

Despite these brief moments of variability, the overall presentation maintains strong and consistent black levels, crucial for the film's numerous low-light and interior scenes which are remarkably clear without losing out on shadow detail. Attention to skin textures and clothing weaves further elevates the high-definition experience, making it practically demo standard, albeit not flawless due to minor aliasing issues observed in certain textures like corduroy and occasional overuse of filters that marginally affect color vibrancy. Additionally, the digital filmmaking process appears seamlessly integrated with traditional methods, avoiding any disruption in the visual flow of the movie.

The technical execution of "The Family" Blu-ray ensures a visually satisfying experience that largely compensates for its few inconsistencies. The AVC encoded presentation benefits from spot-on contrast levels, delineated blacks, and a clean transfer free from compression errors or video anomalies, affirming it as a worthy addition for enthusiasts seeking a near-perfect integration of cinematic aesthetics with Blu-ray technology.

"The Family" Blu-ray audio experience is presented through an exceptional DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, shining in its delivery of sonic intricacies and explosive dynamism. The mix excels at enveloping the listener in a visceral soundscape, where every explosive action, from gunshots to grander pyrotechnics, is rendered with startling clarity and directionality, providing an immersive auditory experience. Such precision in the sound stage amplifies the film’s action sequences, making them stand out as particularly impactful. Despite the high octane moments, dialogue remains crystal clear, predominantly anchored across the frontal and center channels, ensuring that every spoken word, whether in French or English, is intelligible against the bustling backdrop of effects and music.

The score, a playful yet inconsistent homage to both French eccentricities and American mobster motifs, permeates the soundscape without dominating it. Though it strives for a whimsical blend of cultural tones, it sometimes falls short in its attempt to dynamically engage with the film's varied thematic elements. The music, while present across all channels, lacks a certain depth that would have elevated the atmospheric immersion, especially in scenes that begged for more nuanced environmental sounds. This inconsistency in ambient effects, notably in quieter or more mundane settings such as school scenes or the BBQ sequence, slightly detracts from the overall audio presentation's potential to consistently captivate.

Nevertheless, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix of "The Family" Blu-ray largely succeeds in crafting an engaging auditory experience. It skillfully balances high-intensity sequences with clear dialogue and a uniquely styled score. The mix's dedication to prioritizing sound elements ensures an aural clarity that complements the film's visual presentation. However, the missed opportunities for creating a richer environmental soundscape slightly mar an otherwise dynamic and detailed audio performance.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Family" offer a mix of behind-the-scenes insights and entertainment, although leaning towards the promotional side. The standout feature, the Making of The Family, while edging towards customary electronic press kit (EPK) material, does provide noteworthy interviews with director Luc Besson and star Robert De Niro. These interviews are relatively rare and offer a genuine glimpse into the film's production. Another extra, The Many Meanings of Fu*%!, is brief but amusing, showcasing the varied use of the F-bomb within the film, indicative of the family's mobster lifestyle. Additional extras include a standard theatrical trailer and sneak peeks of other titles, albeit these are more generic in nature. There's also a bonus DVD and an Ultraviolet Digital Copy included for those interested in digital formats.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making The Family: A behind-the-scenes look featuring interviews with Luc Besson and Robert De Niro.
• *The Many Meanings of Fu%!**: A compilation highlighting the film's creative use of swear words.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer for "The Family".
• Sneak Peek: Trailers for 'Runner Runner', 'The Counselor', 'Graceland: Season One', and 'The Americans: Season One'.
• Bonus DVD: Additional content in DVD format.
• Ultraviolet Digital Copy: A digital copy of the film for Ultraviolet platforms.

"The Family," helmed by Luc Besson and starring the formidable trio of Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Tommy Lee Jones, brings a unique fusion of gangster charm and awkward, dark humor to the picturesque setting of Normandy, France. The film attempts to tread the fine line between violence-infused dark comedy and a tale of witness protection gone haywire. The narrative centers around the Manzoni family, rechristened as the Blakes, who struggle to shed their Mafia-tinted spectacles to adapt to a quiet life in rural France, a setup that oscillates between genuine attempts at new beginnings and gravitating back to their innate violent proclivities. Despite the lush backdrop and a premise ripe with potential, the execution wavers, struggling to find a consistent tone—veering unpredictably from slapstick to somber with an undercurrent of unbalanced pacing.

Besson's direction—once celebrated for its sleek narrative efficiency and stylistic flair—appears to falter, failing to seamlessly integrate the familial dysfunction with the film’s comedic aspirations. The screenplay, jointly crafted by Besson and Michael Caleo, introduces subplots that, while intended to add depth, often distract and detract from the core storyline. Characters are initially rich with potential; De Niro's Fred Blake (Giovanni Manzoni), a gangster-cum-aspiring writer, Maggie's frayed nerves turned volatile outbursts, and their children's schoolyard conquests showcase a family dynamic that is both entertaining and reflective of deeper issues. However, these elements rarely coalesce into a cohesive narrative, instead presenting missed opportunities for both character development and storytelling.

Technical aspects of the film reflect a blend of competence and ambition, with intermittent sequences that display Besson’s knack for crafting gripping set pieces—most notably in the climactic confrontation that harks back to his more assured directorial ventures. Yet, this interlude of excitement punctuates what is essentially a meandering plot laced with comedic elements that too often miss their mark. The soundtrack, an occasionally quirky companion, fails to lift the film out of its tonal inconsistencies, leaving "The Family" as an ensemble piece that, despite its stellar cast and promising premise, ultimately struggles to reconcile its identity as either a compelling crime saga or a darkly comedic farce.

"The Family," which attempts to merge the mobster genre with comedy, unfortunately misses its mark on both fronts. Despite the efforts of a distinguished cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, and Tommy Lee Jones, the film's attempt at humor falls flat, and the integration of crime elements seems out of place, creating a disjointed experience. These performances, although spirited, are marred by the script's inability to decide its tone, swinging wildly between a farce and a thriller without satisfyingly committing to either. This lack of direction not only underutilizes the talent of its cast but also diminishes the potential entertainment value of the film, leaving viewers with moments of enjoyment that stem more from the actors' chemistry than the narrative itself.

In terms of technical presentation, this Blu-ray release shines with excellent video and audio quality, making it a redeemable aspect of the package. The disc was reviewed on a high-caliber home theater setup, including equipment like the JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector and Oppo BDP-103D Universal Disc Player among others, ensuring an optimal viewing experience. However, the special features are scant, amounting to little more than promotional material, which might disappoint fans looking for a deeper dive into the making of the film. Despite these drawbacks, the high-quality video and audio render this Blu-ray a worthy purchase for die-hard fans or those with a particular interest in Besson's or De Niro's body of work.

In conclusion, while "The Family" Blu-ray boasts impressive technical specifications, the film itself is a mixed bag. Its failure to harmoniously blend comedic and crime elements results in a viewing experience that feels unsatisfactory and underwhelming. The standout performances from the cast do provide some redeeming moments, suggesting the film could be worth watching for fans of the actors or those intrigued by the premise. However, for those seeking a memorable addition to either the comedy or mobster genres, "The Family" may not live up to expectations, making it perhaps a rental at best.