Beyond the Wasteland Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Beyond the Reach," offered by Lionsgate Films, boasts a stunning 1080p AVC encoded transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The film’s cinematography, executed by Academy Award-winner Russell Carpenter using the Arri Alexa with retro lenses, captures both gritty close-ups and expansive desert vistas with exceptional detail and depth. The visual storytelling alternates between wide-open scenes with incredible depth of field and intimate close-ups, where every texture is meticulously rendered. Color grading is minimal and effectively enhances the narrative without obscuring fine details, maintaining sharpness and clarity throughout the bright outdoor sequences that dominate the film.

The color palette in "Beyond the Reach" is impressively lifelike. Desert vistas are rendered with stunning precision, and the effects makeup shines through vividly, showcasing Ben's gradual transformation under the relentless sun. The film's broad daylight settings are particularly noteworthy for their three-dimensional pop, despite the inherent brightness and natural lighting utilized extensively. While some night scenes display slight crush and flattening, the overall presentation remains robust, characterized by deep, inky blacks free from compression artifacts.

Clarity and detail are impeccable, with no noticeable boosting, aliasing, or other visual anomalies. The natural lighting setup casts a warm hue, contributing to the film's immersive aesthetic. Flesh tones appear natural, enhancing realism, particularly as Ben’s skin progressively reddens and blisters under the harsh sun. The presentation successfully avoids noise and artifacts, except for a minor dusting during one mineshaft scene. The high-definition transfer ensures that every frame — from scenic wide shots to intricate close-ups — maintains remarkable fidelity and authenticity, making this Blu-ray presentation a visual treat.

The audio presentation of "Beyond the Reach" on Blu-Ray stands out with a highly effective and thoughtfully constructed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. This mix excels in creating an immersive environment through subtle, yet impactful ambient sounds that place the viewer directly into the expansive setting of the film. The dialogue is meticulously balanced, ensuring crystal-clear clarity even amidst the varied and sometimes sparse verbal exchanges of the characters. Dickon Hinchcliffe’s minimalist score is well-integrated into the surround channels, enhancing the immersive experience without overshadowing other elements.

A notable strength of this track is its dynamic range, which remains robust throughout both quiet, atmospheric scenes and more action-driven moments. The gunfire and engine roars of the formidable Mercedes 6×6 are particularly well-executed, demonstrating impressive low-frequency extension without any distortion. The surround sound field is equally commendable, delivering seamless panning effects and an engaging sense of spatial depth. These elements combine to provide an almost tangible echo effect within canyons and tight indoor settings, ensuring that every footfall and movement resonates authentically.

Overall, the audio dynamics reinforce the thematic intentions of the film, transitioning effortlessly between calm ambiance and visceral intensity. The balance of background atmosphere and crisp dialogue reproduction further showcases the technical excellence of this Blu-Ray presentation. For a seemingly quiet thriller, "Beyond the Reach" offers a surprisingly powerful and nuanced audio experience that beautifully complements its visual storytelling.

The Blu-ray extras for "Beyond the Reach" are concise yet informative, providing valuable insights into the film's production. The Audio Commentary by Michael Douglas, Robert Mitas, and Jean-Baptiste Leonetti delves into the shooting process, notably focusing on cinematography techniques and lens choices, though there are noticeable silent gaps from Douglas. The Making of Beyond the Reach featurette offers a classic behind-the-scenes look with interviews from the cast and crew, shedding light on the film’s influences and production nuances. Lastly, the Six Wheeling: Inside and Outside the Ultimate Ride featurette doubles as an extended promotional piece for the prominent Mercedes SUV, indicating a potential symbiotic relationship between the film and the vehicle's marketing.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussions on production with intermittent participation gaps.
• The Making of Beyond the Reach: Behind-the-scenes interviews and production insights.
• Six Wheeling: Inside and Outside the Ultimate Ride: Promotional focus on the Mercedes SUV featured in the film.

"Beyond the Reach" is a thriller centered on John Madec (Michael Douglas), a ruthless entrepreneur, and his hunting guide Ben (Jeremy Irvine). Douglas delivers a chilling performance reminiscent of his iconic role as Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street," embracing a reptilian edge that keeps this otherwise predictable narrative afloat. While Madec exudes corporate malevolence, the plot features a lackluster backstory involving Ben's relationship with his girlfriend Laina (Hanna Mangan-Lawrence), which detracts rather than contributes to the overall tension. The film's ultimate downfall, however, is its implausible and unsatisfying ending, which pivots into a futile attempt at making an otherwise serious film end with ludicrous final twists.

The plot borrows heavily from familiar tropes like "The Most Dangerous Game," pitting human hunter against human prey in a deadly chase through the New Mexican desert. Initial interactions between the seasoned Madec and young Ben are laced with unease, only to escalate dramatically after Madec inadvertently kills a prospector named Charlie. Despite attempts to bribe Ben into silence, a psychopathic transformation ensues when Ben refuses, leading Madec to strip Ben and force him into the wilderness, weapon in hand. This setup—though rooted in psychological manipulation—fails to extend credibility, ultimately strained by needless plot devices and unconvincing character arcs.

While the film maintains tension during its middle act through sequences of cat-and-mouse suspense, it's hampered by some foreseen twists and a monotonous progression. The cinematography vividly captures the unforgiving desert landscape, but it cannot wholly compensate for predictably thin storytelling. Despite strong performances from Douglas and Irvine, the overall film loses momentum quickly and never truly recovers, culminating in an absurd finale that undermines the preceding drama. The result is an ambitious yet flawed piece that struggles under the weight of its own contrivances.

"Beyond the Reach" on Blu-ray offers a rather mixed cinematic experience but compensates with impressive technical aspects. Michael Douglas delivers an engaging performance as a ruthless financier, while Jeremy Irvine holds his own as the young, tormented protagonist. The initial setup of the film is promising; however, it progressively stumbles into clichéd and illogical territory. The concluding moments, particularly, verge on the absurd, tipping the narrative into self-parody.

Despite its narrative flaws, the Blu-ray transfer excels in audio-visual quality. The picture clarity and sound design are commendable, making the production values appear higher than its budget might suggest. The supplemental features, including a session with Michael Douglas and a featurette on the unique 6X6 vehicle, add worthwhile value to the disc. These extras enhance the overall viewing experience and provide intriguing insights into the film's production elements.

In conclusion, "Beyond the Reach" is a problematic film that manages to entertain due to Douglas's performance and high production values. The technical merits of the Blu-ray are top-notch, with exceptional A/V quality and solid extras. While it may not be a masterpiece, it is certainly worth a rental for Douglas fans and those intrigued by behind-the-scenes content.