Chain Lightning Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "Chain Lightning" delivers an exceptional 1080p transfer that reflects precision and high-quality restoration work, even in the absence of specific restoration details. Utilizing first-generation nitrate elements, the video presentation showcases stunning clarity and texture. Outdoor scenes appear particularly vivid, while indoor sequences maintain substantial detail and depth, bringing period-specific elements such as clothing and furniture into sharp focus. The nitrate film grain is meticulously preserved, lending an authentic vintage feel without succumbing to distracting dirt or debris, although a few minor issues, like source-related patchy black dissolves, are present but forgivable.

Presented in a faithful 1.37:1 aspect ratio with AVC codec encoding, the film's sharpness impresses throughout, except in glamour close-ups. The grayscale is masterfully handled, achieving rich blacks and crisp whites, ensuring contrast levels are expertly balanced to maintain a nearly pristine image quality. The MPEG-4 AVC encoding contributes to the strong clarity and detail retention, aiding in a smooth, cinematic motion without distortion.

The depth of field is noteworthy, providing substantial separation and enhancing spatial perception despite occasional rear-projection nuances. Blacks maintain natural depth without crushing the details, effectively preserving patterns and textures across darker scenes. The transfer leaves no trace of compression artifacts or banding, barring minimal occurrences on specific gradients like metallic surfaces. Overall, this Blu-ray release sets a new benchmark for "Chain Lightning" in home video formats, with an outstanding display that rivals its historical theatrical presentations.

The Blu-ray release of "Chain Lightning" offers a commendable DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio presentation that immerses the audience in its soundscape. The audio mix provides an impressive level of clarity and fidelity typical of its era, with no discernible hiss, pops, or distortion. The dynamic range gracefully navigates the shifts from high-altitude thrills to intimate romantic moments, while maintaining an even soundstage balance. Composer David Buttolph's score is seamlessly integrated, enhancing the emotional depth without overshadowing dialogue or sound effects.

The sound mix is robust, exhibiting a clear adherence to the film's original audio dynamics. The vocals are reproduced with precision, offering clear and crisp dialogue that aligns well with both background scores and sound effects. Despite the mono configuration, the audio delivers a solid impact, thanks to well-layered sound effects that introduce a surprising depth to the aural experience. This attention to detail ensures viewers remain engaged throughout, without any noticeable sync issues.

An inclusion worth noting is the optional English (SDH) subtitles available for the main feature, although they are curiously absent from the supplementary material. This omission might stir some dissatisfaction among audiences, especially considering that such features were present in earlier DVD editions sourced by Warner Archive. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall high-quality audio experience of "Chain Lightning," which stands as a testament to meticulous audio restoration efforts.

The Blu Ray extras for "Chain Lightning" offer a nostalgic dive into classic entertainment. The package includes charming vintage shorts and a lively theatrical trailer, presented with varying levels of restoration. The Looney Tunes Short: Bear Feat stands out as colorful and clean, showcasing the Bear family's circus antics in a restored lossless 2.0 mono audio format. The Joe McDoakes Short: So You Want to Be an Actor provides humorous commentary on Hollywood aspirations, albeit through visibly upscaled SD visuals with noticeable digital combing. The Theatrical Trailer offers a vibrant and spirited glimpse into the film's original promotions.

Extras included in this disc:

• Looney Tunes Short: Bear Feat: A classic 1949 Chuck Jones cartoon with Bear family circus training.
• Joe McDoakes Short: So You Want to Be an Actor: Richard L. Bare-directed short about an aspiring actor.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional vintage trailer.

Chain Lightning, directed by Stuart Heisler, stars Humphrey Bogart as the ambitious test pilot Matt Brennan. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II aviation advancements, the film attempts to blend romance and adventure through its exploration of jet piloting with the experimental JA-3 aircraft. The narrative largely orbits around Brennan's audacious mission to pilot the JA-3 from Nome to Washington D.C. across the North Pole, showcasing impressive visual effects, including notable miniature work. However, the lukewarm romantic subplot featuring Brennan's rekindled relationship with nurse Jo Holloway, played by Eleanor Parker, fails to deliver the emotional depth and originality necessary to elevate the film beyond its surface-level intrigue.

The screenplay by Liam O’Brien and Vincent B. Evans misses the mark in balancing these intertwined storylines. While the jet aviation sequences provide genuine thrills, such as grappling with engineering challenges and unpredictable weather, the romantic elements seem shoehorned in, reminiscent of a diluted version of Bogart’s earlier works like Casablanca. The film struggles with cohesion, presenting a love triangle that lacks tension and often comes across as forcefully inserted into a plot more inclined towards showcasing technical aviation feats.

Despite these shortcomings, Humphrey Bogart's magnetic performance injects considerable charm into an otherwise unevenly paced film. Supported by respectable performances from a solid cast including Richard Whorf and Raymond Massey, Chain Lightning remains watchable largely due to Bogart's presence. The Blu-ray release from Warner Archive does justice to the film’s strong points, such as its action sequences and effective period-specific effects. Ultimately, Chain Lightning serves as an engaging portrayal of early jet experimentation couched within a less compelling romantic framework.

"Chain Lightning," directed by Stuart Heisler, presents itself as a postwar aviation saga with notable special effects and the charismatic presence of Humphrey Bogart. The film, despite an underdeveloped romantic subplot, showcases enough dramatic flair and expertise in its aviation sequences to maintain viewer interest. This modestly entertaining narrative is aptly supported by Warner Archive's Blu-ray release that enhances the viewing experience through a sharp 1080p transfer and effective lossless audio, staying true to the retro essence of the film while upgrading it for modern audiences.

The collection does justice to the film's visual and auditory elements, bringing the aviation sequences to life with great clarity. While the narrative might stretch thin over its 94 minutes, the addition of era-specific extras, including a vintage cartoon and cinema reel, enriches the package and provides additional context for cinema enthusiasts. These inclusions make the Blu-ray a worthwhile pick for those with an appreciation for classic cinema or an admiration for Bogart's extensive work.

In conclusion, while "Chain Lightning" may not offer a seamless or groundbreaking story, its strength lies in its technical prowess and the heritage of its lead actor. Recommended primarily for avid fans of Humphrey Bogart and aviation film aficionados, this Blu-ray serves as a nostalgic piece of entertainment. For others less familiar with this genre, it might be beneficial to sample it first before purchasing. Warner Archive has effectively preserved a slice of cinematic history, making this a recommended addition for collectors.