Charlie St. Cloud Blu-ray Review

Universal's 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer of "Charlie St. Cloud" presents visually pleasing imagery, though it does fall short of being exemplary or reference material. The encode boasts warm and evocative colors with commendable black levels and consistent contrast. Skin tones are generally accurate, offering lifelike representation. The level of detail is impressive overall, with close-ups displaying finely resolved textures that heighten the visual experience. However, the transfer is marred by some inherent inconsistencies, such as a subtle but noticeable softness evident in wider shots, which detracts slightly from the overall crispness.

While the presentation upholds a filmic quality and avoids significant artifacts like aliasing, smearing, or banding, there are some persisting issues. Softness in certain scenes may grow into a distraction over time, and the clarity of shadow details suffers during especially dark and murky moments. Although some sequences exhibit sharp object definition, occasional minor ringing appears. Despite these drawbacks, the lack of post-processing tampering ensures an honest representation of the film’s original visual aesthetic.

In summary, though "Charlie St. Cloud" on Blu-ray may not provide a benchmark visual experience, it remains a solid effort from Universal. Artifacts are minimal, the grain structure is preserved, and clean edges help enhance finer details in hair and fabric. The overall visual integrity makes it a pleasing yet not astonishingly brilliant transfer for videophiles.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for "Charlie St. Cloud" delivers an immersive audio experience that masterfully captures the film's sound design. Universal's lossless mix excels at enveloping listeners in the natural ambiance of serene forests and distant seas, complemented by dynamic effects like crashing waves and howling storms. Rear speaker activity is both convincing and surprisingly aggressive, particularly for a romantic drama, enhancing the authenticity of the soundscape. Ambient sounds are prevalent and add depth to the listening experience, while low-frequency effects (LFE) provide a commanding yet restrained presence, giving palpable weight to scenes involving ocean waves and a car wreck. Dialogue remains clean and perfectly prioritized throughout, ensuring clarity and precision in directionality.

Despite these strengths, the audio track has notable flaws, primarily its excessive loudness during key sequences, particularly the film's opening. This results in an overwhelming auditory experience where elements sometimes drown each other out, creating white noise that detracts from the intended impact. While the frequent rear activity and ambient sounds are commendable, there are moments when the mix suffers from indiscernible noise. Localization of sounds could be better utilized to enhance immersion further. Bass levels primarily accentuate the music to mitigate smaller noises but are not too active otherwise. Adjusting volume is tricky; playing it at a standard level can lead to an assault of sound, while lowering it risks missing crucial dialogue.

Overall, while the audio track contains impressive elements that showcase its potential, the aggressive loudness and occasional indistinct noise detract from an otherwise immersive experience.

The Blu-ray of "Charlie St. Cloud" offers an array of special features, though the overall package feels lackluster and somewhat routine. While the content is comprehensive, it doesn't significantly enhance the viewing experience for fans. The director's commentary, led by Burr Steers, is largely uninspired, often meandering through technical details with a distinctly lethargic tone. Featurettes such as "On Location with Zac Efron" and "Zac Efron, Leading Man" aim to delve into the film's production and Efron's acting journey but fall short of captivating. Similarly, "The In-Between World" explores the film's supernatural themes with an almost condescending tone toward the audience. The Blu-ray also includes seven deleted scenes that, while offering additional context, don't add much value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Burr Steers provides a lethargic commentary focusing on technical aspects.
• On Location with Zac Efron: Cast and crew discuss sailing scenes, development, and on-set chemistry.
• Zac Efron, Leading Man: Charts Efron's evolution as an actor.
• The In-Between World: Behind-the-scenes look at supernatural elements.
• Deleted Scenes: Seven scenes with optional commentary.
• Bonus Film: Access to a free streaming movie via BD-Live (What Dreams May Come or Lorenzo's Oil).
• BD-Live Functionality and News Ticker
• My Scenes Bookmarking
• PocketBlu Interactive Features

Based on Ben Sherwood's 2004 novel, 'The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud,' Burr Steers’ adaptation offers a poignant narrative merged with supernatural elements. The film explores the tragic tale of Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron), a high school prodigy whose promising future is shattered by a car accident that kills his younger brother, Sam (Charlie Tahan). Left with the ability to see the dead, Charlie forgoes a full scholarship to Stanford and confines himself to a cemetery job, where he plays catch with Sam’s spirit every evening. The plot thickens when an old classmate, Tess (Amanda Crew), rekindles Charlie’s interest in the living world, challenging his reluctance to move on from the past.

Although Efron delivers a commendable performance, working valiantly to instill depth in his character, 'Charlie St. Cloud' suffers from an overabundance of melodrama and predictable narrative arcs. Despite its earnest intentions, the film struggles to distinguish itself within its genre, weighed down by contrived plot points and supernatural clichés. Critical reception has been lukewarm, with some appreciating the emotional narrative while others criticize its manipulation and trite romantic subplot. Efron shares little chemistry with Crew, and despite notable appearances by Kim Basinger and Ray Liotta, their roles lack substantial impact.

Despite its flaws, the film manages to offer a thought-provoking look at grief and the human condition, particularly through Charlie’s struggles with letting go. The relationship between Charlie and Sam adds a touching layer to the story, making it resonate with those willing to overlook its shortcomings. In essence, 'Charlie St. Cloud' provides a tale rich in sentiment but limited by its reliance on genre-standard tropes and predictable twists. If anything, it showcases Efron’s potential as a dramatic actor amidst a milieu of mediocre elements.

The Blu-ray release of 'Charlie St. Cloud' delivers a mixed bag in terms of overall quality. The film itself, directed by Burr Steers, has polarized audiences and critics alike, often receiving underwhelming reviews. However, Zac Efron's performance stands out as arguably one of his best to date, adding emotional depth to this romantic tear-jerker. The video transfer on this Blu-ray is commendable, offering clear and vibrant HD visuals that bring out the picturesque settings and emotional expressions effectively.

In terms of audio quality, the disc offers an exceptional DTS-HD Master Audio track that immerses viewers in the movie’s rich soundscape, although some reviewers found certain audio choices unappealing. The supplemental package leaves much to be desired, being rather lackluster with its average array of extras. It does include the usual features such as deleted scenes and commentary, but nothing particularly noteworthy or engaging. The inclusion of some frustrating features was also a downside pointed out by several users.

Chances are you already know if 'Charlie St. Cloud' is the sort of film you (or your significant other) will enjoy. Trust me, it's exactly what you think it is. Universal's Blu-ray release of Steer's romantic tear-jerker is far better, so long as you're willing to look past its lackluster supplemental package. I'd still recommend renting 'Charlie St. Cloud' long before you consider a blind buy, but its video transfer and exceptional DTS-HD Master Audio track will please anyone and everyone, regardless of whether they reach for a box of tissues or reach for the remote.