Money Monster Blu-ray Review

"Money Monster" on Blu-ray delivers an impressive visual presentation that emphasizes clarity and textural refinement. The 1080P/MPEG-4 AVC encode provides a crisp image with resolute lines and well-defined details. From the very first overhead shot of George Clooney, the film showcases superlative detail work, allowing viewers to discern individual hairs and facial wrinkles with remarkable sharpness. The dimensionality is outstanding, particularly on the set of the titular show, where the abundance of screens, cameras, and props contribute to a near-infinite visual perspective. The color palette is primarily neutral, save for some occasional highlights of red, offering a tonally balanced and natural appearance. Flesh tones are light and fitting for the setting, while contrast remains stable, delivering respectable blacks and gradational detail.

The transfer offers an honest representation of the digitally photographed movie, maintaining solid contrast and true-to-life colors without any artificial boosts. Textures—whether on skin, clothing, or studio sets—exhibit sufficient detail, even if they lack the nuanced depth seen in the very best presentations. The clean picture quality is free of noticeable source or compression artifacts, ensuring a pleasant viewing experience. The only minor downside occurs in dimly lit environments such as the control room scenes, where the overall sharpness and depth can diminish slightly. Nevertheless, "Money Monster" remains a fine example of what a high-quality Blu-ray transfer can achieve, offering a detailed and authentic visual experience that will satisfy any home viewer.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track of "Money Monster" is serviceable, offering a clear and robust auditory experience primarily grounded in dialogue. Although it lacks the dramatic dynamic range or extensive surround activity found in more action-oriented films, the mix provides well-defined tonal characteristics and a prominent soundstage position. Dialogue is rendered with superior clarity and depth, making it easy to follow the tension-ridden exchanges between characters. High-level detail is evident, with subtle sound effects and music woven seamlessly into the front-heavy mix. The studio scenes benefit from atmospheric presence and discernible low-level details adding to the film's intensity.

While not spectacular, the audio track does a solid job of capturing the essence of the film’s setting, particularly through effective use of spatial cues. Ambient sounds such as crowd chatter, city street noise, and occasional gunshots add to the realism without overshadowing the central dialogue. Music finds good clarity, enhancing key moments and providing an enjoyable spread across the front channels with occasional trickle into the surrounds. LFE (Low Frequency Effects) are used sparingly yet effectively, adding impact to pivotal scenes without overwhelming the overall soundscape.

In summary, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 presentation is well-suited to "Money Monster's" primarily dialogue-driven narrative. While it doesn’t push the boundaries of home theater audio, it delivers a balanced and immersive sound experience that supports the film comfortably. The track is clear, precise, and steps up when needed, making it a fitting companion to this intense thriller.

The Blu-ray of "Money Monster" offers a variety of enriching extras that are both insightful and engaging. Highlighted by several high-definition featurettes, the disc provides a well-rounded behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. The deleted scenes are sparse and add minimal value to the overall narrative, while the music video by Dan the Automator offers a fun, creative touch. The featurette "George Clooney: The Money Man" gives a deep dive into Clooney's approach to his character, providing context to his performance. "Inside the Pressure Cooker" focuses on the film's thrilling moments and its technical aspects, underscoring Jodie Foster's directorial prowess. Finally, "Analysis of a Scene: The Showdown" offers valuable perspectives from the cast and crew on the film's climactic moments, focusing on character motivations rather than technical details.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Three brief scenes.
• George Clooney: The Money Man: Insight into Clooney's character and contributions.
• Inside the Pressure Cooker: Examination of dramatic moments and technical construction.
• Analysis of a Scene: The Showdown: Dissection of the film's final showdown.
• Dan the Automator What Makes the World Go 'Round (MONEY) Music Video: Creative music video.
• Digital HD Copy: A code for digital access.

"Money Monster," directed by Jodie Foster and starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, explores the high-stakes fallout of financial corruption in a taut, confined thriller. The narrative centers on Lee Gates, a flamboyant financial TV host, and his resourceful director Patty Fenn, who find themselves in an explosive situation when an aggrieved investor named Kyle Budwell, played by Jack O’Connell, takes over their live broadcast. Kyle’s grievances stem from massive financial losses attributed to a so-called glitch in a company’s trading algorithm, a scenario that sets off a fast-paced unraveling of deeper systemic manipulations.

The film delves into the themes of conspiracy and misconduct within the digital economy, echoing the skepticism that nothing happens without hidden machinations behind the scenes. Foster's direction injects urgency and tension as it portrays society’s manipulation by those at the top, reminding viewers of the cascading effects these unseen forces have on everyday lives. The script attempts to balance incisive societal critique with mainstream thrill elements, though it occasionally teeters. It brings to light the cynical realities of financial markets but sometimes does so with heavy-handedness. Despite these issues, it remains a compelling watch due to its timely subject matter and strong performances.

Clooney and O’Connell are standout performers, embodying the friction between an arrogant, market-savvy TV persona and a regular man pushed to desperation. Clooney’s portrayal is invigorating, breaking his recent trend of more subdued roles, while O’Connell convincingly represents everyman fury and frustration. Julia Roberts excels as the steadfast director, anchoring the narrative with a calm yet forceful presence. Together, their dynamic drives the film’s most gripping scenes. Overall, while "Money Monster" may not fully capitalize on its potential to provoke deeper reflection, it delivers enough tension and critical insight to engage its audience thoroughly.

"Money Monster" is a competently made thriller that engages audiences with its strong performances and pertinent themes. Directed by Jodie Foster and featuring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jack O'Connell, the film manages to maintain tension and deliver heartfelt performances, particularly during the scenes set within the Money Monster TV show. Clooney and Roberts exhibit powerful chemistry, while O'Connell evokes sympathy with a deeply human portrayal of financial desperation. However, the narrative takes a hit with an extraneous subplot that, at times, shifts the focus away from the core drama—a distraction that detracts from the film's overall impact.

From a technical standpoint, Sony’s Blu-ray release of "Money Monster" is exemplary. The video quality is sharp and detailed, providing a satisfying visual experience that does justice to the film’s cinematography. The audio track is robust, with clear dialogue and an immersive surround sound mix that enhances the thriller’s tense moments. The disc features a modest selection of extras, offering some insights into the film's production without overwhelming the viewer. The transfer quality is top-notch, ensuring that both the visual and auditory aspects remain impactful.

In conclusion, while "Money Monster" doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential to provoke deep thought or societal change, it remains an entertaining watch with excellent performances from a star-studded cast. The Blu-ray release is technically solid, making it a worthwhile purchase for home viewing. Even with its narrative missteps, "Money Monster" offers enough thrills and quality to merit a recommendation.