Fast Five Blu-ray Review

"Fast Five" delivers an electrifying visual performance on Blu-ray that maximizes the capabilities of 1080p/AVC-encoded transfers. Universal's presentation captures every detail from pores and stubble to the beads of sweat on Dwayne Johnson's neck, reflecting the intention of director Justin Lin and director of photography Stephen F. Windon. The Rio-inspired setting is brought to life with high-fidelity color reproduction, showcasing vivid sun-seared primaries, explosive reds, and nuanced earth tones. The video transfer maintains a pristine level of detail throughout, with crisp edges and remarkably fine textures, ensuring that close-ups are as impactful as a quarter-mile race.

Skintones err on the warmer side, consistent with the sun-soaked environment, while overall saturation remains spot-on and delineation sharp. Night scenes in Rio and dark warehouse sequences uphold their integrity with precise contrast and clarity, although some viewers might notice occasional flatness in blacks during certain sequences. Despite this minor shortcoming, the encoding stands out for its near-flawless execution, with no visible artifacting, banding, aliasing, smearing, or ringing. The intact and well-resolved grainfield further enhances the film’s visual authenticity, maintaining a consistent cinematic feel that fans will appreciate.

Noteworthy are the scenes portraying Rio's second unit footage, capturing the city's essence with breath-taking realism. The contrast-heavy scenes—reminiscent of Michael Bay's style—faithfully preserve the intended visual dynamic of the film. Whites burst vividly, skin tones absorb the sunlight authentically, and explosions highlight distinct colors without blending into an unsightly mix. Despite a few filmic inconsistencies native to Windon's cinematography, "Fast Five" on Blu-ray sets a high definition benchmark for the franchise, delivering an eye-popping spectacle that's hard to surpass.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track of "Fast Five" delivers an astonishing, high-octane auditory experience that leaves little to be desired. The soundstage is meticulously crafted, ensuring that every bullet, screeching tire, and atmospheric detail is reproduced with pinpoint accuracy. Dialogue remains crystal-clear, even amid the most chaotic scenes – a testament to the mix's balanced and precise engineering. The surround channels excel in immersing the listener, capturing the essence of every gunfire exchange and car chase. The LFE output is palpable, providing a chest-rattling depth that adds substantial weight to every explosion and impactful moment.

From start to finish, this audio presentation is nothing short of captivating. Fast-paced action sequences are brought to life with immaculate directionality and dynamics. Scenes such as the adrenaline-pumping vault heist exhibit flawless panning effects, making the listener feel as though they are in the midst of the chaos. Cars darting across the sound field and explosions erupting with visceral intensity elevate the viewer's sensory experience to a new level. The immersive quality is unmatched, with rear speakers enhancing the ambiance by accurately rendering sounds like rockets whizzing past and engines roaring distinctively.

In terms of sheer auditory impact, "Fast Five" is reference material. The dynamic range is impressive, adapting smoothly from dialogue-heavy moments to the frenetic energy of chases and shootouts. LFE performance is extraordinary; whether it's the hip-hop-infused soundtrack or the thunderous reverberations of on-screen mayhem, it consistently delivers an authoritative bass presence. This Blu-ray's audio track stands out as a premier choice for those seeking a demo-quality audiovisual spectacle. It effortlessly captures the essence of every action-packed frame, ensuring an enthralling auditory journey from beginning to end.

The Blu-ray extras for "Fast Five" deliver a comprehensive exploration that will excite any franchise fan. The disc offers an extensive array of special features, ranging from technical and behind-the-scenes insights to fun featurettes. Highlights include the detailed Audio Commentary by director Justin Lin, which dives into filming techniques despite long pauses, the informative 'Inside the Vault Chase,' offering a look into the engineering behind the climactic scene, and 'The Big Train Heist,' which showcases the meticulous planning of one of the film's standout sequences. Complementing these are shorter character-driven segments and additional interactive tools that enhance the viewing experience with Second Screen interactivity and U-Control Picture-in-Picture tracks, enriching fans' appreciation of the film’s production.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary with Director Justin Lin: Director Lin dissects the film.
• On Set with Director Justin Lin: A day in the life during production.
• Inside the Vault Chase: Behind the scenes of designing and executing the vault chase.
• Tyrese TV: Tyrese Gibson's fun behind-the-scenes antics.
• Featurettes: Various insights, including 'Reuniting the Team', 'A New Set of Wheels', and more.
• Second Screen: Engage interactively with a tablet or computer.
• Deleted Scenes: Brief, mostly non-essential cuts.
• Gag Reel: Light-hearted outtakes and bloopers.
• DVD Copy
• BD Live enabled
• My Scenes
• pocket BLU App
• D-BOX
• Digital Copy of Fast Five - Extended Version: Expires 03/13/2012

"Fast Five," the explosive fifth installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, shifts the narrative gears from its street-racing roots to an adrenaline-fueled heist thriller set against the vivid backdrop of Rio de Janeiro. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reprise their roles as fugitive Dom Toretto and former cop Brian O'Conner, respectively, thrusting audiences into a pulse-pounding ride filled with full-throttle car chases, high-speed heists, and audacious stunts that defy the laws of physics. Director Justin Lin masterfully balances over-the-top action sequences with moments of humor and ensemble dynamics, resulting in an engaging, if somewhat implausible, action spectacle.

One of the film's standout aspects is the introduction of Dwayne Johnson as a formidable U.S. Diplomatic Security Service agent. His presence injects new energy into the series, elevating the tension and scale of the action. The film's ensemble cast, featuring familiar faces such as Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, and Gal Gadot, seamlessly integrates into the storyline, contributing to a cohesive yet chaotic narrative. The plot revolves around a meticulously orchestrated heist targeting a ruthless drug kingpin, culminating in an unforgettable sequence where Dom and Brian drag a massive vault through the streets of Rio—a scene that epitomizes the film's disregard for plausibility in favor of sheer entertainment.

While "Fast Five" offers a thrilling escape with its non-stop action and charismatic performances, it does demand viewers suspend their disbelief significantly. The film’s extended cut stretches the runtime to 132 minutes, occasionally testing the audience's patience with extraneous subplots and over-the-top action beats. Despite these minor flaws, "Fast Five" revitalizes the franchise with a fresh direction and relentless pace, making it a must-watch for action aficionados and fans of the series. The Blu-ray release further enhances the viewing experience, though the extended edition adds minimal content beyond what was seen in theaters.

“Fast Five” delivers exhilarating, unrelenting fun, capturing the essence of high-octane action with non-stop thrills. The Blu-ray edition from Universal emboldens this adrenaline-pumping experience through extraordinary technical quality. The video transfer is immaculate, showcasing crisp and vibrant visuals that truly highlight the film’s extensive action sequences and diverse locales. Complementing the video is an impeccable DTS-HD Master Audio track that roars convincingly, placing viewers right in the heart of the spectacle. The addition of robust extras provides further depth, cementing this release as a must-have for fans of the franchise.

While “Fast Five” may dismiss many laws of physics in favor of entertainment, the film's self-aware exuberance makes it undeniably captivating. It embraces its corny, over-the-top premise with gusto, leveraging its star-studded cast to great effect. A standout feature is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s dynamic performance, which injects charismatic energy and much-needed character into the narrative. The chase scenes, particularly the vault sequence, offer hysterical yet thoroughly engaging moments that keep audiences glued to their seats.

In conclusion, “Fast Five” on Blu-ray is an exceptional package, combining thrilling entertainment with top-tier technical execution. Despite its outlandish stunts and improbable scenarios, its ability to entertain unreservedly makes it a worthy addition to any action aficionado’s collection. Whether you’re a devoted fan or a newcomer looking for a thrilling ride, this Blu-ray edition doesn’t disappoint.