Hiding Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Hiding" delivers a 1080p video transfer that presents a mixed visual experience. Anchor Bay has provided a widescreen image that, for the most part, impresses with its clarity and detail. Close-up shots are particularly notable, offering natural facial intricacies, clothing textures, and surface details around both the school and the Kellerman house. Colors range from natural greens to the school's dark red brick exterior, and from darker varsity jackets to brightly colored dresses, maintaining consistent accuracy. However, the transfer suffers from moderate-to-heavy banding in several scenes and occasional aliasing, diminishing the overall image quality.

Despite these issues, overall depth and detail are well maintained, though the photography does feel somewhat flat. Shadow delineation is mostly effective, with black levels appearing spot-on, yet certain scenes reveal noise and flecks that detract from the viewing experience. Additionally, while skin tones are generally accurate, they occasionally dip into overly pale territory. Despite these drawbacks, the video presentation remains stable throughout the majority of the film. The release might not offer astounding visual dynamics, but it holds its ground for a low-budget DTV movie. This release from Anchor Bay stands as a commendable effort despite some noticeable technical flaws.

The Blu-ray release of "Hiding" features a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack that is functional but lacks the immersive characteristics typical of high-tier audio mixes. The soundtrack's primary strength lies in its clear and crisp dialogue reproduction, centrally anchored in the front channels. However, the overall soundscape, particularly the rear speakers, offers limited ambient sound, resulting in a less engaging environmental immersion. In scenarios such as the bustling hallways of a high school or nighttime country ambience, the audio remains predominantly front-focused with minimal surround effect.

While action sequences are present, they exhibit a modest sonic presence with gunshots rendered with reasonable accuracy but devoid of substantial depth or body. The musical elements, while balanced and steady across the front, fail to evoke noticeable enthusiasm or dynamic low-end involvement. Consequently, the soundtrack's subtlety and restrained energy may suffice for talk-heavy portions of the film but do not enhance more dynamic scenes or contribute significantly to the overall atmospheric experience. In summary, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track delivers clear dialogue but falls short in creating an engaging surround sound environment.

The Blu-ray of "Hiding" offers a robust collection of extras, providing insightful behind-the-scenes details and character explorations. The supplemental features delivered in crisp 1080p HD enrich the viewing experience by delving into the making of the film and its characters. Ana Villafane's transformation from Alicia to Jo is meticulously documented, while the cast humorously navigates through a food-centric scene. A featurette on director Thomas J. Wright and cinematographer Danny Nowak highlights their achievements and artistic vision. An enigmatic recording of Carter's last will adds intrigue, and the included music video provides an auditory and visual treat, underscoring the film's emotional tone.

Extras included in this disc:

• Going Into Hiding: Tranformation of Alicia to Jo: Ana Villafane discusses her character transformation process.
• Behind the Scenes - Chuckwagon Cafe: The cast discusses the hamburger eating scene.
• Tom & Danny: Insights into the film’s director and cinematographer.
• Carter's Last Will: Deleted scene featuring Carter's last will and testament.
• Music Video: Who Am I, performed by Ana Villafane.

"Hiding" attempts to blend the genres of thriller and teen drama but falls short due to its reliance on clichéd elements and predictable narrative structure. Directed by Thomas J. Wright, the film tells the story of Jo Russo (Ana Villafañe), a high school girl placed in witness protection and relocated to the small town of Longview. While the story promises intrigue and tension, its execution feels overly familiar and lacks originality. It follows a formulaic plot filled with one-dimensional characters and uninspired dialogue.

Ana Villafañe, resembling Anne Hathaway, delivers a competent performance as Jo, but the weak script hampers her ability to fully explore the character's complexities. Jeremy Sumpter as Brett and Tyler Blackburn as Jesse offer some respite, their interactions adding minor depth through effective portrayals of romantic interests. Unfortunately, these moments are overshadowed by less compelling subplots, such as a forced eating contest montage that serves no real purpose. The antagonist, Ostrog (Dean Armstrong), while possessing a creepy aura, ultimately succumbs to the film's lackluster writing.

Technically, "Hiding" fails to offer anything beyond standard made-for-TV movie quality. The flashback sequences, intended to add layers to Jo's past, end up disorienting due to shaky camera work akin to low-budget attempts at mimicking the 'Bourne' series. Side plots involving stereotypical high school drama contribute little to the main narrative, making the film's pacing uneven and often dull.

In sum, "Hiding" is a serviceable time-filler for those seeking mindless entertainment but doesn't deliver on its potential. Aided by some decent performances, it remains firmly entrenched in mediocrity without ever breaking new ground.

"Hiding" sits firmly within the well-trodden paths of thriller genres, delivering a serviceable yet unremarkable experience. Directed by Thomas J. Wright, the film struggles with a largely unimaginative script but is salvaged somewhat by commendable performances from its cast. The storyline follows familiar territory—classic girl-in-danger motifs polished to a PG-13 sheen. Despite its profound predictability and conventional plot points, "Hiding" manages to maintain a certain level of entertainment value, though it hardly redefines or innovates within its genre.

The Blu-ray release by Anchor Bay presents the film with commendable technical qualities. The video transfer is sharp and well-defined, enhancing the visual experience significantly. Meanwhile, the lossless audio track ensures clear and immersive sound, though it may not reach reference quality. The selection of supplementary materials adds a little extra value, although they are not particularly groundbreaking.

In conclusion, "Hiding" is a competent thriller that does just enough to be worth a glance. It’s an easy watch-and-forget affair that might fill an evening but won't leave a lasting impact. Renting the Blu-ray will suffice for most, but genre enthusiasts might want to grab it when prices drop. The solid technical presentation on this release makes it a decent addition to any collection, provided expectations are tempered.