The Show Blu-ray Review

"The Show" Blu-ray presents a visually striking image that skillfully balances the limitations imposed by its modest budget. The AVC transfer, offered in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, is remarkably solid, delivering a compelling visual experience enhanced by its deliberately dreamy and hazy cinematography. Despite these stylistic choices, which occasionally introduce grain spikes and softness, the transfer maintains a clarity that allows for vivid detail, particularly during the bright daylight sequences and the vibrantly lit night scenes. There are sporadic instances of banding noted, but these do not significantly detract from the overall quality.

The encoded image excels in providing crisp detail and sharpness, maintaining high fidelity throughout the film. Facial features and makeup details are rendered with precision, enhancing character authenticity. The Northampton settings benefit from dimensionality, immersing viewers into the film's universe. Colors are vividly pronounced, showcasing building signage and interior decorations with bright primary hues frequently emphasizing the film's surreal aesthetic. Silver and gold tones are prominently explored, adding depth to scenes that require an otherworldly touch.

While skintones appear natural, the film's stylized use occasionally sacrifices detail in black costuming, presenting a minor trade-off in delineation. The result is a home video presentation that, though modestly beset by typical lower-budget constraints, still delivers a remarkably engaging and visually distinctive experience.

The audio presentation of "The Show" on Blu Ray provides a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track accompanied by a streamlined 2.0 mix for subdued listening environments. The 5.1 mix adeptly captures dialogue, which constitutes the majority of the soundtrack, rendering accents and nuances with precision. The vocal performances are vibrant and articulate, ensuring clarity throughout the film’s dialogue-heavy scenes. Surround channels imbue a distinct sense of depth to the music presentations and atmospheric sounds, enhancing the aural experience, particularly during the intense climax featuring explosions and gunfire.

The score emerges with a haunting presence, effectively utilizing the back channels to reinforce the film's mood. Instrumental clarity is maintained, adding texture to musical numbers with pronounced vocal contributions from Alan Moore. While the low-end frequencies might not deliver thunderous intensity, they provide an appropriate level of depth sufficient to convey the necessary impact, especially during the film's more dynamic segments.

Overall, while certain budgetary constraints are evident, particularly in the ambition of its soundscape, the audio track proficiently fulfills its purpose. Each sonic element is carefully balanced, ensuring that even though the bass might lack formidable strength, it strikes a commendable equilibrium and enhances the narrative through its strategic sound design. This Blu Ray’s audio respects the film's stylistic demands and maximizes its available resources effectively.

The Blu Ray extras for "The Show" offer a comprehensive dive into the creative journey behind the film, enhancing the viewer's appreciation with depth and context. The standout making-of featurette, "Welcome to 'The Show'," provides illuminating interviews with director Mitch Jenkins and screenwriter/actor Alan Moore. It traces the film's evolution from a magazine article to short films, illustrating Moore's seamless adaptation to screenwriting and offering insights on casting and location choices in Northampton. Music enthusiasts will appreciate Moore's venture into songwriting, adding another layer to the film's sonic landscape. Complementing this is a collection of high-definition short films that enrich Moore's universe, providing nuanced explorations of themes and characters.

Extras included in this disc:

• Welcome to 'The Show': Behind-the-scenes with insights from creators.
• Short Films: Collection includes Act of Faith, Upon Reflection, Jimmy's End, A Professional Relationship, His Heavy Heart.
• Trailer: Preview of the cinematic experience.

Alan Moore’s "The Show" immerses audiences in a peculiar fusion of genres, blending elements of a murder mystery, Neo-Noir detective story, and supernatural thriller. Set in a dreamlike version of Moore's hometown, Northampton, the narrative follows Fletcher Dennis (Tom Burke) on a quest to retrieve a stolen ruby-encrusted cross. Despite an ostensibly simple premise — a hitman tracking down his target — the film unravels into an intricate tapestry where reality and the supernatural entwine, questioning the boundaries between the physical world and dreamscapes.

Appealing primarily to fans familiar with Moore’s distinct, esoteric style, "The Show" challenges traditional storytelling norms. It eschews the conventional three-act structure, opting instead for a visual exploration of themes. This cinematic experience mirrors the enigmatic nature of Fellini-esque dramas while incorporating superhero and underworld motifs. Viewers encounter eclectic characters: a comedian resembling Hitler, a mysterious woman named Faith (Siobhan Hewlett), and even Moore himself as the Arch-Enemy of God, each contributing to the film's bizarre ambiance.

Director Mitch Jenkins, alongside Moore, navigates these multifaceted layers without the financial backing typically required for such a venture. Consequently, "The Show" at times feels like a budget-constrained English alternative to "Twin Peaks," with its eccentric characters and surreal narratives. While offering glimpses of brilliance, the film occasionally succumbs to its own ambition, delivering extensive dialogues that border on pretentiousness. Fans of Moore might relish this intense immersion into his visionary universe, albeit with an understanding that it poses more questions than it resolves. For those unfamiliar with Moore’s oeuvre, engagement may hinge on one's tolerance for exploratory narratives that prioritize thematic depth over linear progression.

"The Show" on Blu-ray is a challenging cinematic experience, poised firmly within the niche category of cult arthouse films. Directed by Mitch Jenkins and penned by the enigmatic Alan Moore, it explores a bizarre narrative landscape—a labyrinth of red herrings and fragmented subplots. The film showcases an eccentric vision that reflects Moore's vivid disdain for conventional Hollywood storytelling. With a runtime of 116 minutes, it offers an intricate tapestry of dialogue-driven scenes that provide more cerebral engagement than visceral action, saving most of its dramatic flair for a climactic finale.

The technical presentation includes a sharp 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio, accompanied by robust English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 audio options. Supporting visuals are crisp, though some may find the film's aesthetic stark—highlighting Jenkins' commendable effort despite budgetary limitations. Subtitles are available in English SDH, aiding viewers in navigating the film’s dense dialogue. While the performances by Ellie Bamber, Tom Burke, Darrel D'Silva, and Alan Moore himself are engaging, they contribute to a narrative that feels perpetually introspective, leaving broader audience appeal in question.

Conclusively, "The Show" can be seen as an ambitious art piece tailored for Alan Moore's devoted fans. It’s not traditionally cinematic; rather, it belongs in the realm of visual artistry that speaks specifically to those who resonate with Moore’s literary style and thematic boldness. For enthusiasts of peculiar storytelling and comic book-inspired plots, this Blu-ray offers a unique addition to the collection, while others may prefer to approach with caution, considering a rental before full investment.