Oblivion Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Oblivion" stands as a paragon of visual quality. The 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer offers an almost flawless rendering, capturing the intricate detail and texture of every scene with razor-sharp clarity. This film employs a sophisticated visual design, utilizing a limited yet effective color palette primarily consisting of deep grays, blues, sepia tones, whites, and blacks. Despite these subdued hues, the depiction is stark and impressively vivid. Contrast is robust, with deep black levels ensuring excellent shadow delineation. Wide-angle shots of dark interiors and expansive exteriors are stunningly detailed, contributing to the three-dimensional and immersive quality of the image.

One of the standout elements is the meticulous attention to texture and edge detail. The film's visual effects and production design are brilliantly showcased, from the lifelike reflections in sleek futuristic surfaces to the subtleties of skin tones that are both accurate and consistent. Kosinski’s artistic eye shines through in every frame, most notably in the sky home sequences where real clouds and sunsets are employed via modern front projection techniques. These in-camera effects contribute to a high-definition presentation that is both natural yet perfectly enhanced for Blu-ray. The night scenes are particularly striking, with natural shadows and excellent depth of field.

While the Blu-ray does not offer IMAX aspect ratio shifting and is consistently framed at 2.40:1, this does not detract from its visual splendor. Instead, every scene—whether bathed in cold, sterile light or lush earth tones—comes across impeccably clear and free of artifacts such as banding or aliasing. This transfer is a testament to top-tier craftsmanship, exhibiting the filmmakers' detailed work without any visual noise or disruptions. "Oblivion" is undoubtedly a demo-worthy disc, making it an excellent choice for showcasing any high-definition home theater setup.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack for Oblivion is nothing short of reference quality, ensuring an uncompromised audio experience that will thrill audiophiles. This immersive mix delivers impeccably detailed and powerfully dynamic audio that fully leverages the placement of multi-layered sound effects within the soundfield. Surround channels are employed effectively and occasionally aggressively to extend the front soundstage and seamlessly integrate the front and rear sound fields during panning sequences. The eclectic score by M83 takes center stage at appropriate moments, with the subwoofer accentuating the already extended dynamic range. This results in clean, hard-hitting, and deeply resonant low-frequency detail.

Dialogue maintains excellent clarity and presence throughout, enhancing the intelligibility of vocal character with noteworthy room penetration. The mix’s directionality is incredibly accurate, with pinpoint cross-channel effects that enhance the listening experience when Jack’s craft flies by or drones initiate their hunt. Environmental ambience remains ever-present, contributing to a consistently immersive soundfield. Bass output is incredibly deep and resonant, adding weight to every explosion, drone blast, and thruster roar. Rear speakers elevate the experience further, ensuring each element—from bullets sending debris flying to drones rocketing past—is brilliantly balanced within the soundscape.

Universal has delivered an outstanding 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix that truly offers a demonstrative-worthy presentation. This mix uses every channel to create a superb sense of space and atmosphere, ensuring complete sensory enjoyment that pushes the boundaries of home theater systems. With clear dialogue, impressive dynamic range, and a powerful low-end output, Oblivion on Blu-ray represents demo-quality audio, serving as an ideal addition to any audiophile’s collection.

The Blu-ray extras for "Oblivion" provide a thorough dive into the film’s production, making them a must-see for fans. The Audio Commentary by Director Joseph Kosinski and Tom Cruise offers an in-depth exploration of various elements, despite a few spoilers and some redundant moments. The Highlight is the “Promise of a New World” five-part documentary, offering valuable insights into the story's development, breathtaking Iceland shoot, practical sets, the Bubbleship's design, action sequences, visual effects, and the M83-composed music. Four Deleted Scenes offer additional context to some story elements. The inclusion of the isolated M83 score in high-quality Dolby TrueHD is a treat for audiophiles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: In-depth discussion by Joseph Kosinski and Tom Cruise.
• Promise of a New World: A comprehensive five-part making-of documentary.
• Deleted Scenes: Four deleted and alternate scenes.
• Isolated M83 Score: Presented in Dolby TrueHD 5.1.

Set in a post-apocalyptic 2077, "Oblivion" introduces us to a shattered Earth, following a war between humans and alien invaders known as "Scavs." Humanity won but at a steep cost—leaving the planet nearly uninhabitable. The plot follows Jack Harper (Tom Cruise), a drone technician, and his partner Vika (Andrea Riseborough) as they oversee the extraction of Earth's remaining resources for a massive human transport ship, the "Tet," destined for Titan. Their routine is disrupted when Jack rescues a mysterious woman (Olga Kurylenko) from a downed spacecraft, setting off a chain of revelations that challenge everything Jack knows about his mission and humanity's fate.

Visually, "Oblivion" is a mesmerizing feast, oscillating between bleak dystopian landscapes and sleek futuristic designs. Kosinski's direction leans heavily on stunning practical effects combined with computer-generated imagery, creating enthralling chase sequences and immersive world-building. The film's visual strength is complemented by an evocative electronic score that bolsters both action sequences and emotional beats. The production design, especially the high-tech equipment like Jack's versatile futuristic chopper, adds depth to the sci-fi experience.

However, the film is loaded with ambitious ideas, often leaving its 125-minute runtime struggling to explore them fully. Borrowing generously from past sci-fi classics, "Oblivion" juggles too many plot threads, resulting in certain aspects feeling underdeveloped. Despite this narrative overreach, the performances manage to engage; Cruise’s portrayal of the conflicted technician brings charisma, while supporting roles by Freeman and Coster-Waldau add necessary gravitas. While plot holes and thematic inconsistencies become apparent on repeated viewings, "Oblivion" offers a mix of superficial spectacle and fleeting moments of profound thought—making it an entertaining, if not wholly original, sci-fi actioner.

"Oblivion," directed by Joseph Kosinski, presents audiences with a visually stunning and dynamically auditory experience that positions itself as one of the noteworthy Blu-ray releases. Kosinski's direction brings a distinct visual style that is both original and compelling, which is only enhanced by Universal's superior video transfer. The Blu-ray edition showcases brilliant production design and an exemplary DTS-HD Master Audio surround track that captures every nuanced detail. The performances, particularly by Tom Cruise, are commendable and contribute significantly to the film's engagement despite its narrative flaws.

Where "Oblivion" struggles is in its screenplay, which suffers from an oversaturation of competing elements and underdeveloped ideas. The film's ambition is evident, but the execution lacks the necessary cohesion, often diverting focus from its strongest narrative threads. Kosinski’s eye for visual splendor does not compensate entirely for these deficiencies. Nonetheless, the included supplemental materials, particularly the in-depth 50-minute production documentary and insightful audio commentary from Kosinski and Cruise, provide substantial value for fans and casual viewers alike.

In conclusion, "Oblivion" on Blu-ray is an essential addition for aficionados of high-quality audio-visual presentations and science fiction enthusiasts. Despite its narrative shortcomings, it stands out for its exceptional production design and technical prowess. It may not reach the heights of genre-defining sci-fi masterpieces, but it remains an engaging, beautiful, and rewatchable film. Investing in this Blu-ray edition is highly recommended, as it delivers some of the best demo material available and serves as a testament to Universal's commitment to quality.