Contraband Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Contraband" delivers with a 1080p/AVC-encoded video that amalgamates a deliberately murky aesthetic with exceptional technical quality, embodying the film’s dark and gritty essence without sacrificing detail. From the onset, viewers are introduced to a visual experience where shadows loom large and contrast is forcefully applied, embodying the harsh realities of the story's environments from the gloomy streets of New Orleans to the equally oppressive Panama City. Such a choice might obscure finer details in lesser transfers, but here, clarity is not forsaken. The detail in facial features, textures, and even the intentional graininess is preserved with commendable precision, ensuring that every intended nuance of director Kormákur and DP Barry Ackroyd's vision is visible. Color reproduction and skin tones are kept authentic, aligning perfectly with the film’s atmospheric demands, while digital imperfections such as artifacting and banding are notably absent, showcasing a clean and respectful handling of the source material.

Universal's treatment of this release strikes a balance between maintaining the film’s thematic elements and ensuring a high-quality viewing experience. The picture quality shines in its crisp and clean presentation, with a particularly robust handling of black levels that enriches nocturnal scenes with depth and vibrancy. Despite an initial murkiness and some instances where shadow delineation could be stronger, the transfer consistently displays solid contrast and a muted yet effective color palette that complements the film’s setting and mood. The grain structure, deliberately faint, adds texture without detracting from the overall clarity, allowing background elements and close-up details to stand out. Importantly, the source material's pristine condition is evident throughout, untainted by digital noise or other common issues, rounding out what is ultimately a commendable effort by Universal in presenting "Contraband" in its purest visual form on Blu-ray.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track featured in "Contraband" presents an aggressive auditory experience aimed primarily at immersing viewers directly into the film's high-octane moments. The track excels in creating a chaotic soundscape where explosions, car crashes, and gunfire are not just heard but felt, thanks to the robust support from the LFE channel and dynamic utilization of rear speakers. Dialogue does occasionally get lost amidst this cacophony, particularly during sequences bustling with activity. However, voices remain predominantly clear, with efforts to ensure prioritization achieving notable success given the relentless sound design orchestrated by Kormákur. The commitment to a heavy, action-driven audio presentation might not appeal to all, especially cinephiles looking for a balance of subtlety and power, but it undoubtedly serves the movie's intent well, delivering a visceral experience that complements its visuals.

Despite the track's penchant for the dramatic, certain aspects do slightly hinder its overall impact. There's a discernible lack of surround presence which could have elevated the immersion factor, and while front channel separation impresses with its clarity, the overall soundstage might not reach the spectacular heights found in the upper echelons of action film audio presentations. Nonetheless, the soundtrack maintains crisp execution with no distortion or surface noise to mar its delivery. Dialogue and music score maintain good fidelity and depth, even if occasionally overshadowed by the film's louder elements. The dynamic range is wide, adeptly managing both the quieter moments and the roar of action sequences with equal finesse.

In sum, "Contraband"'s audio track delivers a robust, albeit sometimes overwhelming, sonic experience designed to accompany its action-packed narrative. It might favor intensity over intricate details and could improve in offering a more enveloping surround presence, yet it achieves its goal of keeping viewers engaged and entertained. The low-end power and directional effects particularly stand out, crafting an audio journey that's sure to please fans of the genre, despite room for refinement in balancing its more nuanced aspects.

The Blu-ray extras for "Contraband" present a mixed bag, capturing the film's behind-the-scenes action and production nuances but ultimately leaving something to be desired for the aficionado. The U-Control Picture-in-Picture experience, which fails to deliver consistent value across the film's chapters, is emblematic of the overall sparsity of enriching material. The Audio Commentary with producer-director Baltasar Kormákur and co-producer Evan Hayes provides a straightforward, if not particularly compelling, scene-by-scene dissection of the movie, touched by occasional insights into their creative process and some on-set stories. "Under the Radar: The Making of 'Contraband'" and "Reality Factor: The Stunts and Action of 'Contraband'" featurettes serve up a standard mix of cast and crew interviews, stunt breakdowns, and scene analyses, promising more action-focused content but not significantly deepening the viewer's appreciation of the film's craft. Meanwhile, the Deleted Scenes offer glimpses at what might have been but affirm the final cut's decisions.

Extras included in this disc:

• U-Control Picture-in-Picture (HD): Provides interviews and behind-the-scenes content for select chapters.
• Audio Commentary: Producer-director Baltasar Kormákur and co-producer Evan Hayes offer insights and anecdotes from the set.
• Under the Radar: The Making of 'Contraband': A making-of featurette with a focus on action, behind-the-scenes footage, and crew interviews.
• Reality Factor: The Stunts and Action of 'Contraband': Breaks down stunt work and action choreography featured in the film.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 6 minutes): A collection of twelve brief deleted and alternate scenes.

Universal's Blu-ray presentation of "Contraband" gives this flawed caper enough technical grace to narrowly escape being delegated to the forgettable corners of action cinema. Mark Wahlberg, reprising the role of Chris Farraday, attempts to navigate through the tumultuous waters of a storyline that teeters on the brink of coherence, embarking on a smuggling venture to rescue his brother-in-law from the clutches of a sadistic gangster portrayed by Giovanni Ribisi. The movie struggles under the weight of its convoluted plot and erratic pacing, promising a thriller that swiftly devolves into a disorganized mishmash of genre clichés. Despite these narrative stumbles, the performances offer a glimmer of redemption, with Wahlberg at his "Wahlbergian" best and Ribisi delighting in his villainous turn, supported by Ben Foster and Kate Beckinsale in roles that strive to add depth to the chaos.

Director Baltasar Kormákur, piloting an adaptation of the Icelandic film "Reykjavik-Rotterdam," endeavors to blend intense personal drama with high stakes action, setting much of its action in gritty locales from New Orleans to Panama. However, despite a visual style aiming to paint a raw, unfiltered view of smuggling's underbelly, the film's execution falters, tripped by its own ambitions and a script that lacks the finesse to weave its intricate web of plotlines into a cohesive narrative. Still, this venture into the grimy world of contraband smuggling manages to deliver fleeting thrills, buoyed by a cast capable of transcending the material at moments, even if it never fully capitalizes on its potential to unravel a compelling story.

On a technologically commendable note, the Blu-ray edition offers viewers an impeccable AV presentation, underscoring Universal's commitment to high-quality home entertainment experiences. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video codec ensures that every frame, from the dimly lit back alleys of Panama to the vibrant chaos of smuggling operations, is rendered with striking clarity and detail. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack envelops the audience in a soundscape as immersive as it is dynamic, capturing every nuanced sound from whispered threats to the roar of cargo ships against the ocean. Though "Contraband" navigates through rough narrative seas, its Blu-ray presentation emerges as a technical triumph that might just warrant giving this heist thriller a chance on home screens.

Contraband," despite its lukewarm reception as a cinematic piece, earns accolades for its Blu-ray presentation, which seems to be the consensus across various reviews. The film itself, featuring Mark Wahlberg in a less than memorable role, may not make significant waves in his career portfolio, but it manages to deliver an entertaining if predictable action-packed experience. The storyline, while not breaking new ground, is supplemented by competent acting and enough twists to keep the narrative engaging. The real triumph, however, lies in the Blu-ray's execution: the video transfer is precise, showcasing an attention to detail that elevates the viewing experience, accompanied by a DTS-HD Master Audio track that promises to immerse and perhaps even startle the neighbors with its clarity and depth.

On the technical front, Universal has put forth an exemplary package that includes not only the aforementioned high-quality audio and video but also a collection of special features that, while not groundbreaking, offer a satisfactory supplement to the main attraction. This Blu-ray release stands as a testament to how a film, regardless of its critical reception, can be given a new lease of life through meticulous home release production values. For those drawn to the genre or Wahlberg's dynamic presence, "Contraband" offers a solid, albeit familiar action experience that is significantly enhanced by its AV presentation.

In conclusion, while "Contraband" might not be heralded as a pinnacle of filmmaking, its Blu-ray incarnation provides a compelling argument for its acquisition. The stellar AV quality and adequate special features ensure that fans of the genre and Wahlberg enthusiasts will find something to appreciate. It's a case where the medium elevates the message, providing an engaging home viewing experience that might just compensate for the film's perceived narrative and directive shortcomings.