The War of the Roses Blu-ray Review
Filmmakers Signature Series
Score: 73
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
For its age, 'The War of the Roses' stands strong with dark humor, stellar performances, top-notch video and audio quality, and engaging extras.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 75
The 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded image for 'The War of the Roses' retains its soft, filmic quality with pleasing grain and no overt filtering, ensuring natural skintones and detailed textures; though colors are muted, this likely matches the original intent, providing a three-dimensional viewing experience faithful to DeVito's vision.
Audio: 68
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix is modest, focusing on crisp dialogue and frontal presence, with limited surround activity and sparse low-end, suitable for the dialogue-heavy nature of 'The War of the Roses.' The score and atmospheric sounds are supportive but not immersive, highlighting key scenes effectively.
Extra: 75
DeVito's detailed commentary and engaging featurettes, including 'Revisiting The War of the Roses' and 'The Music of The War of the Roses,' offer fans a valuable deep dive into the film's production, complemented by a 26-page booklet and an array of trailers, TV spots, and a rich production gallery.
Movie: 75
DeVito's 'The War of the Roses' is a masterful dark comedy, blending dramatic and screwball elements with an atmospheric style, turning a bitter divorce into an engaging cinematic battle led by powerhouse performances from Douglas and Turner, whose portrayals range from lovable to demented.
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Video: 75
The video presentation of "The War of the Roses" on Blu-ray is commendable, capturing the nuanced visual elements meticulously. Encoded with AVC at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the film’s softer, darker photography is faithfully rendered. The HD image retains a pleasing presence of grain, which maintains the filmic quality without overt filtering. Details are well-preserved, from household tchotchkes to the subtle textures in costumes, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Natural skin tones and detailed facial expressions are well-represented, while paper and costumes sustain their intended textures with high accuracy. Shadow detail is generally satisfactory, although some minor moments of crush occur.
The transfer strikes a balance that can elicit mixed reactions from viewers. While some may find it lackluster due to its softer appearance and evident film grain, others will appreciate the absence of DNR and the preservation of the director’s vision. Skin tones are properly balanced and free of defects or dirt, suggesting a faithful replication of the original theatrical appearance. Although colors appear somewhat muted, this aligns with the film’s intended visual aesthetic. The interior scenes showcase tasteful hues that retain their snap, contributing positively to the film’s seasonal transitions and overall ambiance.
Fox’s 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoding presents "The War of the Roses" with stunning quality and meticulous attention to detail, making it feel almost contemporary despite its 80s origin. The image's three-dimensionality enhances the immersion, making viewers feel as if they are peering through a window into the film’s world. Facial tones remain consistent and strong throughout each scene, and texture runs extremely high, offering an almost tactile sense of the fabrics and surfaces depicted. This superior restoration job provides "The War of the Roses" with an amazing visual presentation that exceeds expectations for an older film.
Audio: 68
The audio presentation of "The War of the Roses" Blu-ray offers an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, alongside an English Surround Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish Dolby Digital 1.0, and French Surround Dolby Digital 2.0 options. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix is predominantly front-heavy, providing a straightforward auditory experience suitable for this dialogue-centric movie. Dialogue is crisp and well-separated, ensuring clarity without interference from other sound elements. The low-end presence is minimal but effectively employed during key moments, such as Barbara's truck scenes, adding depth without overpowering the primary audio.
While the score contributes appropriately to emotional tones, it does not dominate the listening experience, instead augmenting dramatic sequences with subtlety. Surround channels are utilized sparingly, primarily for ambient sounds like wind and rain and to establish spatial awareness, but do not offer extensive directional activity or immersive effects. This restrained use aligns well with the film's needs, particularly in the climactic moments where it maintains coherence without drawing undue attention.
Overall, the audio mix is functional and complements the film's nature, though it lacks the dynamism of more effects-driven soundtracks. Subtitles are available in English SDH and Spanish, rounding out a solid but not extraordinary audio package. This DTS-HD MA 5.1 track matches the movie's requirements adequately, supporting its narrative focus and maintaining a balanced yet unremarkable soundscape.
Extra: 75
The Blu-ray extras for "The War of the Roses" encompass a rich and varied array of materials that offer in-depth insights, blending legacy content from the original laserdisc release with recent HD featurettes. Danny DeVito takes center stage across much of the supplemental content, offering detailed commentary and engaging discussions that delve into the technical and creative processes behind the film. The inclusion of deleted scenes, trailers, a comprehensive production gallery, and a draft script provides a thorough look at the film's production journey. Although the deleted scenes remain in SD, the majority of the extras benefit from HD quality, ensuring a polished viewing experience for fans and cinephiles alike.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary with Danny DeVito: In-depth, from 1991 laserdisc, humorous and technical insights.
- Revisiting 'The War of the Roses': DeVito and James L. Brooks discuss film production.
- The Music of 'The War of the Roses': Discussion with composer David Newman.
- Deleted Scenes Montage: Uncut scenes with DeVito's introduction.
- Production Gallery: Over 100 behind-the-scenes photographs.
- Script: Complete shooting script with uncut scenes.
- Trailer A, C, D, E & TV Spots: Various promotional materials.
Movie: 75
"The War of the Roses" delivers an unforgettable dark comedy experience masterfully directed by Danny DeVito. Starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, who play Oliver and Barbara, the film chronicles their descent from passionate lovers to bitter adversaries. Their marriage, which begins with an enchanting "meet-cute," rapidly spirals into sinister conflicts as Oliver's obsession with work and Barbara's search for purpose clash violently. The narrative cleverly plays on marital claustrophobia and escalating antagonism, featuring scenes where marital strife evolves into dangerous physical altercations and outrageous schemes, making the film both wickedly funny and disturbingly dramatic.
DeVito's directorial prowess is evident as he transforms Warren Adler's 1981 novel into pure cinema replete with rich, dreamlike production values. With his keen sense of dark humor and impeccable timing, DeVito turns what could have been an uncomfortable narrative into a highly theatrical and engaging spectacle. The film cleverly utilizes a storytelling device through DeVito's character Gavin, a lawyer narrating the chaotic dissolution of the Roses' marriage to a potential client. This approach provides a buffer for the disturbing content while adding layers to the storytelling. The grand use of detailed sets, intricate process shots, and clever lighting enriches the overall viewing experience, creating an inviting atmosphere despite the film's dark subject matter.
Douglas and Turner excel in their roles, bringing a seductive blend of charm and menace to their characters. Their performances are complemented by DeVito's daring direction, which maintains a fine balance between absurdity and reality, ensuring the film's darkly comic tone never falters. The screenplay by Michael Leeson seizes every opportunity to push the boundaries of marital warfare, presenting a relentless Thunderdome of emotional and physical chaos. As a result, "The War of the Roses" stands out not just for its stark humor but also for its daring depiction of matrimonial discord, making it a timeless piece that resonates across different generations.
Total: 73
"The War of the Roses" Blu-ray release by Fox is a standout addition to any film buff's collection, particularly within their Filmmakers Signature Series. Maintaining its punch after over 20 years, the dark comedy directed by Danny DeVito still resonates strongly with today's audience. With top-tier video display and fitting audio quality, this technical presentation offers an exceptional viewing experience. The visuals are crisp, enhancing the film's aesthetic, while the sound design is effectively balanced, ensuring dialogue is clear against the backdrop of tumultuous events.
This release shines not just in its main feature but also through its comprehensive set of supplemental materials. Danny DeVito’s involvement adds significant value, providing deep dives into the production process through engaging and informative featurettes. The bonus content feels purposeful, avoiding the pitfall of superfluous additions that do not contribute meaningfully to the viewer's understanding or appreciation of the film. Additionally, the included booklet is a thoughtful touch, offering further context and insights for both fans and newcomers.
At nearly two hours in length, "The War of the Roses" can be exhausting due to its relentless comedic bile, yet it rewards viewers with an incredible ending that underscores DeVito’s skillful handling of acidic humor. The conclusion is a natural, disastrous finish that speaks volumes about the brutal realities of love and divorce, resonating particularly with those familiar with such experiences. This Blu-ray release masterfully encapsulates DeVito's directorial prowess and ensures that the film's legacy endures, making it a worthy addition to any serious collector’s library.
Blu-ray.com review by Brian OrndorfRead review here
Video: 80
Details are key for a movie like this, and disc maintains a clean read of screen particulars, from the tchotchkes that litter the Rose household to the thinness of fabrics, accentuating certain wardrobe...
Audio: 70
Dialogue is crisp and tight, with accurate separation and a distinct management of violence, which never steps on verbal exchanges....
Extras: 100
Deleted Scenes Montage (23:22, SD) follows DeVito into the editing room to explore a range of snipped moments, including time with Barbara during her stint as a seafood restaurant waitress, an extended...
Movie: 80
It's stellar, subversive work from the lovable actor, who instigates a highly theatrical style to emphasize the unreality of the central conflict, easing the ugliness through a dreamlike sense of communication,...
Total: 80
Perhaps it's the only viable conclusion, with many who've been through the wringer of divorce likely to side with the material's brutal final assessment of everlasting love....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
I will say that the transfer here (which one assumes was approved by DeVito given the "Signature Series" logo, although no such acknowledgement of that fact is on the disc itself, and the box cover simply...
Audio: 60
There are a few scenes where the audio stands out a bit more, like when Barbara stalks Oliver with her monster truck, during the climax in the Roses' house, and of course during the opening credit sequence,...
Extras: 40
Supplements consist of both new and old, with the best features from the original laserdisc release being carried over here, along with a couple of brand-new featurettes (detailed in the HD Bonus Content...
Movie: 80
The most interesting thing about the movie is how it is able to play both sides of the conflict so evenly and, as a result, divide who the audience sympathizes with along gender lines....
Total: 60
If you're a fan of the film or just a fan of watching great actors doing some of their best on-screen work, this release is recommended....
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 100
Detail is extremely high and the image comes across very three dimensional you almost feel you’re peering in a window to see this film....
Audio: 70
Most of the action takes place in the front speakers, but that’s very relative to the nature of this film....
Extras: 100
Director Danny DeVito is very active with the bonus material a delivers himself in recalling all the importance of making this film....
Movie: 80
Not only is the end result of the film sadistically funny, but it also makes you feel bad as we came to really like these characters and really know them in the prior precedings....
Total: 90
Fans of this film will be pleased and newcomers will definitely have enough here when discovering the film for the first time....
Director: Danny DeVito
Actors: Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito
PlotOliver and Barbara Rose appear to lead a perfect life with a beautiful home, successful careers, and two children. However, beneath this facade, their marriage deteriorates as they become increasingly consumed by contempt and resentment for one another. The tension escalates when Barbara decides she wants a divorce, and Oliver vehemently refuses to leave their shared mansion. Both refuse to be the one to move out, leading to a bitter and escalating battle over their home and possessions. What starts as petty mind games quickly descends into a series of vengeful acts designed to make each other's lives a living hell.
As the animosity grows, Oliver and Barbara engage in increasingly outrageous and destructive behavior, each trying to force the other into submission or out of the house completely. Their conflict not only affects their personal lives but also the lives of those around them, including their children and legal representatives. Each act of retaliation pushes the other to new extremes, stripping away any remaining semblance of their previous love and revealing the depths of their hatred. The situation spirals out of control, highlighting the dark and often absurd consequences of letting pride and anger dictate one's actions.
Writers: Warren Adler, Michael Leeson
Release Date: 08 Dec 1989
Runtime: 116 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English