The Kitchen Blu-ray Review

The Kitchen" presents a compelling visual experience on Blu-ray, encapsulated within a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, faithfully preserving its original cinematic scope. Shot digitally and mastered with a 2K digital intermediate, the film's Blu-ray rendition shines with exemplary clarity and a rich, well-saturated color palette true to the gritty and vibrant aesthetic of the 1970s era it portrays. As a predominantly dark film, both in tone and visual composition, it masterfully maintains shadow detail and deep black levels, ensuring that the underlit scenes, characteristic of the film's moody ambiance, are delivered with remarkable precision. While a slight presence of aliasing and moiré patterns on complex background textures were noted, these minor visual imperfections do not detract from the overall high-definition experience, suggesting a 4K release could potentially remedy these issues.

The transfer's excellence extends to capturing the nuances of the setting's grimy texture and the contrasting bursts of color that define the characters within their environment. From the wide shots displaying the deteriorated charm of old New York, replete with its graffiti-filled walls and weathered buildings, to the more intimate details such as the intricate cuts of meat in the butcher shop or the subtle intricacies of makeup blemishes on close-ups, every scene is rendered with an impressive depth and realism. Notably, the film's color grading excels in balancing the stark contrasts between the dark, shadow-laden backdrops and the vivid hues of the protagonists' attire, alongside the accurately portrayed skin tones under diverse lighting conditions.

Although video noise is largely absent, save for infrequent aliasing glimpsed in certain sequences that resolves itself swiftly, "The Kitchen" on Blu-ray demonstrates an adept handling of a visually challenging film. It articulates the dingy yet colorful world of 1970s New York with an attention to detail and color accuracy that both casual viewers and cinephiles will appreciate. The blu-ray disc ensures that despite its darker settings and complex textures, viewers can enjoy a clean, artifact-free presentation that remains true to the director's gritty vision.

The audio presentation of "The Kitchen" on Blu-ray, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, excels in delivering a strong, dynamic experience that fans of the genre have come to expect from major studio releases. The mix offers a rich dynamic range with a forceful atmosphere, particularly evident through the potent LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) channel activity. This robust bass presence is not only pronounced in front channels during high-intensity sequences like shootouts but also seamlessly extends into the rear channels, enveloping the viewer in a fully immersive sonic experience. Bryce Dessner's percussive score further leverages this low-end power, enhancing suspense at pivotal moments without overshadowing crucial dialogue, which remains crisp, clean, and well-integrated within the chaotic soundscape.

On the subject of spatial audio distribution, the Blu-ray's lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 track expertly utilizes the 5.1 speaker setup to its full potential. Sound effects from cars and gunfire deliver impactful bass, adding a tangible heft to each action sequence. Moreover, the directionality and smooth transition of sounds across speakers—from speeding vehicles to whizzing bullets—along with well-layered ambient sounds like street chatter and music from local establishments emanating from rear speakers, contribute to an audibly rich and realistic urban environment.

Despite these strengths, one minor quibble arises regarding subtitle placement, partially extending outside the 2.40:1 frame—an issue primarily for projector owners. Yet, even with this slight inconvenience, "The Kitchen" stands out for its solid audio execution. Dialogue clarity remains uncompromised amidst the tumultuous background, ensuring a consistent and engaging auditory experience throughout the film and its bonus features.

The Blu-ray release of "The Kitchen" comes with a sparse selection of extras, echoing a noticeable void in the physical release market where more comprehensive and in-depth special features would have been anticipated, especially given the film's standout cast and production efforts. The extras included offer a peek into the movie's development, with insights from the director, producer, original comic creators, and lead actors discussing its ties to the comic origin, the adaptation process, and the film's setting amidst a recreation of the 1970s' New York. However, the brief runtime of these featurettes leaves much to be desired, particularly in exploring the visual and production design aspects more thoroughly. The singular deleted scene provided, while polished, adds little to the overall narrative or understanding of the film. The absence of a commentary track or more substantial behind-the-scenes material further underscores the limited offering, which seems to lean towards a basic EPK (Electronic Press Kit) approach rather than an enriching bonus content collection for aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:

• Running Hell's Kitchen: A discussion on the film's adaptation from Vertigo comics, including insights into its development, genre influences, graphic violence, and collaborative efforts among cast and crew.

• Taking Over the Neighborhood: A brief exploration of filming in New York City and capturing the essence of the 1970s through production and costume design.

• Deleted Scene: An exclusive scene providing additional context to the narrative with finished visuals and music.

The Kitchen," a film adaptation of the DC/Vertigo limited series, aims to tell a compelling story of three mob wives in Hell’s Kitchen, 1978. Directed by Andrea Berloff in her directorial debut, the plot orbits around Kathy Brennan (Melissa McCarthy), Ruby O'Carroll (Tiffany Haddish), and Claire Walsh (Elisabeth Moss) as they navigate life after their husbands are incarcerated. Despite a strong premise that promises an unconventional take on the mob genre, focusing on women taking the lead in their husbands' criminal enterprises, "The Kitchen" ultimately falls short of its potential. The movie's narrative becomes overly complicated as it progresses, with plot points introduced then abandoned, resulting in a convoluted storyline that fails to satisfy.

The turning point of the film occurs when the women's imprisoned husbands are prematurely released, leading to an unsatisfactory unraveling of what could have been a rich and engaging narrative. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of the end for the movie’s coherence and impact. However, not all is lost; "The Kitchen" shines in its production values. With a $38 million budget, the film boasts an authentic portrayal of late-1970s New York City, thanks to outstanding production and costume design by Shane Valentino and Sarah Edwards, respectively. These elements, combined with a captivating score by Bryce Dessner, provide a rich atmospheric backdrop that unfortunately isn't matched by the film's plot or character development.

Despite stellar performances from its lead cast, "The Kitchen" suffers from critical issues in pacing, editing, and tone, struggling to balance its ambitious storytelling with the depth and nuance required to make its characters resonate with the audience. The attempts to weave complex social dynamics and historical authenticity into the fabric of the narrative are undermined by the erratic direction and lack of coherent development. As such, while the film visually transports viewers to 1970s New York with remarkable detail and atmospheric precision, it ultimately fails to deliver a story that matches the potential of its premise or the talent of its cast.

The Kitchen," while ambitious in its attempt to join the ranks of acclaimed mob dramas, ultimately falls short in its execution and narrative cohesion. Despite being anchored by a promising ensemble cast and an intriguing premise that aims to depict the gritty underworld through a female-led lens, the film struggles with tone inconsistency and disjointed editing, reminiscent of lesser entries in the genre. It aspires to the heights of classics like "Goodfellas" and "The Departed," yet it falters, leaving viewers with a plethora of underdeveloped ideas and a second half that significantly dampens any initial enthusiasm. However, it's worth noting that the production and costume design are highlights, delivering an authentic 1970s atmosphere that partially redeems the cinematic experience.

On the technical side, Warner Bros.' Blu-ray release of "The Kitchen" presents a compelling case for ownership, particularly for those who found merit in its theatrical run. The 1080p HD video and DTS-HD 5.1 audio mix are standout features, expertly capturing the film's period setting and providing an immersive audiovisual experience that is likely the best aspect of this release. While the extras included are scant, they offer a glimpse into the film's making that fans will find worthwhile, even if left wanting more.

In conclusion, "The Kitchen" represents a missed opportunity to innovatively tell a mob story from a predominantly female perspective. Although its narrative ambitions are undercut by executional missteps, the Blu-ray presentation shines with commendable A/V quality and a sprinkle of special features that will appeal to audiophiles and collectors. For those able to look past the film's storytelling flaws, this release might deserve a spot in their collection, primarily for its technical merits and the fleeting moments when its potential briefly surfaces.