The Messengers Blu-ray Review

"The Messengers" arrives on Blu-ray featuring a film-like 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer that showcases Sony's dedication to delivering quality visuals. The film opens with a significant black-and-white segment that, despite some banding, is presented with impressive clarity and definition, setting a solid visual tone. Transitioning to color, the image remains consistently sharp and richly detailed, with interior scenes in the house capturing an appropriately dreary, shadowy ambiance. Textural details are meticulously rendered; hardwood planks show accumulated grime convincingly and facial close-ups reveal fine details like pores and stubble with lifelike clarity. Exterior farmhouse shots maintain high detail across the entire frame, with greenery providing the film’s most vibrant colors. Black levels are generally strong, though some shadow detail is occasionally lost. Film grain is present but thin enough to preserve fine details beautifully throughout.

The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer utilized by Sony is highly stylized and suits the film's color-tinted and contrast-heavy aesthetic well. While the black-and-white opening suffers from excessive contrast leading to banding and an edgy feel, the color sequences are a significant improvement. Although hues appear unnatural, they avoid bleeding issues, and flesh tones range from neutral to slightly tinted orange. The contrast runs a bit high, but daylight sequences retain strong detail and commendable depth. Minor flaws include occasional jagged edges on highly contrasted objects and during slow pans, especially in scenes of sunflower fields, which can look overly digital. Despite these minor issues, "The Messengers" boasts an attractive and atmospheric transfer that ably supports the film’s stylistic intentions, making for a visually engaging experience.

The audio presentation of "The Messengers" on Blu-ray is dominated by an aggressive PCM 5.1 uncompressed soundtrack that significantly amplifies the horror elements of the film. This track immerses the listener in a fully-engaging surround sound environment, planting them right in the midst of the film's pivotal settings, whether it's the haunting sunflower fields or the unnerving confines of a dilapidated farmhouse. The bass response is tight and rumbling without being overly forceful, adding a significant but not distracting layer of depth to more demanding scenes. The sound design utilizes a seamless 360-degree sound field that conjures an experience akin to "sonic insanity," effectively creating an immersive cacophony of sounds that enhance the film’s atmospheric tension.

On a technical level, the PCM 5.1 track (48kHz/16-bit-4.6mpbs) proves to be robust with strong low bass and clear dialogue reproduction. However, there are notable volume inconsistencies; the track oscillates between overly loud and somewhat too quiet, which might detract from the overall listening experience when played at higher levels. The sound designers have clearly manipulated volume levels to amplify shock stingers, which although effective in delivering jump scares, feel gimmicky at times. That said, the active surround channels and transparent channel panning commendably exploit eerie sound effects to their full potential. One standout element is the twangy score, which, despite the film's mixed reviews, remains a notable highlight of this otherwise technically sound but dynamically uneven audio presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "The Messengers" offers a modest yet engaging selection of supplementary content. The standout is a commentary featuring Kristen Stewart, Dustin Milligan, Mark Wheaton, Bruce Jones, and producers William Sherak and Jason Shuman. Despite its occasional lack of focus, Stewart's interest and participation help to maintain momentum, making it a treat for dedicated fans. The main attraction is the comprehensive 37-minute documentary "Exhuming 'The Messengers,'" divided into seven insightful parts. Topics range from directing and script development to set construction and visual effects, providing a well-rounded look at the film's production. Additionally, trailers for several other Sony Blu-ray titles are included but notably lack a trailer for "The Messengers" itself.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary Track: Featuring Kristen Stewart, Dustin Milligan, Mark Wheaton, Bruce Jones, William Sherak, and Jason Shuman.
• Pang Vision: Examines the directorial perspective.
• Script Evolution: Focuses on the screenplay development.
• Constructing the Set: Delves into the set design process.
• Kristen Stewart: Rising Star: Highlights Kristen Stewart's role.
• John Corbett: Unexpected Villain: Discusses John Corbett's character.
• Meet the Crows: Introduces the avian cast of the film.
• Exploring Visual Effects: Details the visual effects work.

Additionally:

• Trailers for "The Grudge 2," "Ghost Rider," "Blood and Chocolate," "Catch and Release," and "Stomp the Yard."

"The Messengers," directed by the Pang brothers, offers a competent yet formulaic entry into the PG-13 horror genre. The narrative centers on the Solomon family—father Roy (Dylan McDermott), mother Denise (Penelope Ann Miller), daughter Jess (Kristen Stewart), and toddler Ben—who relocate to a remote North Dakota farm with a dark past. Despite the film's slick direction and atmospheric tension, it never fully transcends its genre conventions. The story leans heavily on predictable jump scares and haunted house tropes, resulting in a middle-of-the-road horror experience that lacks lasting impact.

Visually, "The Messengers" excels. The use of Hitchcockian camera angles and moody atmospherics creates an effectively eerie setting. Joseph LoDuca's score adds a unique touch, blending horror elements with a hint of country-esqueness, though it struggles to elevate the material beyond its inherent limitations. The film’s reliance on style over substance, however, becomes apparent as the thin plot unfolds, failing to deliver the depth or psychological complexity that could have made it more engaging.

Despite a few chilling moments and strong production values, "The Messengers" falters due to its cliched story and character archetypes. The performances are serviceable but do little to breathe life into the well-worn narrative. As the film progresses, the repetitive structure of ghostly encounters grows tiresome, leading to a climactic reveal that feels both predictable and underwhelming. While the Pang brothers demonstrate potential behind the camera, "The Messengers" ultimately serves as a passable time-waster rather than a memorable entry in the horror genre.

"The Messengers" on Blu-ray delivers a mixed package. The film itself falls short of standout horror, hinging too heavily on clichéd jump scares and predictable plot devices. Its PG-13 rating undercuts any potential for truly unnerving moments, relegating the experience to a standard, forgettable affair. Despite an earnest directing effort by Danny and Oxide Pang, which occasionally lifts the narrative above mediocrity, the film’s weak script and lack of compelling content prevent it from leaving a lasting impression. Diehard fans might find it an adequate watch on a slow afternoon, but it struggles to engage a wider audience.

Technically, however, the Blu-ray release excels. The video transfer is consistently sharp, capturing the atmospheric visuals with high clarity and definition. The audio tracks are robust, adding an immersive quality with clear dialogue and well-balanced sound effects. This solid A/V presentation is complemented by a handful of decent extras that provide some, albeit limited, additional insights into the production. These factors enhance the overall experience and add value to the purchase or rental.

In conclusion, "The Messengers" is a competently directed yet ineffective horror film. Its predictability and reliance on basic scare tactics make it a typical example of modern PG-13 horror fare. Nonetheless, Sony’s superior Blu-ray presentation somewhat redeems the film's shortcomings. While it may not demand a place in every collection, it comes recommended as a solid rental or purchase at a reasonable price for those who appreciate quality home entertainment setups.