A History of Violence Blu-ray

A History of Violence Blu-ray

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Video Video codec: VC-1 Video resolution: 1080p Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Audio English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English: Dolby Digital 5.1 English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (less) Subtitles English, Spanish English, Spanish (less) Discs 25GB Blu-ray Disc Digital copy (on disc)

Price List price: $28.99  Amazon: $7.99 (Save 72%) Third party: $6.99 (Save 76%) Usually ships in 24 hours Blu-ray rating Users 4.4 Reviewer 3.5 Overall 3.9 Based on 7 user ratings Playback Region free

A History of Violence

A History of Violence features a decent 1080p/VC-1 transfer that clearly bests the standard DVD, but still suffers from a few mindnumbing issues all its own. Once again, Warner has slathered one of their films with DNR in an effort to subdue grain and, once again, I cannot wrap my head around their reasoning. Why a 2005 production warrants such overzealous tampering is beyond me, but I suppose the Powers-That-Be are working overtime to ensure grain-haters won't have anything to complain about... except for DNR's glaring side effects. What side effects, you say? Facial textures are smudged (or eliminated, as is sometimes the case here), moving objects often exhibit slight motion smearing, and the clarity of the image's fine detail is reduced (or hindered altogether). It may not matter to someone with a 37" LCD TV, but it'll begin to bother anyone with a larger screen. As it stands, this disc boasts one of the more distracting applications of DNR I've encountered. It doesn't help that edge enhancement has been applied to the transfer as well (presumably to compensate for the softness brought on by the intrusive noise reduction). Actors, buildings, and powerlines set against Cronenberg's bleak skies are plagued by thick white halos that are distracting, to say the least.

Luckily, the remaining picture quality is impressive enough to allow the BD to improve upon its DVD counterpart. Colors are more vibrant (especially reds), skintones are more lifelike, and the palette is more naturally saturated than before. Some mediocre contrast leveling flattens the image throughout, but deep (albeit oppressive) blacks and comfortable whites inject some much-needed dimensionality into the proceedings. Even though it annoyed me to no end, I admit that detail has received a notable boost as well. Better still, I didn't catch signs of significant artifacting, swarming source noise, or bothersome banding. I can't wait for the day that studios wise up and realize post-processing nonsense like DNR and EE subvert the beauty of their films but, for now, A History of Violence offers a passable presentation that should please fans looking for improved visuals.

A History of Violence Blu-ray, Audio Quality

Thankfully, the immersive Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track Warner has mastered for A History of Violence soothed my disappointment and slapped a smile back on my face. Far from the action-packed thriller its trailers suggest, Cronenberg's well-paced character drama is mainly populated with hushed conversations, whispered threats, and quiet locales. To that end, dialogue is crisp and perfectly prioritized, the rear speakers deliver plenty of subtle ambient effects, convincing acoustic qualities, and precise directionality. Even minor effects (a tightening garrote, shifting gravel, and the faint squeak of bed springs among them) have been painstakingly crafted to sound as realistic as possible. Moreover, the combination of these effects in a single space creates an enveloping sonic experience that has more than its share of memorable moments. While several scenes are a bit front-heavy, I continually found myself dwelling within the track's believable soundfield rather than listening to it as a casual observer.

When violence does erupt on screen, it arrives with aggressive LFE support and powerful dynamic presence. Gunfire pierces the soundscape with ease, physical blows have genuine heft and weight, and several standout sequences sound fantastic. Sure, the overall track is uneven and at-times underwhelming, but any shortcomings I encountered should be attributed to the film's reserved sound design rather than the technical prowess of its lossless audio mix. All things considered, newcomers and Cronenberg junkies should be equally pleased with everything they hear.

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