NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Kino's brings Robert Altman's neo-noir The Gingerbread Man to Blu-ray in Region 'A'. The 2 hour film is on a single-layered transfer in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The image can look thin and soft-ish although Altman films are rarely known for there crisp, glossy, visuals. There is no edge-enhnmacement although the image appears frail at times without much in the way of grain support. Colors are true and there is some sporadic depth. It is not the height of the 1080P format but the image is consistent and clean, looking pleasing-enough in-motion. Not a stellar image but this may be both the production and transfer limitations.

The audio transferred via the option of uncompressed DTS-HD Master tracks (16-bit) in both 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround, in the English language. There are some separations in the effects with gunfire and a seething score by Mark Isham (Little Man Tate, Of Mice and Men, Crossing Over, In the Valley of Elah, A River Runs Through It) sounding subtle and supportive in the lossless. There are optional English (see sample below) subtitles on this Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

Extras include the existing commentary by Robert Altman. He is at his usual informative and interesting self with details only the director would export making for a very worthwhile listen. Always a pleasure. There are also trailers including one for the film.

I had not seen "The Gingerbread Man" for at least a decade but I remember liking it - and I still do. It is not one of the director's most lauded efforts but its a cracker of a thriller with great performances and an impressive cast (Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downey Jr., Daryl Hannah, Robert Duvall, Tom Berenger, Famke Janssen etc.) in steamy Savannah, Georgia. Kino's Blu-ray does the job and the Altman commentary adds even more value. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze