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The Grey [Blu-ray]
(Joe Carnahan, 2012)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Open Road Films Video: Universal
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:57:32.587 Disc Size: 38,662,808,492 bytes Feature Size: 33,071,935,488 bytes Video Bitrate: 31.64 Mbps Chapters: 20 Case: Standard Blu-ray case with cardboard slipcase Release date: May 15th, 2012
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3702 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3702 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English (SDH), English, French, Spanish, none
Extras: • Feature Commentary by Co-writer/director Joe Carnahan and editors Roger Barton and Jason Hellmann• 6 Deleted Scenes (22:25) • DVD/ Digital Copy included My Scenes, D-Box
Bitrate:
Description: Liam Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors have only a few days to escape the icy elements and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt before their time runs out. *** Liam Neeson (Schindler's List, Taken) stars as the unlikely hero Ottway in this undeniably suspenseful and powerful survival adventure. After their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness, a roughneck group of oil drillers is forced to find a way back to civilization. As Ottway leads the injured survivors through the brutal snow and ice, they are relentlessly tracked by a vicious pack of rogue wolves that will do anything to defend their territory. Adrenaline-fueled, action-packed and loaded with some of the most intense and brutally realistic attack scenes ever filmed, The Grey is being hailed as "a thriller you can sink your teeth into!" (The Washington Post).
The Film: “The Grey” continues what has become a welcome seasonal movie tradition. For the past three winters, just when the Oscar nominees you’ve missed are trying to dazzle and guilt-trip you with visions of Importance, a lean and angry Liam Neeson shows up at the multiplex, out for righteous payback or at least the paycheck that no one would dare begrudge him. Buy a ticket, punk! Having paid his quality biopic dues as Oskar Schindler, Michael Collins and Alfred Kinsey, Mr. Neeson has, at least for now, turned to the rougher and perhaps more lucrative work of action heroism. It takes nothing away from his earlier achievements to note that he’s really good at it. He conveys a ferocious and absolute seriousness even when the going gets silly, and he finds the soul in each new angry-everyman cipher he is asked to play. Excerpt from A.O. Scott at the NY Times located HERE
" The Grey" is an unrelenting demonstration that wolves have no opinion. When they attack, it's not personal. They've spent untold millennia learning how to survive, naked and without weapons, in fearsome places like the Arctic Circle in the dead of winter. They aren't precisely unarmed; they have their teeth and claws, but how far would that get us, even if we had rifles?Excerpt from Roger Ebert at the Chicago Sun-Times located HERE
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. The Grey looks very thick and stylized on Blu-ray from Universal. The image quality shifts from the many flashbacks scenes to the snowy and dangerous present. This is dual-layered with a very high bitrate. A thick, textured appearance seems part of the original intent. I liked it. Contrast is well rendered - most of the film is shot outdoors in both daylight and ominous darkness - but noise was never a factor. Detail is impressive in the few close-ups. The film's look suited the story very well. We presume, that this is an authentic theatrical appearance and it has no digital manipulation that I could discern.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :Boo! - A rich DTS-HD Master 5.1 at a buoyant 3702 kbps has effect sounds roaming the room and popping up behind coffee tables, sofas and pinpointed to the back of the room. The original music by Marc Streitenfeld sounds haunting as it floats through the flashbacks. This is all good on the audio-front and subtitles are available. My Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras : Supplements offer a team commentary with co-writer/director Joe Carnahan and editors Roger Barton and Jason Hellmann dealing with multiple aspects of the film's creation. There are also 6 'Deleted Scenes' running a full 22-minutes, plus the package offers a DVD/ Digital Copy disc included.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze May 4th, 2012
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 5000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
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