Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

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Audio:

• 17 Deleted Scenes (46:41)

• DVD and Digital Copy Included

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Description: From the writer of Training Day comes a gripping, action-packed cop drama starring Academy Awardr nominee Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena. In their mission to abide by their oath to serve and protect, Officers Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Pena) have formed a powerful brotherhood to ensure they both go home at the end of watch. But nothing can prepare them for the violent backlash that happens after they pull over the members of a notorious drug cartel for a routine traffic stop. Seen from the point of view of the officers, gang members, surveillance cameras, dash cams and citizens caught in the line of fire, a 360 perspective creates a gritty, compassionate and intense portrait of the city's darkest streets, and the brave men and women patrolling them.

***

David Ayer's End of Watch stars Michael Peña and Jake Gyllenhaal as a pair of L.A. cops and close friends who work to keep the streets safe. Shot in a found-footage style, the movie follows the duo as they make enemies with a major drug cartel and attempt to lead happy personal live

 

 

The Film:

"End of Watch" is one of the best police movies in recent years, a virtuoso fusion of performances and often startling action. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña are Taylor and Zavala, two Los Angeles street cops who bend a few rules but must be acknowledged as heroes. After too many police movies about officers who essentially use their badges as licenses to run wild, it's inspiring to realize that these men take their mission — to serve and protect — with such seriousness they're willing to risk their lives.

Excerpt from the Roger Ebert at the Chicago Sun-Times located HERE

An ode to beat cops and the expansive literature on them, David Ayer’s “End of Watch” is a muscular, maddening exploitation movie embellished with art-house style and anchored by solid performances. As visually kinetic as it is politically dubious, it sings the song of two Los Angeles police officers, Brian (a good Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike (an equally fine Michael Peña), brothers in blue who roll in a black and white. Like the cops in Joseph Wambaugh’s 1970 novel “The New Centurions” they are soldiers amid, in Mr. Wambaugh’s roll call, “whores, flimflammers, paddy hustlers, hugger muggers, ex-cons of all descriptions, and anybody else with a kink of some kind or other.”

Excerpt from the NY Times located HERE

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

End of Watch arrives on Blu-ray from Universal. Shot on HDV - documentary style with a 35mm printed format - the 1.85:1 visuals are via a kinetic, fast-cut style supporting some verité impressions. It may have a bit too much motion for some although it settles during important scenes - with the cinematography running -in-line with the narrative.  It worked on this reviewer.  This is dual-layered and has some of the weaknesses of the HDV format with light flares (noticeable in the evening patrols) but very little noise issues. Characters can tend to carry that waxy appearance of HDV but I would say its overly noticeable. Daylight scenes are more impressive with a crispness to the detail. This Blu-ray with its high bitrate - does a very accurate job of replicating the theatrical experience. The transfer has no flaws that I can discern.

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio is via a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3612 kbps. It handles all the intensity and canon-like gunfire extremely well. The bass is solid and punchy. David Sardy's original score as well as a soundtrack cornucopia of musicians like Public Enemy, Puscifer, Golden Earring, and Chalino Sanchez come through with in-your-face appeal suitable to each scene. Like the film this track can overwhelm with its impact-ful nature - bombing your eardrums with the realism of the situations. There are optional subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

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BOTTOM LINE:
Wow - visceral, intense... "End of Watch" is quite the experience. Ayer pieces this together extremely well. He crafts the character development and danger elements to give maximum effect. I was very pleased with this film - so much better than I was anticipating. This is a very worthy expereince and the Blu-ray provides a solid, immersive presentation. This will be worthy of multiple repeat viewings. Strong thumbs skyward. 

Gary Tooze

January 16th, 2013