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Welcome to the Punch (Blu-ray)
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - Entertainment One Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (21st June 2013). |
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The Film
 ***This is a technical review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** Ex-criminal Jacob Sternwood (Strong) is forced to return to London from his Icelandic hideaway when his son is arrested leaving the country and suffering from a gunshot wound. This gives Sternwood’s arch enemy, detective Max Lewinsky (McAvoy), his last chance to catch the man he’s always been after. As the two nemeses hurtle towards each other, they start to uncover a deeper conspiracy that both will need to solve in order to survive.
Video
Entertainment One present "Welcome to the Punch" at an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 using an AVC MPEG-4 encode. It's generally a cracking transfer, but there was certainly a couple of issues that shouldn't be present on such a new title. This issue, is screen judder. I first noticed this between 18:40 and 20:01 during the runtime, where there were several moments where the picture juddered for a split second. It wasn't overly noticeable, but is certainly annoying. Then, at 50:39, there is a disastrously horrible element of this judder once again, lasting at least a second, that you'd best get yourself off to an opticians if you didn't see it. Note, I have contacted Entertainment One about this, so hopefully it will not be an issue when it is released in six weeks. It may be a problem contained to check discs sent for review. I shall update this review should I hear back from Entertainment One. Other than the juddering issue, the transfer is almost of reference quality. The film uses blue hues throughout, which really suits the settings and the tones of the movie. Details are very sharp, especially during facial close-ups where you can see every bit of stubble and every freckle. During these close-ups, it becomes clear that there has been no digital noise reduction done, and everything, especially the skintones, looks natural (keeping in mind the blue hues).
Audio
There are two audio tracks included: - English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 - English Audio Descriptive LPCM 2.0 Stereo The 5.1 track was a joy to listen to and changes pace dependent on the scene. Dialogue based scenes are very much focused to the front speakers, though when the action kicks in, the surrounds are used to great effect. Most notable use of the speakers, is during the gunfight which takes place at the container yard. The bullets ricochet off the containers and the echoing effects are excellent, but never overpowering to the rest of the action on the screen. Some of the more subtle effects such as voices in wide open rooms (for example, the press conference near the start) are also very well done. Directionality is spot-on and volume levels consistent. The track could've been improved with making more use of some of the quieter environments, but there is nothing to complain about. There were no audio dropouts, no scratches and no background hiss. Optional subtitles are available in English HoH. White in colour, and larger than most blu-rays, they are clear and concise at all times.
Extras
Note: All extras are in HD. The first extra is a Q&A with director Eran Creevy, producer Rory Aitken and actor Mark Strong (18:36). Filmed on the 3rd March 2013 at an unmentioned location, the aforementioned participants are all good speakers. Creevy tells us a little about his first film Shifty, and his general influences from the heroic bloodshed movies made by the likes of John Woo and Ringo Lam. The questions transition between the three nicely, with each question building on the previous one. There's an amusing little anecdote where Creevy talks about the plans to keep Strong and James McAvoy apart on the set, so that the characteristics of their roles would come through better, but Mark Strong essentially said that they could just act these characteristics and so that plan fell through rather fast. Creevy talks about ideas that weren't filmed, mainly around additional character development, and Strong tells us about the difficulty in finding the right balance between the credibility of the characters and how much needs to be given away about them. Aitken also talks about the producing side of things and how he felt overwhelmed. Q&A's are fast becoming one of my favourite types of extras. We skip the more prepared feel found in interviews, and at the same time, skip standard answers. It gives the cast and crew a chance to seem more open and honest, and this Q&A was an enjoyable listen. Next up, a "Behind the Scenes" featurette (18:18). To be honest, it's a bit of a stretch calling this a behind the scenes featurette, when there is very little actual behind the scenes footage to be found. The featurette is in fact made up of interview footage that often plays over footage from the finished cut. The interviewees cover the majority of the major cast members including Mark Strong, Johnny Harris, James McAvoy and Andrea Riseborough. They discuss their characters and the roles their characters play in the story. It's a very well produced featurette and very interesting, though never really touches on things such as locations, technical aspects or effects. Still, it makes for a good viewing. The extras finish with a selection of trailers. Start-up Trailers: - "2 Guns" (2:28) - "RED 2" (2:25) - "Dead Man Down" (1:27) - "Snitch" (2:19) - "Mars" advertisement (0:32) Theatrical Trailer (1:50)
Overall
With the exception of films from Edgar Wright and Guy Ritchie, I've been disappointed with the direction of mainstream British cinema over the last 10-15 years (thanks Danny Dyer!). "Welcome to the Punch" may not be a great movie, but it is certainly enjoyable, and showcases some top British talent. I honestly think that mainstream British cinema will have a resurgence in coming years, thanks in part to many Hollywood films like Star Wars VII opting to be filmed at the magnificent Pinewood Studios, and thanks in part to emerging talent that are not afraid to make sure that production values are high. I look forward to whatever director Eran Creevy has in store next as he grows with experience.
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