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Liability (The)
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - Metrodome Distribution Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (17th September 2014). |
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The Film
 ***This is a technical review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** In this business there are rules; hard, fast, unshakable rules that mean the difference between life and death... As the best hitman in the business Roy (Tim Roth) is only too aware of the perils of breaking this code but when the local crime boss (Peter Mullan) instructs him to take on an unlikely apprentice (Jack O'Connell) the rulebook is thrown out the window. The result is an explosive fight for survival which will see them employ every trick in the trigger-man's book to catch the most dangerous target they've ever faced. Welcome to the world of the professional killer... They had their turn... now it's his.
Video
Metrodome Distribution have released British thriller "The Liability" on to Blu-ray using the original aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The transfer is 1080p and uses an AVC MPEG-4 encode. Although far from reference quality, the transfer is reasonably good and generally competent. Filmed using a Red One MX camera, the film makers have opted to give the feature a muted and de-saturated look. This suits the tone of the feature perfectly, and although it can give the movie a bit of a soft look, it doesn't affect the level of detail. Close-up details are particularly strong, with blemishes in the skin, and Tim Roth's stubble showing fine structure. Mid-range details in the dark are shown off during the money hand over in a car park, whilst long range details of the wooded area, also look very good. Colours are also generally strong, even if the de-saturation gives a softer appearance. Lighter colours and various shades of black develop a strong sense of depth, and blues and greens in particular pop from the screen. There are a couple of issues to be found with the transfer though. There is some light edge enhancement present at times, and some minor banding once or twice, whilst slight motion judder can also be detected on occasion. There is no damage to the print, and no compression or encoding issues. The film is uncut and runs 85:59.
Audio
There are two audio options: - English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 - English LPCM 2.0 Stereo Straight from the start, the surrounds get utilised rather well when listening to the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. As Jack O'Connell drives his father's Mercedes at a furious pace, the engine noises, and the eventual skidding, pops through the surrounds, with some low-key roars rumbling through the LFE. Throughout the feature, environmental noises make themselves known through the surrounds, with light wind, or footsteps helping to develop an immersive experience. The score is rather formulaic, but is well handled. Dialogue is clear at all times, with channel separation and direction solid. There are no issues with the track, and although it won't win any awards for sound design, it is technically sound. Note the stereo track plays by default. Unfortunately no subtitles have been included.
Extras
Start-up Trailers: - "St George's Day" (2:03) - "The Fall of the Essex Boys" (1:26) - "Age of Heroes" (1:39)
Overall
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