The Messengers (Bluray)
Reviewed By: Brad Pipkins
Video Format(s): 1.85:1 1080p
Audio format(s): Uncompressed PCM 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller, John Corbett
Directed by: Danny and Oxide Pang
Release Date: 6/5/2007
General
What happens when you’re a teenager and you do something wrong? You’ll probably get punished for it. Or, if you live in Hollywood, your mom and dad will move the entire family to an abandoned-looking building out in the middle of nowhere. Sound familiar? It should, because it’s been done a hundred times over.
The Messengers is pretty much summed up in the above paragraph. Jess, the main character, has troubled-teen syndrome written all over her face from the beginning of the movie onward. So her family moves out to the middle of nowhere, hoping to start a…. wait for it… SUNFLOWER FARM! That’s exactly the plan I intend to put into place if/when I have a troubled young daughter. Anyhow, once the family arrives, strange things start happening to Jess. She hears things, sees things and is actually attacked by paranormal beings inside the house. At one point her parents suspect something, and Jess tells them the truth. Of course, it wouldn't be a movie if her parents believed her... and they don't! They believe she is hurting for attention, and have completely ignored all the signs that they themselves have seen.
The story is gimmicky at best, as we never real feel the need to care about any of these characters throughout the story.
Tech Specs Video: While my thoughts on the movie aren’t that great, I can’t say the same about the video. Everything about this transfer is top notch. Blacks are deep, colors are rich, and overall detail is so high that the transfer creates that “3-D pop” that we have become so accustomed to with great HD transfers. It’s worthy to note that some scenes contain some blown-out whites, but this was likely an intentional effect. Overall, The Messengers offers up a reference video transfer.
Audio: The audio on this disc, like the video, didn’t disappoint either! I only listened to the Dolby Digital track as I’ve yet to upgrade to a PCM capable receiver, but even the standard Dolby track sounds phenomenal! Surround usage is incredibly aggressive with lots of pans around the room, and the bass will certainly provide a tactile feel with a capable subwoofer. Probably the most impressive aspect of this transfer would be the overall character of the sound. There’s a scene in the film where the on-screen actions indicate someone is upstairs. I’ve heard reverb and such effects before, but the sound designer for this film must be on another level as it sounded like someone was directly above me! I listened to that scene more than a dozen times and am still in awe! I can only imagine the uncompressed PCM track improving on this reference Dolby Digital track.
Extras
Not many special features here. “Exhuming The Messengers” contains 7 featurettes in full screen, as well as a cast and crew commentary. Overall though, it’s pretty bare bones.
Menus/Navigation
The pop-up menus were easily navigated and contained some pretty cool special effects. Even so, this menu still feels like it belongs on a DVD.
Overall Impressions
While the movie may not hold to most of the older crowd (as we’re certainly not the target audience), I’ve heard from some younger people that rather enjoyed it. It showed promise in the trailers, as well as the fact that two of Japan’s finest directors, brothers Danny and Oxide Pang, directed it. For those who have seen their Japanese movie, The Eye, you know how capable they are of directing horror. As it stands, The Messengers is nothing more than a worthy rental.
Linear Mode
