BLU-RAY REVIEW

Hands Of Stone

Featured In Issue 212, December 2016

Picture4
Sound4.5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Anchor Bay Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
BD64037
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Language throughout and some sexuality/nudity.
(Retail Price):
$$34.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
111
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
11/22/2016
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Jonathan Jakubowicz
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

Hands Of Stone follows the life of Roberto Durán (Ramirez), the Panamanian fighter who, with the help of his trainer Ray Arcel (De Niro) made his professional debut in 1968 as a 16-year-old, and retired in 2002 at the age of 50. In June 1980, he defeated Sugar Ray Leonard (Raymond) to capture the WBC welterweight title, but shocked the boxing world by returning to his corner in their November rematch, famously saying the words “no más” (“no more”). (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurette Roberto Durán: A Boxing Legend, A Nation's Pride (HD 23:33), nine deleted scenes (HD 10:42), two video versions of the title song “Champions”—one with lyrics featuring Usher (HD 02:26) and the other with lyrics featuring Ruben Blades (HD 02:32), upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture is stylized with a warm saturated color palette. Hues are richly toned, at times deeply saturated. Still, at times the contrast of colors and dark tones is visually effective. Night scenes, and some interior scenes, in particular exhibit this effect. Fleshtones vary a lot, depending on the stylization and the contrasting color levels, at times appearing unnatural and at other times perfectly natural. Contrast is often well balanced with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is generally excellent, with fine detail exhibited throughout in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture, The fight with Leonard in the ring exhibits excellent clarity and choreography, with exciting up-close visuals. At times the imagery is very digital and non-cinematic. This is a nicely produced visual experience, with saturated colors and deep black levels. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with at times raw commotion during intense fight scenes and wild audience reactions. Surrounds are actively engaged aggressively during such segments. Atmospherics are excellent and create believable realism. Foley sound effects also are quite realistic. Dialogue is a bit too forward and wanting in spatial integration. The music is lively, with a mixed bag of mestizos heritage. Rhythms are often very engaging. Also, there is a strong orchestral component to some segments. Overall, this is a satisfying soundtrack that effectively complements the storytelling. (Gary Reber)