BLU-RAY REVIEW

Awake

Picture4
SoundNR
WSR Score3
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):
Genius Products
(Catalog Number):
81640
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
language and intense and disturbing situation and brief drug use
(Retail Price):
$28.95
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
84
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
2007
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
11/18/08
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Joby Harold
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
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(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
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(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
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(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
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(Chinese Language):
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"Awake" is about the disturbingly real phenomenon of "anesthetic awareness"—in which surgery patients, though completely paralyzed, are conscious of everything they are experiencing, including the pain. When failed anesthesia leaves a rich young tycoon (Christensen) alert but immobilized during open-heart surgery, he overhears a devioius plot to have him killed. (Gary Reber)

Special features include audio commentary with Writer/Director Joby Harold; seven deleted scenes (91 minutes total); the "Under The Knife & Behind The Camera: The Making Of Awake" featurette (13 minutes); a Storyboard To Film Comparison (nine minutes); and the theatrical trailer.

The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture quality is generally good with deep, rich, solid blacks and well-delineated shadows. Colors are warm, with natural hues. Fleshtones appear natural in most scenes, though tones in some scenes seem a bit orange and griddy. Resolution is quite good, with closeups of faces and textures nicely defined. Contrast in some scenes is superb, with excellent highlights and inky blacks. Noise is noticeable but not objectionable. This is a pleasing picture, with some dramatic visuals that are sure to please. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is conventionally produced, with a well-recorded music score and dialogue that sounds natural but at times lacking support for spatial integration in the stereo and surround channels. Except for occasional directionalized effects, the music provides the surround envelopment. There are some dimensional surround effects that energize the experience but aggressive deep bass is lacking. (Gary Reber)