Road, The

In "The Road," a father (Mortensen) and his young son (Smit-McPhee) fight to survive after an unspecified apocalyptic event, traveling toward the warmer coast with the hope of possible food, safety, and the company of fellow survivors. Along their journey, with scarce shelter and resources available, they encounter many horrors and hardships and must endure the constant fear of roaming cannibals and other desperate gangs. Based on the book by Cormac McCarthy. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director John Hillcoat, a making-of featurette (SD 13:47), five deleted and extended scenes (SD 06:38) up-front previews, MovieIQ, and BD-Live functionality.

The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture is impressively stylistic, perfectly depicting what one might envision as a time of an apocalyptic environment. To view this film optimally requires an excellent display device with capable black level, as this is an extremely dark visual experience. Blacks are deep and shadows are dark and dimly perceptible at times. The color palette is desaturated with an emphasis on grays. Occasionally there are flashbacks to pre-apocalyptic moments, and everything appears perfectly natural and alive. Hues are naturally rendered with accurate fleshtones. Resolution is challenging in such dark, gray dim settings, and at times edge enhancement is unfortunately noticeable. Still during close-ups of facial features and object textures detail is rich and rewarding. The cinematography is a tour de force and impressively emotional. This is a fantastic visual experience that communicates the treacherous struggle to live in stark visuals. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is extremely well produced and effectively portrays the sounds of decay and the struggle to live. Every sound element is perfectly balanced with each other, providing a sense of stark realism. Low-frequency bass sets an almost foundation throughout, and at times, explosions and eruptions energize the .1 LFE channel with deeply shaking bass to below 25 Hz. Earthquakes and dead trees falling, and thundering rainstorms, are dynamic and fully engage SPL energies to system-threatening levels. The orchestral music score is brooding and projects a wide and deep soundstage that extends deep into the surrounds. Overall surround envelopment is aggressive, with directionalized sound effects. Low-level sound effects and Foley are impressive and enhance the realism. Dialogue is nicely integrated spatially and is intelligible. Viggo Mortensen's narrative is well balanced and is natural sounding. This is an engaging soundtrack that perfectly complements the grim storytelling. (Gary Reber)