BLU-RAY REVIEW

Detroit

Featured In Issue 223, January 2018

Picture4
Sound4
WSR Score5
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):
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
2344395
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Strong violence and pervasive lanuage
(Retail Price):
$$34.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
143 Minutes
(Color Type):
Color With B/W Sequences
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
12/12/2017
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Kathryn Bigelow
(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):

In "Detroit," a Detroit security guard is caught in the crossfire after a late-night police raid sparks a wave of violence that spirals out of control. (Gary Reber)

Special features include six featurettes: The Truth Of Detroit (HD 02:08), The Cast Of Detroit (HD 02:11), The Invasion Of Detroit (HD 02:06), The Hope Of Detroit (HD 01:14), Detroit—Then And Now (HD 01:33), and Algee Smith And Larry Reed: 'Grwo' (HD 03:35); a gallery; the theatrical trailer; upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed on film with Panavision cameras and digitally with the Arri Alexa Mini camera system and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The appearance is filmic throughout, with a gritty textural rendering that perfectly complements the chaotic situation. Picture quality is inconsistent, and the production is achieved with mostly hand-held cameras. The imagery is often softly focused, especially during rapid movement. Occasionally, archival video footage in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio is used to tell the story, and image quality is what it is––poor. Throughout, the appearance is edgy and gritty. There are segments, which appear truly high-definition, in which clarity and sharpness is revealed. The color palette is naturally hued throughout. Contrast is not always optimized, but generally black levels are decent as well as shadow delineation. Fleshtones consistently appear natural. Overall, the picture achieves an uneasy and strained visual tone. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack delivers an aggressive surround presence that is enveloping, particularly during the mayhem of rioting and gunfire, as well as vehicle movement and even during a scene in a performance venue. Deep bass is prevalent during action scenes through the main loudspeaker channels, with an occasional boost from the .1 LFE channel. Atmospherics are nicely captured and realistic, as well as sound effects such as powerful shotgun rounds and explosions. In the interior hotel scenes, the soundscape sounds claustrophobic and effectively realistic, while nuanced. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with excellent fidelity and spatial integration. The music score is a mixed bag of soul and orchestral music that is nicely presented. This is a fine soundtrack that perfectly complements the intense situations. (Gary Reber)