BLU-RAY REVIEW

Traffic

Featured In Issue 114, November 2006

Picture3
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):
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
31285
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
For pervasice drug content, strong language, violence, and some sexuality
(Retail Price):
$29.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (HD-30)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
147
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
(Theatrical Year):
2000
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
09/12/06
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Steven Soderbergh
(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):
Dolby Digital+ 5.1, Dolby Digital+ 2.0 Stereo
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

About the many steps in the thorny chain of drug dealing, "Traffic" follows the route of those involved in the movement—or thwarting—of illegal drugs. From the high school kid who does it, to her dealer, to his supplier, to the sources in Mexico. On the other side of it is the country's new "drug czar," the DEA agents, and the Tijuana police officer who straddles the fence. This excellent film, based on the U.K.'s Channel 4 Television program "Traffik" created by Simon Moore won Oscars® for its director, Steven Soderbergh, supporting actor, Benecio Del Toro, screenplay and film editing. Watch for cameos by California State Senator Barbara Boxer. (Laurie Sevano)

Special features include a 19-minute behind-the-scenes featurette Inside Traffic with cast insights, a photo gallery, the teaser, theatrical and German trailers, and TV spots.

As intended by the filmmakers, the stylized VC-1-encoded 1.85:1 HD DVD picture features differing color schemes depending on the location. The entire presentation is void of highly resolved fine details. (Danny Richelieu)

The Dolby® Digital Plus 5.1-channel soundtrack is not overly exciting, although bass is delivered well through each of the channels, although the noise floor is low, dialogue and effects are generally well recorded, and the sound matches the storytelling nicely. (Danny Richelieu)