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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Rampart

    Featured In Issue 167, May/June 2012

    Picture3.5
    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):
    Milan Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    ME-13556
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Pervasive language, sexual content and some violence
    (Retail Price):
    $29.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    107
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2011
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    05/15/12
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Oren Moverman
    (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 TrueHD 5.1
    (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):

    At the heart of Rampart is a riveting parable about what happens to a man who refuses to change, even when change is the only thing that can save him. That man is Dave Brown (Harrelson). Set in the 1990s, when scandal rocked the LAPD's Rampart division, the film hones in on a single fictional cop: Dave Brown, a man who has taken the "no guts, no glory" American mythos to heart, without questioning what it is doing to him and those he holds dear. He is a cop whose personal life is propelled into a dizzying downward spiral when he comes under suspicion for roughing up a suspect. More than just a police officer who plays things fast and loose, Brown exposes the inner workings of a certain type of personality everyone recognizes around them, a personality very much part of American culture, yet not often examined. He is the kind of man inexorably drawn to authority and power, yet seems destined to abuse it; a man who has dreams of being a great masculine hero, yet is beholden to women; who has undeniable charm, yet whose stubborn refusal to take responsibility for his actions becomes a destructive force against family, community, and ultimately himself. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette (HD 30:05) and up-front previews.

    The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture was digitally shot, with a rawness enhanced with an over-saturated color palette. While hues are bright, the visuals impart an intensity that is unnatural in appearance. Fleshtones are generally realistic and naturally hued. Contrast is uneven, with crushed blacks and deficient shadow delineation. Resolution is terrific, with fine detail exhibited in facial features, hair, clothing,g and object texture. The imagery is consistently sharp and pristine. Overall, this is a stylized presentation that exhibits a rawness that may appeal. (Gary Reber)

    The Dolby® TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is generally mediocre, with a generally frontal focus and occasional surround intensity. Ambiance and sound effects are realistically presented, but there is nothing exceptional, and surround envelopment is wanting throughout. Dialogue sounds natural and generally well integrated spatially. The music score is supportive but pretty much stays in the background. While the soundtrack does occasionally pump, the overall response lacks dynamic impact. (Gary Reber)

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    Moira Joblan
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