All you GearHeads are getting a Twofer’ today. We’re rolling out our first “Next Gen” DVD review, also from here on out expect all reviews to be shorter and more to the point…
The whole idea behind gearcritech was to get away from the UBER long IGN-ish updates and reviews… Seems like we actually ended up doing the opposite. Who honestly reads those super long reviews??? I sure don’t.
Enough of my yammering… Let’s get on with it.
Film and Features
This was the smash hit from a few years ago that earned Jamie Foxx an Oscar in 2004 and pretty much rejuvenated the whole “biopic” craze. This film however was special because Ray Charles himself had a fair deal of input before he actually passed away. Not only that but Foxx is a classically trained pianist and a master impressionist. Which in the end worked out to be a match made in heaven. The film follows Ray Charles through his early childhood and on through his early turbulent career.
Just a great film all around, shot well, written well… whether you like the music of Ray Charles or not.. I guarantee you’d be tapping your foot by films end. The film also has a healthy amount of special features including:
• Feature length Director’s commentary
• 27 Mins. of deleted scenes with optional Directors commentary
• Extended musical performances from the film.
• 6 film featurettes.
Great extras overall, only gripe is that some of the featurette content is re-used quite a bit throughout the other featurettes.
- Rating: 4 out of 5
Tech Specs
This film looks GREAT! which is surprising since the DVD release had a sub-par picture. The majority of this flick is crystal clear, the smallest details are showcased in beautiful “High Definition”. The flash back scenes have some softness and small pockets of noise but it’s obvious that those effects were intentional.
The Sound on this bad boy is also top notch. The musical scenes are exciting and engaging! Everything here is what you’d expect from a Musical Biopic.
- Rating: 4 out of 5
Overall Review
Unlike most other HD DVD showcase films this one looks good and is enjoyable to watch. While it may not have the blinding sharpness and overall video quality of a Aeon Flux or The Chronicles of Riddick… The film looks beautiful, is shot wonderfully and is actually watchable…
Some of these image quality whores crack sacrificing content over quality… kinda mirrors the Game industry don’t ya think?
Anyhow if you have a HD DVD player… Buy Ray…
- Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
Ray (HD-DVD)
Film and Features: 4
Technical Specs: 4
Overall Review: 4
Studio: Universal
Genre: Biopic
Aspect: 1.85:1
Audio: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1
Buy Ray on HD-DVD
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