The Film
There are a ton of gritty cop movies out there; enough that it's practically its own genre at this point. So what makes End of Watch so special? Well, it's not the best of the bunch, but writer/director David Ayer has a certain knack for putting a spin on the action -- just like he did in another gritty cop drama, Training Day.
In End of Watch, we're invited to participate in a ride-along with Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Miguel Zavala (Michael Peña), two cops in South Central Los Angeles. Apparently, Brian is filming his adventures for some type of project, which we never learn too much about.
However, what you do learn is sometimes a little stomach-turning. That's not to say that this is another movie about crooked cops, even though some of their actions may be a bit questionable. Instead, it's more of just a "day in the life." It's a few days, actually -- and those are some pretty crazy days. There are gangs, guns, dead bodies, a little human trafficking, and at least one knife through the eye. In between, Ayer fills you in on the pair's personal life, but just enough so that you actually care.
You'll see some love, babies and a few practical jokes. Most of that will flash before your eyes, but that seems intentional. Sure, it would have been nice to get closer to the characters, but it's just a ride along. Don't expect your own badge and gun or anything. Those blips make some of the supporting characters a waste (more America Ferrera, please!), but Gyllenhaal and Peña make for an interesting pair and End of Watch is still a worthwhile ride.
Want to see a really gritty look of this movie? Check out Mark Grady's theatrical review of End of Watch.
The Picture
End of Watch uses various types of cameras to get the job done. Some of them are clearer than others, but none are particularly pretty in this 1.85:1 transfer. The colors are decent, but there's also a ton of shaky cam, drive-bys, and more. That leads to a lot of darkness, noise, and other moments that would normally warrant one star or less for this section. That said, it's obvious that this is exactly what the filmmakers intended and it's all part of the experience.
The Sound
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track fares much better. Even in the haziest, craziest moments, the dialogue is always clear. There's also a ton of gunshots blasting through the soundfield, as well as street sounds and a hip-hop-heavy soundtrack with a lot of good bass.
The Extras
Despite the accolades, End of Watch has pretty slim extras, with the gem of the lot being writer/director David Ayer's comprehensive commentary. Otherwise, there are 18 deleted scenes and a series of super-short 2-minute featurettes.
Final Thoughts
End of Watch isn't the best cop drama and it's certainly not the best Blu-ray. The way the film is presented may not sit well with Blu-ray purists, but it's all part of the ride. The extras section is the biggest offense here, but it's not worth passing this one up. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña deliver excellent performances that will intrigue any fans of the genre and make others appreciate what cops need to be prepared for on a daily basis.
Product Details
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