The Film
The mere concept of post-apocalyptic film brings to mind a gritty world of bandits, struggles in day-to-day survival and colorful characters ala The Road Warrior and The Postman. Alas, compared to this story, based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, those previous apocalyptic outings are something of a true paradise. The Road instead is set in an even bleaker world, and the film's main character is anything but a warrior. This world also lacks the warlords, fiefdoms, or really any meaningful semblance of society or civilization. This story, which at times goes nowhere slowly, is a gritty and likely realistic look at what it would really be like to survive when all our modern comforts are stripped from us, and it is about just living hand to mouth. There is no wonder that Viggo Mortensen, as a desperate father, is eager to keep two bullets handy to make a quick end for his son and then himself.
For another trek down The Road, check out Joe Lozito's review.
The Picture
It is hard to really appreciate the visual aspect of this film as it is just painfully bleak. It is stated near the beginning of the film that each day is grayer than the last, and as the film rolls on there is little in the way of a discernable color palette. Like the father and son, who believe themselves to be good, the settings are more shades of gray than anything else. That said the 2.35:1 1080p presentation is far from a reference quality disc. Nothing really pops out and the visuals are fairly hazy. This could be the intention of the makers of The Road, but it fails to show off what Blu-ray can do.
The Sound
The 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack however is quite good, in part because this one lacks a truly bombastic score. This is a subtle movie, and even in the tense scenes it is the natural sounds, rather than any mood cues that set the tone. Thus when there is sound that is necessary to be heard, whether it is the sound of strangers in the distance, or the drops of rain at various times, it is crystal clear with excellent results. The few moments that are intense - such as gun fire or the sound of an earthquake - make a real impact as well.
The Extras
It would be safe to say that extras were left by the side of the road, and what's on the disc seems to have been picked over by scavengers. That might sound harsh, but besides a director commentary, a few extra scenes and a making-of there isn't much else in the way of bonus materials. This is a shame because a few other supplements could have really expanded on the film.
Final Thoughts
The day after the end of the world has been a staple setting for filmmakers and usually it is a fantastical world that is over-the-top and then some. The Road actually brings this setting back down to street level, and while it can be an exhausting film to watch, it really offers an interesting take on the day after. No doubt this Blu-ray won't be one often traveled in most viewers' players, but it will always make for a good trip.
Product Details
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