King Arthur Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "King Arthur" on Blu-ray provokes a mixed reaction, characterized by notable inconsistencies and defects that detract from the overall viewing experience. On the positive side, this edition offers a step-up from the standard DVD, showcasing vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and an aspect of sharpness in high definition that brings certain elements of the film to life. Scenic portrayals like the green fields and crimson cloaks exhibit a striking richness that demands attention, with fire effects and outdoor scenes delivering a clarity and vividness that are particularly impressive. The AVC MPEG-4 codec at 1080p enhances these aspects, promising a visual feast that unfortunately falls short due to underlying issues.

However, this promise is undermined by various technical problems that manifest throughout the film. Compression issues, noticeable almost from the outset, suggest a mishandled transfer process where fine detail often suffers, marred by oversaturated colors and an unexpected amount of banding in foggy sequences. These color anomalies distort the natural appearance of the film, making scenes look artificial and unfortunately distancing the viewer from an immersive cinematic experience. Shadow delineation is subpar, which muddles depth and texture, a flaw particularly evident in darker scenes where differentiation between elements becomes challenging. Furthermore, consistency in detail and texture varies dramatically, with some shots appearing crisp while others are plagued by softness, disrupting the cohesion of the film’s visual narrative.

Moreover, though the release corrects some deficiencies seen in previous formats, it introduces new drawbacks that cannot be overlooked. Color banding and a lack of shadow separation contribute to a somewhat flattened image depth, and occasional print scratches alongside heavy grain at times overshadow the film's splendid visuals. Despite achieving high moments with its dynamic range and color saturation, these technical shortcomings render the video quality of "King Arthur" on Blu-ray as merely average when compared to other high-definition offerings in the market. This inconsistency not only disappoints but also sparks reflection on the potential lost in translation from theater to home viewing, making it a mixed bag for enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "King Arthur: Director's Cut" showcases a marked strength in its uncompressed PCM 5.1 sound format, a choice that has become somewhat of a staple for Disney's PCM releases. The comparison between the PCM track and the standard DD 5.1 track reveals a dramatic difference, with the PCM option providing a significantly expanded soundstage, enriched depth, and an impressive layer of ambience. Surround sound usage is executed with immersive precision, complementing the film's action sequences with deep, resonant bass and a variety of LFE effects. However, this robust audio experience is slightly marred by issues with dialogue clarity, where at times, speech becomes muddled and necessitates rewinding to grasp missed conversations—a notable flaw in a narrative-driven film where clear dialogue is crucial for story comprehension.

This edition also features a balanced 640kbps Dolby Digital 5.1 mix available in multiple languages, enhancing the accessibility of the film. The PCM track excels in its detailed channel movement and accuracy, from the rich texture of booms and crisp dialogue to the metallic clash of swords across the soundscape. The film's score particularly shines, with each instrument finding its place within the auditory landscape, syncing harmoniously with on-screen actions. This attention to detail extends to environmental sounds, ensuring even the subtlest of noises—like the crackling of flames—are distinctly audible. Despite these strengths, the audio package suffers from a cluttered mix during larger scenes, where an overemphasis on impact over clarity leads to confusion and detracts from the overall realism the film aims to portray.

In synthesis, while the audio presentation excels in technical quality, boasting impressive surround sound usage and detailed soundscaping, it is not without its shortcomings. Muddy dialogue and a sometimes overcrowded mix suggest a focus on auditory impact that occasionally undermines narrative clarity and audience immersion. These issues, alongside noted translation errors for non-English dialogue, slightly impede what is otherwise an exemplary audio experience in the realm of home cinema.

The "King Arthur" Blu-Ray extras compilation presents a mostly underwhelming array that struggles to deeply engage or significantly enhance the viewing experience. Antoine Fuqua's Director's Commentary disappointingly lacks depth and often succumbs to silence, failing to captivate or enlighten. Although marred by mediocrity, moments of redemption arise during discussions of the cast's dynamics, where Fuqua's insights into actor personalities provide fleeting interest. The Cast and Filmmakers Roundtable, while light on substantial content, shines through its display of camaraderie and humor among the participants, offering a glimpse into the off-screen chemistry. "Blood on the Land: Forging King Arthur" delivers little beyond surface-level making-of content, and similarly, the supplements suffer from a lackluster presentation in 480i resolution. The alternate ending emerges as a notable exception, presenting a darker, more resonant conclusion that arguably aligns better with the film's tone. The Knight Vision Trivia Track and Producer's Photo Gallery, though marginally engaging, do little to compensate for the overall mediocrity of the extras package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Director's Commentary with Antoine Fuqua: A commentary track that offers limited insight and entertainment.
• Cast and Filmmakers Roundtable: An engaging, albeit superficial discussion among key cast members and the director.
• Blood on the Land: Forging King Arthur: A basic making-of featurette that fails to delve deep into the film's production.
• Alternate Ending: A darker and potentially more satisfying conclusion to the film.
• Knight Vision Trivia Track: An interactive trivia feature offering tidbits about the movie as it plays.
• Producer's Photo Gallery: A collection of behind-the-scenes photographs showcasing the production.

"King Arthur," directed by Antoine Fuqua, attempts to carve out a unique niche within the extensive canon of Arthurian cinema by transporting Arthur and his knights back to Roman times, a decision that boldly diverts from traditional medieval settings associated with the legend. This narrative choice sets the stage for an interpretation of the Arthurian saga that aims for historical grounding over the mystical allure common to tales of Camelot. The film ambitiously endeavors to strip Arthur and his knights of their legendary sheen, aiming instead for a grittier, ostensibly more historically accurate portrayal. However, despite its intentions and the inclusion of battle-hardened characters like a warrior princess Guinevere and Merlin recast as an aged chieftain, "King Arthur" struggles to reconcile its historical aspirations with the grandeur and mysticism inherent to its source material.

The ensemble cast, led by Clive Owen's Arthur, delivers commendable performances within the bounds of the film's ambitious scope, even as some characters veer into caricatures of their legendary counterparts. Owen's Arthur is notably subdued, a divergence from the charismatic leader folklore celebrates, while Keira Knightley's fierce Guinevere and Ray Winstone's Bors bring moments of vibrancy to the screen. However, the pursuit of a darker narrative hue often results in characters and plotlines ensnared in a quagmire of seriousness and confusion. This struggle between historical gravitas and the need for cinematic drama unfortunately saps the movie of the momentum necessary to fully engage the audience.

Despite its narrative and character challenges, "King Arthur" does boast impressive technical achievements. Action sequences and battle scenes, backed by Jerry Bruckheimer's production, showcase dynamic cinematography and visual splendor. Yet, these high points are sporadically interspersed throughout a film that grapples with maintaining coherence amidst its lofty ambitions. The director's cut, or rather the 'Unrated Edition' as it might be more fittingly named, adds a veneer of intensity with extended scenes of conflict but does little to address the fundamental incongruences that mar the film. In sum, "King Arthur" is an attempt at innovation within its genre that commendably swings for the fences but ultimately falls short of revitalizing the legendary tale with the fresh historical perspective it seeks to embody.

"King Arthur: Director's Cut" on Blu-ray presents a mixed bag that leans heavily towards disappointment for general audiences while offering a sliver of redemption for ardent fans of Arthurian legend. The PCM soundtrack stands out as a commendable effort, delivering crisp and immersive audio that could have been a cornerstone for a much more compelling presentation. Unfortunately, this high-quality sound engineering cannot compensate for the Blu-ray's significant drawbacks. The video transfer, anticipated to be a major upgrade from the DVD version, falls short of expectations. Despite being a step up in resolution, it's marred by persistent technical issues that detract from the viewing experience. Furthermore, the film itself is presented with little to no improvement or revision, leaving the same narrative and directorial flaws in place without offering viewers new material or insights into the legendary tale.

The extras—or rather, the lack thereof—further cement this release as a missed opportunity. For a film steeped in rich lore and with a dedicated fan base eager for deeper insights and behind-the-scenes content, the absence of substantial bonus material is a sore point. This omission is particularly glaring when considering the potential for exploring the unique aspects of this adaptation of Arthur's story.

In conclusion, "King Arthur: Director's Cut" on Blu-ray fails to capitalize on both its medium's capabilities and its source material's depth. While it might hold some allure for the most dedicated King Arthur enthusiasts, eager for every interpretation of the legend, it remains an underwhelming release. The superb PCM audio does little more than highlight what could have been if equal care had been given to video quality and special features. As it stands, this Blu-ray is difficult to recommend for anyone beyond the hardcore fans, and even they might find it falls short of their expectations.