Director Christopher Smith has shown a
penchant for being able to grab audiences and confuse them at the same
time(TRIANGLE), and such is the case with his newest thriller, “BLACK DEATH.”
The opening scenes, displaying a variety of plague victims, sets the
gross factor on high, before the story really even begins.
Osmund, a young monk, is besieged with guilt as he has strong feelings for a
girl he’s known since childhood. Praying for guidance, Ulric,(Sean Bean) and his
fellow knights arrive, requesting help finding a town that has somehow has
managed to keep its inhabitants from obtaining the “black death.” Osmund sees
this opportunity as both a signal from above and the chance to find his girl.
Soon enough, however, he realizes there’s more to this quest than
imagined. The knights are actually seeking to find a girl, whose powers have
been raising the dead, and bring her to meet an obviously disturbing end at the
hands of the Bishop requesting this mission.
While the plot seems eerily
familiar to the recent “SEASON OF THE WITCH,” “BLACK DEATH”
is far better in every way. While it has some troubling flaws, most of which
have to do with what appears to be an ending that wasn’t well thought out, it’s
still highly entertaining until the last ten minutes. Although the end is a
disappointment, it’s not bad enough to ruin everything preceding it, and “BLACK
DEATH” is well worth renting, if not necessarily owning.
MAGNOLIA has provided the correct
2.35:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray. From
the opening sequence and throughout, colors are intentionally restrained. The
production design is impressive, and along with the color scheme and
compositions, helps to create a disturbing, somber environment, fitting the tale
at hand. Detail is often amazing. There is plenty of depth throughout, and
blacks are inky enough to retain detail, even in the frequently dark-as-night
sequences. A great looking transfer!
MAGNOLIA has provided a DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix.
Again, from the opening scenes, it’s obvious audiences are going to enjoy an
immersive experience. Discrete, panning and bass effects are well balanced with
dialogue, and there’s no distortion to be found anywhere. The lossy mix offers a
terrific sense of atmosphere and adds to the film’s growing tension, in a very
impressive manner.
MAGNOLIA has included plenty of extras,
making a decent film even more tempting to own.
While the “deleted scenes” don’t
really offer anything integral to the film, it’s still disappointing to find
they aren’t offered in full 1080p.
Cast and crew interviews with most
of the cast, may appeal to some fans, but the far too short, “HD NET: A LOOK AT
BLACK DEATH” is the best extra.
A theatrical trailer in full 1080p
is included, as well as a digital copy.
