There Will Be Blu-ray

I saw P.T. Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" earlier this year in one of those "state-of-the-art" cineplexes. It was a travesty. The print looked like upconverted DVD, had significant gate weave, and the blacks had all the consistency of chocolate milk.

The film itself was glorious. Much has been said about the award-winning performances, the direction, the music, etc. There are rumors that Anderson is setting his sights on doing a horror film as his next project. I submit that this is his horror film.

It is not a film for the squeamish: while it does have a few moments of violence (and ultimately lives up to its title), the real brutality is conveyed through the script's dialogue and dramatic sequences. It's a study of the corruption of the human spirit, fueled by greed and an obsession with competition - winning at all costs. The first 14 minutes unfold without dialogue. Pure cinema.

So, when the HD-DVD of TWBB was canceled, I prayed to the Home Theater Gods that the Blu-ray was not far behind. And on June 3, it arrived.

The Blu-ray is everything the film print I saw should have been: sharp as a tack and sporting a rock solid image. The contrast during the opening sequence is still a bit milky, but the balance of the film looks wonderful. The audio now sounds like a true 5.1 mix and not like the Dolby Pro Logic-sounding mush that the theatrical experience provided. Extras are sparse, but the real bonus is seeing this impressive work in a way that truly honors the achievements of all involved in its creation. Watching this on a 92-inch screen was truly breathtaking.

"There Will Be Blood" on Blu-ray is highly recommended.