While certain studios and certain features have excelled on the high-definition format, many companies have updated their back catalogs to Blu-ray only to give them a half-hearted, lazy effort, leaving special features in standard definition, if bringing them over at all, with sub-par updates of the feature itself. When studios are asking that film fanatics pay an average of $10 more for the format, it seems almost a slap in the face not to upgrade the entire package to make it worthwhile. The epitome of that half-assed effort to date may be Misery, which doesn’t even pretend to be a full HD release, instead leaving the commentary and extras to a DVD included with the Blu-ray feature.
It is hard to discredit the feature itself. Rob Reiner’s adaptation of Stephen King’s inward-looking thriller Misery helped cement Kathy Bates as an unforgettable and truly Oscar-worthy actress. It also does an incredible job of making use of only two main characters in a limited setting, still building an incredible amount of tension and disturbing moments in part due to Bates, in part due to James Cann and in part due to a great adaptation of King’s language. As Annie Wilkes holds her favorite author, Paul Sheldon, hostage while slowly unraveling as a psychopath, it creates a white-knuckle rollercoaster that is the envy of thrillers today.
The high-definition update of the film itself provides crystal-clear video, with only some fine film grain noticeable. Though in some instances it shows all too clearly the soft focus and heavy make-up on close-up shots of both leads, leaving a somewhat unnatural look. Yet it also highlights some good makeup work as far as things like wounds go. In general it provides a younger look to the film and the characters always stand out prominently. Likewise, the audio keeps the dialogue incredibly crisp, while offering a great mix of the haunting soundtrack and cringe-worthy sound effects.
Where the Blu-ray release goes wrong is with the special features. The Blu-ray disc is completely void of them. Instead of even putting the commentaries or any extra material on the hi-def disc, even in standard definition, MGM simply tosses in what amounts to the collector’s edition DVD. While that DVD does include two informative commentaries and a wealth of psychological featurettes analyzing Bates’s character and real-life stalkers, fans of the film might as well just purchase the DVD. People buying Blu-ray want it in high definition…ALL OF IT. Why does one need to switch to standard definition to listen to a commentary with the feature? With 50 GB available on a dual-layer Blu-ray, it must be sheer laziness and low-cost production that leads to a collection like Misery. While the film is a great thriller, and the hi-def update of the feature is handled well, simply tossing in an extra DVD is almost insulting to the film and its fans.
Special Features:
-The Misery Blu-ray disc is presented in 1080p high-definition 1.85:1 aspect ratio video; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and French 5.1 DTS audio; with English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles
-The feature is also included on a DVD with English 5.1, Spanish and French Dolby Surround; with English and Spanish subtitled and closed captioning
All of the following special features are included on the DVD:
-Audio commentary by director Rob Reiner
-Audio commentary by screenwriter William Goldman
-Misery Loves Company Featurette
-Marc Shaiman’s Musical Misery Tour Featurette
-Diagnosing Annie Wilkes Featurette
-Advice for the Stalked Featurette
-Profile of a Stalker Featurette
-Celebrity Stalkers Featurette
-Anti-Stalking Laws Featurette
Title: Misery [Blu-ray]Starring: James Cann, Kathy Bates
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Studio: MGM, Castle Rock
Release Date: Sept. 15, 2009
Rating: 6 / 10
About the Writer:
Bill Jones is the editor-in-chief of padsandpanels.com, a site dedicated to the coverage of comics and games.
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