Title: Flight (2012)
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc / Two Disc Set
Video: 1080p / AVC
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Subtitles: English SDH, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese
Run time: 139 minutes
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Region Coding: Region Free
Denzel Washington as Whip Whitaker
Tamara Tunie as Margaret Thomason
Kelly Reilly as Nicole
Bruce Greenwood as Charlie Anderson
John Goodman as Harling Mays
Don Cheadle as Hugh Lang
Peter Gerety as Avington Carr
Nadine Velazquez as Katerina Marquez
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Certain people can do the most extraordinary things under pressure despite some potential personal shortcomings and that is exactly the basis for Zemeckis' Flight. Captain Whip Whitaker has been a veteran pilot for commercial airlines for most of his life after learning how to fly as a child thanks to his grandfather's crop dusting company.
One day while on a routine flight with South Jet from Orlando, FL to Atlanta, GA Whip's flight, with 102 passengers, suddenly loses elevator control and the aircraft becomes stuck in a dive. After running out of options to stop the dive Whip decides that me must invert the aircraft so that the uncontrolled dive can be slowed, which will give him the time to level out the aircraft. He is able to set the plane down relatively safely in an open field with only four passengers and two crew members being killed in the crash.
Upon reviving from unconsciousness Whip is met with a hero's welcome and an ferociousness curiosity from the public to hear his story about what really happened on the flight. However, as the crash investigation unfolds the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) discovers some unsettling hidden facts about Whip's personal life. What begins as a potential act of heroism soon turns into a man's fight for his self-respect, honor, and life.
This is undoubtedly one of Zemeckis' best films to date. The script is flawless and the performances exemplary so do yourself a favor and give this one a watch. Due to profanity and nudity this one is not for children of any age.
Flight comes to Blu-ray with an impeccable 2.40:1 framed transfer. Color saturation is well done without any noticeable problems. Grain is light and consistent with noise never becoming a problem in darker sequences. Blacks are also completely resolved, which is important since many scenes occur in Whip's rural farm home, which is poorly lit. Fine detail is absolutely striking as well. I could almost count the hairs of on Washington's face and every texture incredibly vivid whether it's the dirt on his grandfather's old Cessna or the patterns of clothing that various people are wearing. There is no doubt that this transfer is of reference quality. My own screen captures from Flight can be found below.
Flight soars onto Blu-ray with a reference quality DTS-HD Master Audio track to match its perfect transfer. Dialogue is clear and concise even during the film's intense crash sequence. Channel separation between the fronts and surrounds is also well done and is most noticeable in the aforementioned crash scene. The surrounds also see plenty of discrete effects throughout the film as well as good balance of the film's score between them and the fronts. The LFE really has a chance to come alive during the crash sequence and be ready for it because it will light your sub up. I could not honestly not find anything wrong with this mix and I am sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
Flight arrives on Blu-ray with a minimal set of extras and I was hoping that Zemeckis would have recorded an audio commentary with the film. First up is an 10 minute interview with all of the key players in the origin of the story, which includes Washington, Zemeckis, and Greenwood. Next is a typical 11 minute making-of piece that features interviews with several different cast and crew members. Next is a seven minute look at how special effects were employed to simulate the crash sequence. Lastly, we are given a 14 minute Q & A feature with the cast and crew that is hosted by L.A. Times' John Horn. There is also a DVD copy located on a second disc as well as a Digital Copy code.
Movie: 8/10
PQ: 10/10
AQ: 10/10
Supplements: 3/10
Final Word: A Must Own
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