Why So Blu?

The Colony (Blu-ray Review)

Image Entertainment, has officially announced the release of The Colony on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download on Oct. 15, 2013 from Director Jeff Renfroe (One Point O).  Laurence Fishburne  (The Matrix), Bill Paxton (Aliens) and Kevin Zegers (Dawn of the Dead) headline an all-star cast in this savage and unrelenting thriller about mankind’s greatest enemy: himself.  The Colony opens as an endless winter engulfs Earth.  Humans struggle to survive in remote underground outposts.  When Colony Seven receives a distress call from a nearby settlement, Sam (Zegers) and Briggs (Fishburne) race through the snow on a dangerous rescue mission.  What they find at the desolate base could mean mankind’s salvation—or its total annihilation.  Terrifying discoveries will unfold that will change the rules of survival forever.  

Film  

The world has frozen and mankind struggles to survive underground.  These sub surface colonies have seen their numbers dwindle dramatically.  The colony is lead by Briggs (Laurence Fishburne) who has his colonists rationing food and watching carefully for signs of illness.  The common cold is terribly feared, as it has swept through the colony before.  When a colonist shows signs of sickness, they are tested, quarantined and given a brief opportunity to improve before they are given a choice.  The colony cannot risk and outbreak and does not have the meds to fight the illnesses.

They may take a bullet, or take a long cold walk – both choices leading to imminent death.  Mason (Bill Paxton) served with Briggs when the freeze began, and they both participated in relief efforts.  The long, hard days and nights seem to be getting to Mason and he has decided that those who are sick should be shot without a choice.  Briggs has rules and expects to see them followed.  He confronts Mason but before the issue can truly be dealt with he gets word that their sister colony has gone quiet.

Briggs decides to take two colonists and travel to the other outpost to see if they need assistance.  He takes a young man who volunteers and Sam (Kevin Zegers) who also volunteers and was the colonist to oppose Mason’s actions.   The three men make the tough journey across the icy terrain and reach Colony 5.  They learn that the colonists may have found an people who have put an end to winter, a dream come true for everyone left on Earth.  Unfortunately, they found more than they bargained for on their journey, and have attracted some terrifying and unwanted attention.

The tagline on the cover states “When the earth froze, the rules of survival changed forever”.  They had me at “When the Earth froze.”  Snowy movies are possibly my all time favorite and I’m excited to add a new movie to the snow collection on my blu ray shelf.  The fact that the film actually stars people I’ve heard of is just icing on the cake.  I had absolutely no idea that my snow movie would turn out to be an underground post apocalyptic slasher flick.  It’s everything I love in films, all in one package.  Laurence Fishburne is the perfect choice for the strong, but trustworthy leader of the colony.

Bill Paxton is also well cast as the morally compromised protector of the people.  Kevin Zegers is a great choice for the young hero and my only complaint lies with his girlfriend Kai.  My complaint is not with the casting choice, but with the fact that Kai’s hair it too well done and she wears makeup.  While Bill Paxton and Laurence Fishburne look worn and tired, Kai doesn’t fit the part.  I am pretty sure that it’s a rule after the apocalypse that women look like hell long before the men do.  Kai and Sam have a couple brief makeout scenes that are unnecessary and unappealing.

I’m happy that the film included a trek to the other colony, otherwise the glimpse of snow would have been brief.  As they travel past the ill fated weather modification towers, the film starts to have a real sci- fi feel to it, and I’m even happier with the film.  I frequently get burned by movies that had a limited theatrical release, or just a release I missed out on – but The Colony exceeds my expectations.

Video  

The Colony is presented on blu ray in 1080p high definition with a widescreen 2.35:1 ratio. The film is often dark, and bleak but always believable. The CGI effects blend seamlessly with the real life action and I spent no time focused on what was green screen and what was real. The color palette is understandably muted but there are many variations of pale that make you feel like the actors are isolated and suffering.

Audio 

The Colony’s audio presentation is just as important as the video for a film like this. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound does not disappoint – providing realistic wind whistling past you. Beneath the surface in the colonies the sounds of underground life are immersive and well placed.

Extras  

Although there is only one special feature it is of decent length and is worth watching.  I applaud them for not breaking it up into twenty special features just to make it seem like more.

• Behind the Scenes: Interviews with Cast and Crew – A look at the making of The Colony including special effects, the story and the characters.

Summary 

The Colony is like The Day After Tomorrow meets Resident Evil – and I truly enjoyed it.  It’s part thriller, part horror and all snow!  It’s fitting that it arrived just in time for my birthday because you would think that someone made this movie just for me.  Director Jeff Renfroe (One Point O) and Writer Patrick Tarr (American Psycho) have themselves a fan.  If you like these types of films, you’re going to love The Colony and I highly recommend the purchase to others out there (if there are any) with snowy Blu-ray collections.

Order your copy today!