Why So Blu?

Hardcore Henry (Blu-ray Review)

Brace yourself for one of the most unflinchingly original wild rides when the adrenaline-fueled action hit Hardcore Henry arrives on Digital HD on July 12, 2016 and on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on July 26, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and STX Entertainment.  Filled with non-stop action and thrilling adventure, Hardcore Henry is the first film shot completely in first-person shooter perspective.  The Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD feature even more explosive thrills with deleted scenes and commentary with the director and actor/producer.  Be the first to own Hardcore Henry, starring Sharlto Copley (Chappie, District 9, Elysium), and immerse yourself in an exciting new world as you become the title hero!

Film 

Your name is Henry.  You only know that because your wife who has brought you back from the dead tells you.  But you’re in bad shape and there are people out to get you and her.  Ready to strap on your guns, face the various personas of guy who keeps popping up called Jimmy and kick some serious ass?  Welcome to Hardcore Henry.

In my theatrical review of Hardcore Henry I had written that it was one of those movies that’s hard to review – now on home video even more so.  Mainly because the first time out I saw the film was on a Digital XD Imax size screen and it was a feat to get through.  On the one hand making a film completely from the first person is an original and unique idea that has never been explored and on the other the film does also contain enough shaky cam to make even roller coaster lovers queasy – especially on a screen that size.  But watching the film on a smaller space I appreciated much more the fun of the experience, plus I noticed little physical and character details that I had missed on the big screen.

Best of Hardcore is definitely the multi-character work of Sharlto Copley, who dons the persona of a ton of very different dudes to give the piece some serious spirited sass.  Giving the film acting cred, Copley adds panache to a piece that could have been a surface affair.  Not that the base brawn factor isn’t front and center, as there are some visceral visuals taken right out of an arcade style shooting game that prove brutally brilliant.  (This one is produced by gun-loving Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov after all!)  But Copley works as the device that reminds folks to have fun – it’s just a movie.

I’m all for keeping things kinetic, but there’s also something to be said for rose stopping and smelling too.  With the arrival of Hardcore Henry now on a home format it feels like fans can finally have both.

Video 

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Clarity/Detail: Be it the cinematography or the transfer here this one is crisp and clean as they come.

Depth: Actually a ton, which is surprising from a film shot in the first person.

Black Levels: Thankfully only a few dark sequences – the filmmaker wanted you to see everything!

Color Reproduction: Gorgeous colors – look at that sky as you’re falling!

Flesh Tones: Lavish – look at Henry’s wife dammit.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean.

 

Audio 

Audio Formats(s): English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, DVS Dolby Digital 2.0

Subtitles: English SDH, English, Spanish, French

Dynamics: Like a video game come to life, the sound design is high octane.

Low Frequency Extension: Nothing notable – and that’s probably a good thing.

Surround Sound Presentation: You’re practically in the movie here – from all sides.

Dialogue Reproduction: This one is a tad muddy due to constant movement and Copley’s accent, but it’s acceptable.

 

Extras 

Blu-ray comes with Digital HD Copy

Audio Commentary

• With Director/Producer Ilya Naishuller (listen for the cop confrontation story!)
• With Director/Producer Ilya Naishuller and Star/Executive Producer Sharlto Copley

Deleted Scenes (SD, 7:57) – You get a set of four more deleted sequences with a cool POV garage fight and more Copley in camouflage.

Fan Chat (SD, 12:25) – Director Ilya Naishuller and Star Sharlto Copley answer fan questions – love when Copley says if you don’t like the film just watch him! (Indeed!)

 

Summary 

Surprisingly a much better experience the second time around on the smaller screen with a lush picture and sound transfer to match – Henry has more hubris at home.