BLU-RAY REVIEW

Prodigy, The

Featured In Issue 240, June 2019

Picture4.5
Sound5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
M136367
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Violence, disturbing and bloody images, a sexual reference and brief graphic nudity
(Retail Price):
$34.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
92
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
5/7/2019
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Nicholas McCarthy
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Subtitles):

In "The Prodigy," Sarah (Schilling) is a mother whose young son Miles' (Scott) disturbing behavior signals that a dark force has overtaken him. But the line between Sarah's perception and reality soon becomes blurred when she must choose between her maternal instinct to love and protect Miles and a desperate need to discover the cause of his violent actions. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director Nicholas McCarthy; the featurettes "Story" (HD 01:26). "Genre" (HD 01:39) and "Miles" (HD 0:55); a gallery; the theatrical trailer; upfront previews; and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture is quite effectively visually haunting with good color fidelity throughout. Hues are naturally rendered and graded for a very realistic presentation. Lighting effects are effectively accentual to create stylized contrast with deep blacks and controlled shadows. The visual effect is creepy. At times, colors are accentuated and vibrant. Fleshtones appear natural. Resolution is excellent with detail exhibited in facial features, hair, beards, clothing and objects. Textures are nicely defined. This is a well-crafted horror movie that builds with mystery and horrific images. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is well crafted with an effective deep bass foundation that at times extends to sub-25 Hz frequencies. Atmospherics enhance the sense of realism surrounding the settings. Sound effects provide instances of sharp intensity to enhance the development of the horrific acts. The synthesizer and orchestral score is haunting and virtually constant. It has pervasive bass energy. The sound is spread wide and deep with an aggressive surround presence that envelops the soundfield. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with good spatial delineation. This is an effective holosonic® experience that delivers a haunting impact. (Gary Reber)