• Login

    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Malcolm X

    Featured In Issue 166, April 2012

    Picture4
    Sound4
    WSR Score4.5
    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):
    Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number):
    3000035887
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    A scene of violence, and for drugs and some language.
    (Retail Price):
    $34.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    202
    (Color Type):
    Color With B/W Sequences
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    1992
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    01/31/12
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Spike Lee
    (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):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Filmmaker Spike Lee, actor Denzel Washington, and other top talents vividly portray the life and times of Malcolm X. "Here's a man who rose up from the dregs of society, spent time in jail, reeducated himself, and through spiritual enlightenment, rose to the top," Lee says. Based on the book The Autobiography Of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. (Tricia Spears)

    Special features on the Blu-ray Disc™ include the Behind-The-Story featurette: By Any Means Necessary: The Making Of Malcolm X with optional commentary by Spike Lee, Ernest Dickerson, Barry Alexander Brown, and Ruth Carter (SD 30:28); nine deleted scenes with introduction by Lee (SD 20:54); and the theatrical trailer. The packaging includes a 40-page booklet, the Blu-ray, and a bonus DVD that features the Malcolm X 1972 documentary (SD 01:31:35).

    Last reviewed in Issue 40, the anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD delivered a nicely crafted stylized picture, especially when compared to the LaserDisc reviewed in Issue 5. The DVD exhibited excellent image quality, with higher contrast than rendered on the LaserDisc. While colors on the LaserDisc bleed with no clarity or definition, hues were well defined and more naturally rendered on the DVD. Though the picture was sharp, some scenes were softly focused. Minor pixelization, artifacts, and edge enhancement was also noticed. Fine film grain was occasionally revealed. That was then, now with this Blu-ray Disc release the picture appears denser in color saturation, yet maintains the natural spectrum of hues intended. Contrast is consistent with deep, solid blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution reveals fine detail as never before. This a terrifically warm and colorfully rich visual experience that is the definitive home version. (Gary Reber)

    The DVD's Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel discrete remastered soundtrack was a subtle but noticeable improvement over the PCM matrixed audio on the LaserDisc. The soundfield seemed livelier on the LaserDisc but sounded better focused and dimensionally refined on the DVD, which was also "cleaner" sounding without background hiss present. Deep bass was adequate but otherwise undistinguished, and the .1 LFE was barely noticed. The dialogue was intelligible and reasonably integrated spatially. The multichannel soundfield was driven by the music, which imaged with remarkable depth and gentle surround envelopment. The newly remastered DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack reflects essentially the same sonic qualities but with better resolution of nuances and fidelity. Still, the sound is dated and the soundfield remains mostly restrained in terms of immersion and envelopment, though, there are segments in which the soundfield is energized. There is no reservation in acknowledging that this release is the definitive sonic expression of the classic film. (Gary Reber)

    Reason #19 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    I’ve been reading WSR since Issue 1. I have never had any problem, any misunderstanding, or any doubt about their published articles or interviews. They are absolutely thrust full. The articles look like a Master Business Course. It is a fantastic well-written magazine with brilliant topics, thanks to the capacity of the editors and their teams. Years ago, I discussed this in Las Vegas with a George Lucas THX engineer, and at the end of two hours he agreed with me. My information was based on all the WSR issues I had read.

    Luiz Antonio Picolo
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
    Copyright © Information • All Rights Reserved • www.widescreenreview.com • Web Site Established In 1995 • Privacy Policy • Partners