BLU-RAY REVIEW

Rover, The

Featured In Issue 190, October 2014

Picture4.5
Sound4
WSR Score3.5
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):
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
45971
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Laguague and some bloody violence
(Retail Price):
$24.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
102
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
2014
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
09/23/14
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
David Michod
(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):

"The Rover" is set in a world 10 years into the general collapse of society. The story follows hardened loner Eric (Pearce) as he travels the desolate towns and roads of the Australian outback. When a gang of thieves steals his car, they leave behind a wounded Rey (Pattinson). Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that still matters to him. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the "Something Elemental" featurette (HD 44:48), upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 1080p AVC picture is cinematic with a stylized, rugged look that depicts a desolate existence. The color palette is naturally hued throughout, with sweat and dirt-impacted fleshtones. Contrast is well balanced with blacks and shadows, exhibiting a dark presence during night scenes and inside dilapidated buildings. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. This is an art house visual experience, with excellent cinematography that perfectly captures a desolate existence with society in collapse. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is considerably quiet, with bursts of gunfire and violence that sounds perfectly natural. While atmospherics and sound effects are subtle and nuanced with occasional segments of surround, the synthesized and unusual pop music score delivers an immersive surround presence. Dialogue sounds natural, but the Australian dialect is at times unintelligible. Still, dialogue is decently integrated spatially. This is a hauntingly mood-driven sonic experience that creates an eerie sense of horrific existence. (Gary Reber)