The Sweeney

The Sweeney" on Blu-ray, released by Entertainment One, boasts an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 2.40:1 ratio, showcasing the capabilities of the Arri Alexa camera used in its production. This results in a predominantly sharp image that highlights fine object detail impressively, notwithstanding a deliberate choice to envelope much of the film in cool blue tones typical of contemporary police dramas. This color grading, while atmospheric, occasionally diminishes some fine details, especially in the darker scenes that seem to rely on natural lighting. These segments exhibit minor shadow detail loss and a slight lack of clarity, yet the overall contrast remains robust and generally unaffected.

A notable flaw emerges during the opening credits with an evident banding issue during a sequence that simulates the effect of a flashlight roaming over objects in darkness. Although this banding is sporadically visible at other moments, it does not persistently mar the visual experience. The visual palette of London is rendered with a certain grittiness, often subdued by the use of fluorescent lighting, save for instances where colors burst forth vividly, such as in scenes involving blue jumpsuits in a warehouse raid or the red hues of nightclub lighting.

Despite occasional inconsistencies in fine detail and texture rendering across various scenes, the quality does not dip to unwatchable levels. Scenes shot with less than optimal lighting conditions or those that deliberately push color saturation to enhance mood and atmosphere do see minor compromises in visual integrity. However, these are far from detracting significantly from the overall viewing experience, leaving 'The Sweeney' as a solid presentation that mostly capitalizes on its technical merits while effectively conveying its gritty aesthetic through deliberate visual choices.

The Sweeney" brings to its audience an immersive auditory experience with its lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that is both bombastic and subtly engaging. The sound design excels across the board, offering a rich and dynamic sonic landscape that far surpasses mere background noise. The surround activity is impressive, particularly noted not just in action sequences but also in quieter settings such as the offices, where ambient sounds and dialogue demonstrate excellent discrete channelization. This meticulous attention to detail extends to the ambient environmental effects, tendering a palpable sense of aural depth that elevates the viewing experience.

The film's action scenes push the audio presentation into overdrive, with an impactful use of the LFE channel adding a visceral feel to shootouts and car chases. The dialogue, while crisp and clear, carries the burden of thick Cockney accents that may necessitate subtitles for some viewers. Furthermore, the score, which draws comparisons to Hans Zimmer's work on the 'Dark Knight' trilogy, fills the room beautifully, matching the on-screen intensity without overshadowing vital sound elements. However, it is worth noting that the vocal mixing leans towards the bass-heavy side, adding an exaggerated resonant quality to characters’ voices that occasionally distracts from the overall audio clarity.

The mix of musical scores and sound effects never feels disjointed; rather, it complements the visual storytelling with a soundstage that feels expansive. Despite this fullness, there's a noted absence of imaging in certain scenes, a minor shortcoming in an otherwise stellar audio presentation. The engineering team has succeeded in creating an atmospheric soundscape, from the echo of shotgun blasts in a raid to the cinematic rumble of squad cars, which although slightly overemphasized in bass, adds to the film's intense auditory identity. The detailed crafting of auditory elements ensures a captivating listening experience throughout "The Sweeney," although an adjustment in the bass levels could have refined the vocal clarity and effects balance even further.

The extras on "The Sweeney" Blu-ray present an amalgam of insights and behind-the-scenes looks, though they vary significantly in quality and depth. The extended EPK ("Behind the Scenes of The Sweeney") provides insightful interviews with the cast and crew, delving into the stunt work and the franchise's legacy, but sometimes meanders without a clear flow. The "Audio Commentary" is notably poor, lacking introductions for the speakers and offering little beyond what's covered in the featurettes—resulting in a disjointed and often frustrating listen. Several segments focus on the specifics of production, like "Preparing The Sweeney"'s discussion on adaptation without showing original series footage, or the excitement of "Shooting in Trafalgar Square". "Top Gear and the Caravan Park" stands out for its enhanced action sequence quality, thanks to the involvement of the "Top Gear" team, albeit without the expected cameo from show hosts. Animated storyboards offer insight but are overshadowed by the director's commentary than actual comparison. Overall, while there are flashes of in-depth production revelation and enthusiasm for the filmmaking process, the collection as a whole feels somewhat lacking in coherence and fails to consistently captivate or provide a comprehensive view of the film's creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind the Scenes of The Sweeney: An extended feature with interviews and insights into the film's production.
• Preparing The Sweeney: A look into the adaptation process and development phase of the film.
• Shooting in Trafalgar Square: Details on executing one of the movie's major action sequences.
• The New Regan and Carter: Interviews and clips exploring the dynamics between the two main characters.
• On the Shooting Range: Behind-the-scenes footage of the cast's firearms training.
• Top Gear and the Caravan Park: A feature on the collaboration with "Top Gear" for a car chase scene.
• Animated Storyboard – Trafalgar Square: A mix of storyboard comparison and directorial insight.
• Animated Storyboard – The Caravan Park: Similar to its Trafalgar counterpart, offering a glimpse into the storyboarding process.
• Audio Commentary: Commentary from the writer-director and unidentified producers, lacking intros and coherence.

The Sweeney," a contemporary adaptation of the iconic 1970s British television series, translates the gritty essence and fast-paced action onto the big screen but struggles to escape its small-screen origins fully. With Ray Winstone taking on the lead role of Jack Regan, head of the elite Flying Squad, the film injects a modern kinetic energy into the narrative while grappling with issues of morality among its police protagonists. This version introduces a more morally ambiguous Regan, engaging in theft and unprofessional relationships, deviating from his character's original portrayal. Despite these updates, the essence of "The Sweeney" remains - a depiction of hard-nosed law enforcement against the backdrop of London's criminal underworld.

The film opens with a high-octane scene that sets the pace for the ensuing drama, showcasing a mix of over-the-top action sequences and intense interactions among the squad members. Yet, amidst the gunfire and chase scenes, including a notably grand shootout in Trafalgar Square that pushes believability, the movie's core is somewhat diluted by an attempt to infuse drama through Regan's tangled personal life. The action often overshadows the plot, leading the film to tread familiar territory without offering much in terms of novelty or depth. Despite competent performances, especially from Winstone and his co-star Ben Drew (George Carter), "The Sweeney" finds itself entangled in clichés and predictable revelations that might leave the audience ahead of its twists.

Technically, "The Sweeney" benefits from its production values and solid direction under Nick Love. However, constrained by what seems to be a modest budget, it echoes many made-for-television aesthetics that somewhat limit its cinematic scope. Despite these limitations, the film manages to captivate through its well-staged action sequences and the gritty portrayal of London's criminal landscape. Yet, as it meanders through its storyline and delves into Regan's controversial actions and complex dynamics within the Flying Squad, "The Sweeney" attempts a balancing act between honoring its source material and striving for contemporary relevance that results in a mixed cinematic experience.

The Sweeney," an adaptation of the popular 1970s British television series, seemingly targets fans of the original with its modernized storyline and Ray Winstone's uncompromising portrayal of the lead character. While the film aims to reintroduce gritty British crime drama to a new audience, its execution falls short, coming across as a prolonged procedural cop drama that lacks the intended edge and originality. Despite this narrative shortfall, the Blu-ray release impresses with stellar video and audio quality, presenting the film in the best light possible. However, even with strong technical presentation, "The Sweeney" struggles to captivate, leaving much to be desired in terms of engaging content and fresh storytelling.

Critics and viewers alike note that while the film's aesthetics are commendable, the plot's predictability and lack of depth cause it to languish as a slightly below-average genre piece. The special features included in the Blu-ray, despite being described as generic and repetitive by some, still surpass the poorly executed commentary track that lacks clarity and professionalism. This aspect particularly undermines the overall viewing experience, suggesting a missed opportunity to enrich audience understanding and appreciation of the film through insightful behind-the-scenes content.

In conclusion, "The Sweeney" Blu-ray provides a high-quality audiovisual experience, yet the film itself does not sufficiently engage or entertain beyond its core fanbase. The attempt to modernize a classic series falls into the trap of predictability and fails to inject the necessary novelty or excitement into its narrative. Therefore, while technically commendable, "The Sweeney" is best recommended to die-hard fans of the original series or those with a penchant for British crime dramas, with a caveat on its limited appeal to a broader audience.