Blu-ray Review: Bridge of Spies
THE SET-UP
Based on true events, a Brooklyn lawyer
(Tom Hanks) is sent to East Germany on a secret mission to negotiate
the release of U-2 spy plane pilot Gary Powers, after his shoot-down
and capture by the Russians. Also stars Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and
Alan Alda.
(Tom Hanks) is sent to East Germany on a secret mission to negotiate
the release of U-2 spy plane pilot Gary Powers, after his shoot-down
and capture by the Russians. Also stars Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and
Alan Alda.
Directed by Steven Spielberg.
THE DELIVERY
The evolution of Steven Spielberg as a
master storyteller continues, as the celebrated director delivers
another period piece that excels in its emotional details rather than
tentpole dramatics. Bridge of Spies builds slowly and deliberately,
but delivers a powerful and satisfying conclusion, even if you
already know the outcome.
master storyteller continues, as the celebrated director delivers
another period piece that excels in its emotional details rather than
tentpole dramatics. Bridge of Spies builds slowly and deliberately,
but delivers a powerful and satisfying conclusion, even if you
already know the outcome.
Based on the prisoner exchange that led
to the release of captured American pilot Gary Powers, Bridge of
Spies is rather understated, despite the high profile, historical
subject matter. The obvious Spielberg touches that defined his early
films aren’t completely gone, but they are far more subtle and
nuanced, and a more mature method of storytelling has emerged.
to the release of captured American pilot Gary Powers, Bridge of
Spies is rather understated, despite the high profile, historical
subject matter. The obvious Spielberg touches that defined his early
films aren’t completely gone, but they are far more subtle and
nuanced, and a more mature method of storytelling has emerged.
Despite his superstar status, Tom Hanks
has a knack of capturing enough of his character to keep the
suspension of disbelief intact. He becomes James Donovan enough that
the illusion is maintained. Like the rest of the film, Hanks’
performance is wonderfully restrained, yet providing the appeal the
protagonist needs to elicit from the audience.
has a knack of capturing enough of his character to keep the
suspension of disbelief intact. He becomes James Donovan enough that
the illusion is maintained. Like the rest of the film, Hanks’
performance is wonderfully restrained, yet providing the appeal the
protagonist needs to elicit from the audience.
The real star of the film, however, is
Mark Rylance, whose performance as accused Russian spy Rudolf Abel
earned an Oscar nomination. Even though he is missing for much of the
second half of the film (as the plot shifts from Abel’s court case
to the negotiations to release Powers), his character is vital to
making the film work.
Mark Rylance, whose performance as accused Russian spy Rudolf Abel
earned an Oscar nomination. Even though he is missing for much of the
second half of the film (as the plot shifts from Abel’s court case
to the negotiations to release Powers), his character is vital to
making the film work.
Post-Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg has
become focused on the historical drama, with Munich, Lincoln, and War
Horse all fitting into his current cinematic obsession. Each of those
films featured Spielberg’s more seasoned storytelling, but it isn’t
always perfect. In the case of Bridge of Spies, the narrative is
often too pedestrian; I almost wished for the bombastic Spielberg of
the past to show up and jolt me out of my seat. I couldn’t help the
feeling that there is far more suspense and drama in this tale that
is left unexplored. That seems to be the intent of Matt Charman, as
well as Joel and Ethan Coen, who crafted a clever, Oscar-nominated
script that never feels the need to play up the dramatics. On the
plus side, Spielberg managed to capture the look and feel of the Cold
War era of the early 1960s.
become focused on the historical drama, with Munich, Lincoln, and War
Horse all fitting into his current cinematic obsession. Each of those
films featured Spielberg’s more seasoned storytelling, but it isn’t
always perfect. In the case of Bridge of Spies, the narrative is
often too pedestrian; I almost wished for the bombastic Spielberg of
the past to show up and jolt me out of my seat. I couldn’t help the
feeling that there is far more suspense and drama in this tale that
is left unexplored. That seems to be the intent of Matt Charman, as
well as Joel and Ethan Coen, who crafted a clever, Oscar-nominated
script that never feels the need to play up the dramatics. On the
plus side, Spielberg managed to capture the look and feel of the Cold
War era of the early 1960s.
Bridge of Spies is a fine movie, and it
is deserving of its six Oscar nominations. I had hoped for a sort of
“living history” film that envelops you the way Saving Private
Ryan or (to a lesser extent) Catch Me If You Can did. Instead, Bridge
of Spies is a smart hybrid of documentary and college lecture on one
of the key events of the Cold War. It builds a bit slowly, but the
payoff is worth it all.
is deserving of its six Oscar nominations. I had hoped for a sort of
“living history” film that envelops you the way Saving Private
Ryan or (to a lesser extent) Catch Me If You Can did. Instead, Bridge
of Spies is a smart hybrid of documentary and college lecture on one
of the key events of the Cold War. It builds a bit slowly, but the
payoff is worth it all.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
Bridge of Spies sports an excellent
high-definition video transfer, with nice detail. Minimal, and
seemingly deliberate, film grain is present in the image, but even a
muted color palette looks great in the video. The soundtrack is a 7.1
DTS HD mix, with fantastic clarity that is evenly distributed
throughout the channels. When necessary, the low end is quite
effective.
high-definition video transfer, with nice detail. Minimal, and
seemingly deliberate, film grain is present in the image, but even a
muted color palette looks great in the video. The soundtrack is a 7.1
DTS HD mix, with fantastic clarity that is evenly distributed
throughout the channels. When necessary, the low end is quite
effective.
SPECIAL FEATURES
History buffs in particular will love
the special features on the Blu-ray, which provide more background
into the story. The extras are as follows:
the special features on the Blu-ray, which provide more background
into the story. The extras are as follows:
“A Case of the Cold War: Bridge of
Spies” featurette. The making of the film is featured here, with
Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, screenwriter Matt Charman, and members
of the cast all providing interviews. Running time: 17:45.
Spies” featurette. The making of the film is featured here, with
Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, screenwriter Matt Charman, and members
of the cast all providing interviews. Running time: 17:45.
“Berlin 1961: Recreating the Divide”
featurette. Spielberg and members of the crew discuss recreating the
construction of the Berlin Wall and capturing the look of 1960s
Berlin. Running time: 11:35.
featurette. Spielberg and members of the crew discuss recreating the
construction of the Berlin Wall and capturing the look of 1960s
Berlin. Running time: 11:35.
“U2 Spy Plane” featurette. The
history of the U2 spy plane, as well as the filming of Gary Powers
being shot down over Russia, is explored. Running time: 8:45.
history of the U2 spy plane, as well as the filming of Gary Powers
being shot down over Russia, is explored. Running time: 8:45.
“Spy Swap: Looking Back on the Final
Act” featurette. Gary Powers, Jr. discusses his father’s ordeal
and the events leading up to the swap. Frederic Pryor, the student
also held by East Germany and was part of the swap, is interviewed.
Also featured is the filming of the prisoner exchange scene, which
was filmed on the actual spot where it took place, the Glienicke
Bridge in Berlin. Running time: 5:42.
Act” featurette. Gary Powers, Jr. discusses his father’s ordeal
and the events leading up to the swap. Frederic Pryor, the student
also held by East Germany and was part of the swap, is interviewed.
Also featured is the filming of the prisoner exchange scene, which
was filmed on the actual spot where it took place, the Glienicke
Bridge in Berlin. Running time: 5:42.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Bridge of Spies is an
affecting, understated drama
affecting, understated drama
Bridge of Spies is another fantastic
historical piece from Spielberg, with a strong performance from Tom
Hanks and an Oscar-worthy performance from Mark Rylance. A bit talky
and not nearly as dramatic as you might expect it to be, Bridge of
Spies does build to an affecting end and an exceptional finale. The
technical presentation is first-rate, and solid, but not plentiful,
extras round out the disc. This certainly brings a buy recommendation
from us; after all, it’s Hanks and Spielberg. You can’t go wrong.
historical piece from Spielberg, with a strong performance from Tom
Hanks and an Oscar-worthy performance from Mark Rylance. A bit talky
and not nearly as dramatic as you might expect it to be, Bridge of
Spies does build to an affecting end and an exceptional finale. The
technical presentation is first-rate, and solid, but not plentiful,
extras round out the disc. This certainly brings a buy recommendation
from us; after all, it’s Hanks and Spielberg. You can’t go wrong.
BLU-RAY SPECS
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Rating:PG-13
Running time: 141 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio,
English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1
Dolby Digital
English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1
Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Special Features: “A Case of the Cold
War: Bridge of Spies” documentary; “Berlin 1961: Re-creating the
Divide” featurette; “U-2 Spy Plane” featurette; “Spy Swap:
Looking Back on the Final Act” featurette.
War: Bridge of Spies” documentary; “Berlin 1961: Re-creating the
Divide” featurette; “U-2 Spy Plane” featurette; “Spy Swap:
Looking Back on the Final Act” featurette.
Label: Touchstone Home Entertainment
Click here to order Bridge of Spies on Blu-ray from Amazon!
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