Blu-ray Review: Gran Torino

Warner
Street: June 9
Prebook: now
> Fine film sticks to moderate speeds on Blu-ray.

Clint Eastwood is a ball of Blu-ray energy, as a simple facial twitch or wink carries intense meaning to anyone around him. His latest film, Gran Torino, is a fascinating look at clashing Midwest cultures, but it is too much of a studied character drama to offer large amounts of eye-popping Blu-ray magic. Also, Eastwood has chosen a muted cinematographic style, which limits Blu-ray's ability to sharpen bright colors. Viewers do get a better sense of contrast between the especially grizzled Eastwood facing off against hyperkinetic Hmong street thugs. The titular 1972 Gran Torino, a coveted object of many in the film, shines bright and makes its significant presence always known. There is some wish that there was more in the way of bonus features. Blu-ray-exclusive featurette “The Eastwood Way” is informative enough, but fans will want the filmmaker to dig deeper into how he approached being a controversial racist character.

Shelf Talk: Though Gran Torino was considered for the Academy Awards, the film was universally liked by critics and moviegoers. Its $148 million gross—and the presence of the legendary Mr. Eastwood—should win plenty of attention.