Hi-Def Preview

King Of California

First Look Studios

Released: 1/29/08

Review By: Ryan James

Picture Quality - 4/5

Audio Quality - 4/5

Special Features - 2/5

Overall - 4/5

Comments: First Look Studios did an EXCELLENT job with this, their first release on Blu-ray. This film is encoded using VC-1 on to a BD25 and First Look used an DTS 5.1 Surround (768kbps) track for sound. The colors are sharp and vivid and really "pop" off the screen. The film grain is minimal and I saw absolutely no noise or macroblocking. The daytime scenes were simply stunning, especially the greens of the trees and the blues of the skies. The cinematography too was solid.

In-terms of audio quality I would say this was a great representation of what DTS 5.1 Surround (768kbps) is capable of. The Surrounds were used frequently, to the point of feeling you were like you were in the film. The LFE too was used to perfection and helped created an encompassing effect. The center channel is where this release excels. Dialog can be heard loud and clear, as if the characters of the film were in your living room with you.

This release has limited special features. Here is a look at what you get:

Audio Commentaries - Writer/Director Mike Cahill with production designer Dan Bishop, director of photography Jim Whitaker and first assistant director Richard L. Fox.

Featurette: "The Making of King of California"

Outtake Reel

Theatrical Trailers

In conclusion, if you are a fan of this film, I can recommend this purchase as the story is fun, the special features are good and the picture and sound quality are solid as well.

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