The Guardian, Blu-ray (2006)Starring: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Seal Ward, Melissa Sagemiller
Directed by: Andrew Davis
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Aspect Ratio/Video Resolution: 1.85:1 Widescreen, 1080p HD
Audio: English 5.1 Uncompressed; English, French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Supplements: Director and writer audio commentary; two featurettes (“The Guardian: Making Waves” and “Unsung Heroes: So Others May Live”); alternate ending; four deleted scenes; movie showcase; filmmaker Q & A
Length: 139 minutes
Movie Rating: ***1/2 A/V Quality Rating: ****
After his crew perishes in a fatal crash, legendary Rescue Swimmer Ben Randall (Kevin Costner) is assigned to teach at an elite training school for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. Still struggling with the tragic loss of his crew, Randall devotes his full attention to teaching and stirs things up with his unorthodox methods. He initially knocks heads with one of his students, swim champion Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher). Fischer is young and cocky with a desire to be the best. By the conclusion of training, however, Randall succeeds in molding Fischer’s character and transforming him into a focused and dedicated Rescue Swimmer. After graduation, Fischer follows Randall to Alaska for rescue operations in the Bering Sea and experiences firsthand the bravery and sacrifice required to be a Rescue Swimmer. On the whole, I liked this film. The rescue sequences were fantastic and I wish there was more action like that as the balance of the movie tended to drag a little. I am a fan of Costner’s acting work (“Tin Cup”, “Bull Durham”, and “Field of Dreams” are among my favorites) and I am pleased that he gives another strong performance here. This film may not generate a lot of repeat viewings, but it is definitely worthy of a look. Recommended.
In terms of HD video quality, this Blu-ray DVD is very good. Images are crisp with sharp detail and deep blacks. Colors are rich and dark with fully saturated hues. Other than some occasional film grain, picture defect mastering is solid with no major flaws or authoring problems. The audio quality is also very good with the English Dolby Digital 5.1 track serving as the basis for this review (an uncompressed PCM 5.1 track also available). Outside of the action sequences, the soundtrack primarily favors the forward soundstage. Dialogue is always intelligible and firmly anchored in the center channel. The surround channels are aggressively utilized for the sound effects, particularly those involving the helicopter and sea waves. The low frequency effects channel is robust and powerful.
“The Guardian” is compatible with the “D-BOX” Motion Code™ System, meaning that if you have the necessary D-BOX equipment, your movie viewing experience will be enhanced by adding both Motion and Vibration to your chosen seating. Approximately fifteen to twenty percent of this movie has Motion effects and/or Vibration present. My favorite D-BOX Motion effects and Vibration sequences from “The Guardian” are: (1) the rocking motion of the ocean waves in the opening rescue sequence of Chapter 1 (beginning at 00:01:05)(the up and down Motion created in this scene made me feel like I was bobbing and treading water in rough seas); (2) the helicopter explosion in Chapter 2 (00:14:34)(intense vibration and a powerful jolt enabled me to experience the impact of the helicopter as it crashed into the ocean; and (3) the relentless crashing of the waves against the sinking boat in Chapter 11 (beginning at 01:53:50)(the continuous rolling Motion and Vibration generated here made me feel like I was on-board the helpless ship as it was being battered about by the storm). Overall, I would rate the D-BOX Motion/Vibration quality for “The Guardian” as very good.
– Calvin Harding Jr.
