Blu-Ray Reviews: Sci-Fi Catalog Releases Including ‘Matrix Reloaded,’ ‘THX 1138’

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“A Scanner Darkly”

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

Richard Linklater’s excellent adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel “A Scanner Darkly” has been available on Blu-ray before but has been reissued to coincide with the new wave of catalog releases. Using the same rotoscoping animation style that he used with “Waking Life” proved to be a perfect fit for Dick’s tale of paranoia, government control, and rampant drug use. Linklater remains one of our more interesting filmmakers simply because he’s so incredibly unpredictable. He experiments with genre and style in a way that makes no project out of his reach. “A Scanner Darkly” didn’t find much of an audience in theaters but has found one on DVD. There are no new special features, but this one is worth the upgrade.

A Scanner Darkly was released on Blu-ray on September 7th, 2010. Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Animation always looks amazing in HD and “A Scanner Darkly” is no different. The HD transfer is perfectly mixed with an excellent color balance for a great film. Linklater’s script, directorial skill, and experimentation with animation fit Dick’s worldview perfectly and his cast was clearly excited at the filmmaking opportunity in front of them. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder, and Woody Harrelson are all great in a film that I believe was unjustly dismissed on its initial release. History will be kind to “A Scanner Darkly.” Like the work of Philip K. Dick, it’s easy to believe that the film will be someday seen as ahead of its time. Recognize its excellence now.

Synopsis: “What does a scanner see? Into the head? Into the heart? From the novel by Philip K. Dick (Blade Runner, Minority Report) comes A Scanner Darkly, brought to the screen by filmmaker Richard Linklater with an edgy graphic-novel look. The time: just beyond now. The place: suburbia. The story: a twisted, funny tale of people hooked on Substance D. And of a government that cheerfully destroys its citizens — their rights, their relationships — in order to save them. Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder and Rory Cochrane play strung-out friends terrified of each other and of spies. Keanu Reeves plays a spy who’s also a friend…until his two personalities begin to split. Enjoy the paranoia. Nobody’s watching you. Really. ”

“A Scanner Darkly” is presented in 1080p High Definition 16x9 1.85:1 widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track.

Special Features:
o Commentary by Keanu Reeves, Writer/Director Richard Linklater, Producer Tommy Pallotta, Author Jonathan Lethem and Philip K. Dick’s Daughter Isa Dick Hackett
o “The Weight of the Line: Animation Tales”
o Theatrical Trailer