Blu-ray Review: Riveting ‘Prisoners’ Connects Even on Repeat Viewing

Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” seems to have been lost in the awards season conversation and that’s a shame. Not only is Richard Deakins’ cinematography some of the best in his career but Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman’s emotional work here deserves more credit than it’s been getting. Newly released on a gorgeous Blu-ray (with, sadly, scant special features), “Prisoners” is the kind of adult drama that seems certain to pick up more fans on the home market. It’s really worth your time.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

What would you do if your loved ones were in jeopardy? Is there anything that would stop you from torturing the person you thought responsible for your daughter’s kidnapping? And could you sleep at night if you the detective in charge of saving young lives? “Prisoners” is not just an intense drama, it is an expertly crafed one from Deakins’ beautiful camera work to great editing, art direction, and even score. And there’s not a false note in the cast. I think the final act gets a bit too “Law & Order”-y but it doesn’t sink too much of what came before. I wish the Blu-ray included stronger special features but the transfer is great (as it always is for WB) and they include an UltraViolet version as well. It’s a time of year in which you will be bombarded by Oscar bait at the theaters. Don’t let this underrated drama pass you by.

Prisoners was released on Blu-ray and DVD on December 17, 2013
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
How far would you go to protect your family? Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is facing every parent’s worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had earlier been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrests its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces his release.

Special Features:
o Every Moment Matters
o Powerful Performances

[16]	By BRIAN TALLERICO [17] Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com [16]