Nerve
(2016/Lionsgate Blu-ray/DVD)
Picture:
B/B- Sound: B+/B- Extras: B Film: C+
Nerve
(2016) is a highly stylized and fast paced new thriller that is more
style than substance, built around an online game fashioned after the
truth or dare - the film is directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry
Joost (Paranormal
Activity 3,
Catfish)
and stars Emma Roberts and Dave Franco as the two leads. Despite its
large budget, the film was pretty much a flop in the box office, but
will more than likely find an audience on this nice Blu-ray/DVD
edition.
Are
you a watcher or a player? That is the question that the new online
game Nerve poses. After recently losing a brother and not exactly
the most popular kid at school, Vee (Roberts) ends up signing onto
the game and kisses a random stranger named Ian (Franco). The
Watchers of the game Nerve like seeing the couple together all over
New York City so much that the stakes get higher and higher, putting
their lives at risk in an attempt for both parties to make some quick
cash - or is there something more to their relationship?
The
high def presentation here is nothing to shake a stick at with a
1080p high definition transfer presented in 2.39:1. The film has a
wide color palette with neon greens and blues, many night scenes, and
scenes of high contrast. All of this is captured on Blu-ray and the
DVD (anamorphically enhanced), but the cinematography comes through
stronger in high def.
The
sound mix is equally as impressive in DTS: X 11.1 and a DTS-HD Master
Audio 7.1 mixdown. Since the film features a lot of action and sound
effects, this disc could be a decent showpiece for those with
impressive home entertainment systems. The DVD features a lossy 5.1
Dolby Digital mix, that doesn't sound bad for the format but is hard
to compare to the Blu-ray disc.
Special
Features includes two modes - ''watcher'' or a ''player'' - which
hits the theme of the movie on the nose.
-
Watcher Mode:
"Creating
Nerve" - 15 Character Pods
"The
Fat Jewish Gets Tattewish" Outtakes
"The
Governor's Ball Takeover" - Social Media Stars in a Game of Dare
-
Player Mode:
"Do
You Have the Nerve?" Game
"Are
You a Watcher or a Player?" Quiz
Player
Profiles
A
decent concept with some decent performances and interesting
filmmaking choices, the film will appeal more to a younger, hip crowd
more than it will an older one more than likely, but there's enough
action and romance in the mix to keep you watching.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
