A Walk Among the Tombstones Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, David Harbour, Boyd Holbrook

Director: Scott Frank

Writer: Scott Frank

Producers: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Brian Oliver, Tobin Armbrust

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Ultraviolet, Color, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)

Subtitles: French, Spanish, English

Dubbed: Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: Universal Studios

Release Date: January 13, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2016

        Liam Neeson was once a varied and versatile actor. He may still be one, but somehow can’t seem to escape the same cliché and caricature roles of seasoned cops and well-worn detectives. A Walk Among the Tombstones offers him exactly this, but is one of the few outings that also provides the actor with solid material to pair with predictable casting. A clever screenplay based on the bestselling Lawrence Block mystery novels makes this one franchise I would not mind seeing receive future cinematic installments. Stop making horrendous Taken sequels, Mr. Neeson, and give us more or Matt Scudder.

 

        After an intense and spectacularly shot opening sequence in which regularly soused detective Scudder (Neeson) interferes with a robbery while day-drinking at an empty bar while on duty, we rejoin him years later as a sober unlicensed private investigator. The hard-boiled former detective has turned his life around and lives a quiet existence until deciding to take a case involving serial kidnappers. They have managed to stay off of the radar of the police by only victimizing the loved ones of nefarious drug dealers. He is hired by a heroin trafficker (Dan Stevens) to find the men after paying the ransom still results in the death of his wife.

 

        Intended to merely capture the culprits for killing, Scudder investigates the past crimes of the men responsible. Not only does he discover many former victims, Scudder becomes convinced that they will continue to prey on the innocents closest to the city’s most powerful drug dealers. In order to stop them before they kidnap and kill again, Scudder searches in the underbelly of New York to hunt them down. Complete with the help of a street kid to lighten the film’s tone, A Walk Among the Tombstones is a balanced narrative above all else. While it may not be perfect, there is enough of everything to make a solid piece of entertainment that never slips into the ridiculous territory Neeson has become far too accustomed to lately.

 

        The Blu-ray offers a great high definition presentation of the gritty action, especially enhancing the more stylized sequences of gritty action such as the opening sequence. Where the package is lacking is in the inclusion of special features. Although there are three formats in which the film can be viewed (Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD), there are only two extras included, one of which is exclusive to the high definition disc. There is a featurette about the literary character of Matt Scudder on the Blu-ray, as well as a simplistic making-of featurette included on both discs.  

 

Entertainment Value: 8/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 7/10

Historical Significance:  6.5/10

Special Features: 4/10