Knight and Day

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There has been more written about the troubled production of this film and its lacklustre box office than the film itself. Knight and Day, which was originally titled Wichita then Trouble Man, and went through copious drafts and directors (settling on James Mangold), then changed stars like Chris Tucker and Eva Mendes out for Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, finally released this year... with a colossal fizzle.

Many have extolled this film as a sign that Cruise and Diaz’s star power is waning dramatically (I wouldn’t be counting him or her out just yet, peeps). Some argue that, after all the development hell this production went through, the end didn’t justify the means. But few have actually focused on the movie itself. Is it a bad movie?

A beautiful mechanic (Diaz) bumps into a handsome traveller (Cruise) at the airport and sparks fly. Little does she know, however, that her new infatuation is in fact a government operative suspected of going rogue, and that she is about to be dragged into a world-spanning adventure to clear both their names, and survive the government and the real bad guys’ attempts to thwart them.

This is an old-school, set your mind to neutral, rollicking adventure flick. It has no pretensions to be anything else, and its makers and stars give their all to make it fun. One wonders, had Cruise and Diaz done this flick ten years ago, if there would have been such a backlash and lack of enthusiasm for their efforts. Nothing about this movie stands out from their respective careers, but nothing they do in this film is bad either. Their characters are well worn archetypes both actors could do in their sleep. They are still in great condition for their ‘advancing’ age and provide some entertaining off the wall action throughout. They are comfortable with each other and bring that familiarity and fun to their on screen relationship.

If you want believability, a sort of Bourne/Bond (reborn) ethos with your action, this ain’t the film for you. But as a silly caper film, this isn’t the worst thing out there, and at least, amongst the thinkers, superheroes, and teen fodder of last summer, it was something different. They do provide what they promise in the trailer, and you really can’t ask more than that from a movie.

The locales are stunning; the actors, from the leads down, are on their game. The action is verbose and ridiculously sublime; the cinematography is first rate—it’s all just a matter of whether this type of film is your thing.

Had there not been two other films in this vein this year (The A-Team and The Expendables; both of which had their detractors but were considered successful) perhaps it could be argued that this style of action movie is no longer welcome. But plenty liked Sly’s return to 80s style adventure, plenty liked the new look A-Team, so one can only assume Cruise’s couch-jumping or Diaz not crushing on an Emo vampire has gotten in the way for Knight and Day. It shouldn’t; the film is hardly a classic, probably not even in the top ten of each of these star’s offerings, but it is a well made, silly romp. Give it a go.


Component Grades
Movie

Blu-ray Disc
3 Stars

4 stars



Blu-ray Experience
3.5 stars

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Details:

Available on Blu-ray - September 7, 2010
Screen Formats: 2.40:1
Subtitles
:English, Spanish
Audio:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; French: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc; Single disc (1 BD)

Knight and Day Blu-ray

Gorgeous AVC encode that presents clear blue water as well as it does snow, and night as well as it does day. Flesh tones are natural, depth of picture is thoroughly layered, blacks dense and detailed. No sign of aliasing, and only the briefest of softness on wide establishing shots—terrific presentation.

Sound is as impressive as the picture; the lossless DTS-HD 5.1 audio is rich and layered. Explosions could shatter the front windows, dialogue is intimate and clean, ambience is one of the most intricate mixes I’ve heard this year (airport scene at the start prime example). Top notch.

Extras are the most mediocre element of the package. Boring, everyone loves everyone/talking heads featurettes, and some behind the scenes shite showing the stars and company having fun during production (glad it was fun for you guys, but we were at work). On the plus side this crap might help you see the film itself isn’t half bad.

Supplements:

Commentary Track:

  • None

Featurettes:

  • Wilder Knights and Crazier Days (1080p, 12:30)
  • Boston Days and Spanish Knights (1080p, 8:10)
  • Knight and "Someday" (1080i, 9:09)
  • Viral Video: Soccer (1080i, 1:10)
  • Viral Video: Kick (1080i, 1:23)
  • Knight and Day: Story (1080i, 3:50)
  • Knight and Day: Scope (1080i, 3:05)
  • Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:26)
  • BD-Live Exclusive - Not Your Regular Spy (720p, 2:42)

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