Picture
Although blacks really aren't being tested, they are solid and well presented. Contrast, though good for the most part, does allow whites to run a little hot. But colours are superb. Perhaps the primaries are a bit too saturated and vivid - reds especially seem to announce themselves with neon-lit pride - but this is possibly in-keeping with a documentary about graphic design.
Transfer-wise, Helvetica does have some slight edge enhancement but this does not hamper enjoyment of the image one little bit. There are no troublesome artefacts and for all the bright colours, I saw no banding taking place. Grain is completely absent and the image is extremely clean and crisp and rewarding.
Sound
Beyond this, there really isn't anything that I can say. It sounds great, folks.
Extras
So, Helvetica may not have much in the sphere of extra material - I mean what else could they add? - but it does contain more of what really matters to those who cherish such things as the opinions of graphic designers from around the world.
Oh, and there is a personalised introduction to the documentary and its theme from Gary Hustwit in the form of a small booklet, too.
Well, it's a cinch that Helvetica is hardly going to be a big seller - at least in terms of, say, Pirates Of The Caribbean or Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray - but its very niche appeal is still going to float the boat of someone out there. I will admit that I had the severest of reservations going in to this, but strangely enough, Gary Hustwit's feature does weave a bizarre little spell, and one that was engaging enough to keep me watching and not in the least tempted to go skipping ahead. However, the subject matter's popularity and interest value are hard to gauge and it would really only be someone who is either studying graphic design or actively engaged in it to find anything of importance or relevance here.
The disc has a fine transfer, too. The image is extremely nice to look at and the relatively simple DD 2.0 track is warm and unafraid. Extras are exactly the kind of thing that suits this presentation - in that they add a lot more detail about the subject by the people involved in it. No EPK drivel here.
Those who are keen on Helvetica may be interested to know that there is a Limited Edition available as well - though I don't know what additions adorn it over this general release version. But, either way, I actually enjoyed this documentary. It hasn't changed my life, but it has given me a new appreciation of something that I see and work with every day ... and that can't be bad, can it?
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