Body of Lies Blu-ray Review

'Body of Lies' explodes onto UK Blu-ray with a fine 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer that's accurately framed at 2.40:1.
Ridley Scott is renowned for wanting every shot to look like an oil painting and 'Body of Lies' does not disappoint in this respect. The contrast is high in Alexander Witt's cinematography of the Middle East and you can almost count every stone in the desert due to the sharpness of the image. There's some visible use of the sharpening tool, but you need to be particularly looking for it. Skin tones, considering the warm location, are nicely rendered and the use of sharpening has not gone so far as to affect features or put rings around outlines. Blacks are nice and deep too. There is some fine grain evident but this is film folks. Overall this is an excellent High Definition image.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track on 'Body of Lies' is as noteworthy as the picture. It's very dynamic. Speech is crisp and clear at normal listening levels, but when the action kicks off then it really wakes the neighbours. Explosions make you jump involuntarily and gunfire is very convincing. The music by Marc Streitenfeld fits perfectly with the locations and the main stereo pair are used to fully do it justice.
The bass extension is given a good work out and there's a menacing general rumble to add ambience to the quieter scenes. A first class sound mix given first class presentation.

• Audio Commentary
  
  This interesting commentary track features Ridley Scott, screenwriter William Monahan, and author David Ignatius. Ignatius discusses the culture, customs, and ideology of the Middle East. Scott provides a good commentary; he never patronises the listener and his delivery keeps you awake. Monahan contributes the least, probably as he missed most of the shoot because of the recent writer's strike. Even if you're not a big fan of the film, this is a worthwhile listen.

  
  
  

• Actionable Intelligence: Deconstructing 'Body of Lies' (HD, 79 minutes)
  
  This detailed documentary can either be accessed from within the movie by clicking on a pop-up icon or as a series of individual featurettes in the Special Features section. Each of the nine segments takes an in-depth look at a different area of production in a straightforward, involving style.

  
  
  

• Deleted Scenes (with optional director commentary) (HD, 15 minutes)
  
  Scott introduces these on camera in front of his massive storyboard, where he tracks the film's continuity and omissions. The deletions themselves, for the most part, flesh out the relationship between Ferris and Aisha, as well as highlight Ferris' humanity and violent nature. This footage might have helped us get to know the character better if it had been left in the movie.

  
  
  

• Interactive Debriefing (HD, 19 minutes)
  
  This interactive feature allows viewers to select multiple two to four-minute individual interview clips with Scott, DiCaprio, and Crowe that focus on Story, Collaboration, and Intelligence.
  
  
  
  
  

  Ridley Scott's 'Body of Lies' arrives on the UK Blu-ray scene with a first rate 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer that's accurately framed at 2.40:1. The image is pin sharp, revealing fine detail and contrast is high but natural considering the Middle Eastern locations. Skin tones are well rendered throughout.
  
  The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track is superb with demo quality dynamics, resounding bass and generally clear dialogue. Ambience is well serviced by the surrounds.
  
  The Extras give us a fascinating insight into the production with input from Scott, DiCaprio & Crowe.
  
  The movie is a fairly clinical representation of the lengths that the CIA will go to get results in pursuit of their targets, with good performances all round.