Video Quality 4.5 of 5
War Pigs lacks the traditional war movie grit and grain in favor of an almost excessively smooth digital sheen that doesn't reduce detail but that does disrupt the classic filmic stylings many audiences might expect of a movie of this variety. That said, aside from the disappointing aesthetics, there's little room for complaint from a purely technical perspective. Details are terrific. Military uniforms are very revealing, particularly the rougher, worn-down spots, frays, and caked-on mud and blood. Faces are likewise complex and effortlessly so. Pores, scruff, and wounds are on full display. Background support pieces are sharp and detailed, particularly woodland foliage and terrain. An overhead shot of dense forest is smeary but it's the only example in the movie. Colors are fine, limited largely to numerous shades of natural and combat uniform greens. Various earthy shades support and red blood and Nazi paraphernalia add some vibrance to the palette. Black levels and skin tones are fine. Noise is an occasional problem, but banding, aliasing, macroblocking, and other maladies are not of any concern.
Audio Quality 4.0 of 5War Pigs features an active and immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. While not quite as precise, fully enveloping, and totally immersive as tracks supporting bigger movies with a substantially larger budget, this track is no slouch. Action scenes, few and scattered as they may be, are excellent. Machine gun fire rattles around the stage, seeming to emanate from various locations around the listening area. Semi automatic rifle shots crack with a nice bit of natural weight and pop. Armor rumbles through the stage with more than enough rattly, weighty bass. Planes occasionally zip around the listening area. Minor woodland ambience, like snapping twigs and singing birds, help define the environment outside of battle. General background sounds at the military camp are lively and filling. Music enjoys good all-around definition and detail, including a bit of surround support. Dialogue delivery is clear and detailed with positive center balance.
Special Features and Extras n/aThis Blu-ray release of War Pigs contains no supplemental content. Note that this package does include a DVD copy of the film.