Blu-ray Movie Reviews

A lofty undertaking of the History Channel, Texas Rising chronicles the one-time republic’s struggle for independence from Mexico. Lavishly produced, this miniseries features an all-star cast anchored by Emmy-winner Bill Paxton. Fleeting cameos by marquis actors exemplify the meticulous detail and massive budget that attended this production. Unfortunately, this great American saga and the men who empowered it are poorly served here. The acting is stiff and fails to evoke empathy or interest, due largely to scripting choices and mundane dialogue.

Video quality is a mixed bag. Color rendition is superb, comprised primarily of resplendently resolved earth tones. Bright colors—the red and blue of Santa Anna’s uniform, for example—at first seem dull and muted but, upon closer inspection, are beautifully balanced. Fine image details are sharp and clear without noticeable enhancement. The downside? Filmed on location in Durango, Mexico, Texas Rising consists largely of outdoor shots outside in bright—and perhaps manipulated—sunlight. You end up with a profound loss of contrast and a washing-out of white level. Coupled with the prevalent use of shallow focus, this results in images that more often resemble a 19th-century photograph than a 21st -century digital transfer.

Texas Rising’s production values are more impressively showcased by its superb DTS-HD soundtrack. From the opening credits, we’re treated to some of the most exciting and realistic sound you’ll find on Blu-ray. Dynamic impact is resolved in a way that will raise goose bumps, as will the abundance of high-quality Foley effects. Dialogue is natural and exceptionally intelligible, while fine details are rendered with clarity and focus. Surround information is otherworldly, with a subtle, atmospheric quality that will test the front-rear balance of your system.

Included with the Blu-ray package are three quality extras. Best of these is a making-of feature that offers fascinating insight into production details such as costume design and the “Cowboy Training” in horsemanship and gunplay that prepared the actors. A pair of illuminating documentaries detailing the lives of Sam Houston and Santa Anna offer historical facts interspersed with film clips and commentaries by the stars who portray them. It is these special features, rather than the mini-series itself, that will most delight History Channel viewers.

Blu-Ray
Studio: Lionsgate, 2015
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Audio Format: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Length: 7 hours, 30 mins.
MPAA Rating: N/A
Director: Roland Joffe
Staring: Bill Paxton, Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta