Plot: What’s it about?
A man (Clovis Cornillac) just woke up inside of a dark cave, with no idea how or why he is there. In addition, he isn’t sure who the man near him is or why that man is dead. While he is confused and disoriented, the man begins to collect his thoughts and starts to look for answers. He soon stumbles into what seems like a complex of some kind, which was obviously once in use but has now fallen into disarray. As he explores, he sees a group of armed men who seem to be on the hunt, so he avoids their detection and pushes on. He soon finds some information in a lab and realizes he must escape the complex, or he will die inside it. But with the armed guards and some mysterious creatures afoot, an escape won’t be a cake walk. Can he make it out alive and in any case, will he learn the truth about his own identity?
This is the kind of film that looks like it should be good, has the potential to be good, and even after you watch it, you just know there’s a good movie in here. But sadly, Eden Log doesn’t fulfill the promise of the concept, though director Franck Vestiel does show he has a knack for the sci/fi genre. The visuals in Eden Log are fantastic, a dark, but kind of unique atmosphere that just pours off the screen at times. The plot fails to put those visuals to good use however. I appreciate the complex, sometimes even cryptic story here, but the pace is a touch slow and the climax is a disappointment. I think with some minor adjustments though, Eden Log could have been a great sci/fi adventure. I still think this is a solid movie and I do enjoy the attempt to write something deep, even if the details didn’t always pan out. So if you’re a sci/fi fan in the mood for something new to check out, Eden Log is well worth a rental and of course, this Blu-ray disc is the best available option.
Video: How does it look?
Eden Log is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The film has a unique visual design, one that simply doesn’t shine here in high definition. The image is clean and sharp, but the nature of the style used is such that massive improvements just aren’t in the cards. But that is not a knock on the transfer, just a statement about the intended visuals. The metallic hues are really focused on here, with the entire movie under a blue/grey haze of sorts. This throws off overall color and contrast of course, but that is fine, since this is how the film should look. I found detail to be rock solid, but not often remarkable. A quick comparison tells us this is a nice step up over the DVD.
Audio: How does it sound?
A DTS HD 5.1 option is on board and this is one great soundtrack. The original French language is preserved, though here is advertised as a special feature for some reason. In any case, the surrounds are well used and really ratchet up the tension in some scenes, which is good news. This is as much powerful as it is subtle, which is fine, as this movie relies more mood than powerhouse audio, to be sure. The dialogue is clear, the music sounds good, and the overall audio is terrific. This disc also includes an English language version, as well as English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes no bonus materials.
