The Infiltrator (DVD) : Review

Film

The Infiltrator, based upon the true events of one man against the biggest drug cartel in history. A U. S. Customs official, Robert Mazur (Bryan Cranston – Power Rangers, In Dubious Battle), uncovers a money laundering operation that involves a long list of high profile criminals, including columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Set in the 80’s the film has a feel of nostalgia to it, brought on by the costumes, sets, and advanced surveillance technology for the time period.

WIth the ensemble of talent in the cast, a gripping story, the film is paced to build tension, as well as allow us a sampling of the stress that must have been felt by Robert, others involved in the case, and the Mazur family alike. Keeping this tension at just the right level throughout, this makes for a very enjoyable story. Partnering two agents, one on the verge of retirement in the form of Mazur, and another, Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger) on her first undercover assignment provides a balance that adds to the very fluidity of the films dynamic.

Plot-wise, the story is straightforward enough, building tension as it moves towards the inevitable conclusion, via an enthralling tale. Great direction, set design, and a talented cast bring the many true-life characters to life, and will certainly keep anyone entertained. The Infiltrator is a top quality film, about some very interesting events.

Disc

Overall, the disc is of a high quality. Lacking in bonus features, but with a solid main feature.

The Infiltrator is available now, to purchase on disc, in South Africa.

Video

Video is encoded at a high average bitrate. There are no visible artefacts on screen, nor any colour bleed. Colours are vibrant in many scenes (the exceptions being part of the scene, and through no fault of the disc). Detail is maintained in darker scenes.

Viewers with the necessary hardware or software could scale up to a larger or higher resolution screen, should they wish.

Audio

Audio is encoded at a high average bitrate. Sound is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 soundtracks. On the surround track, dialogue is clear via the centre channel, with the front channels carrying the rest of the sound. The surround channels are used, but with not as much distinct panning as might be expected from an action film. These serve more to expand the on-screen story, and further draw the viewer into the events taking place.

Navigation

After the obligatory warning notices that auto-play on most DVD’s, the disc navigates to the main menu. No previews, or anything.

The main menu has some background shots from the film, with accompanying music, with a simple and easy to use main menu, providing links to play the main feature, scene selection, and audio selection.

The two scene sub-menus provide ten static, colour thumbnails each. While these are numbered, they are not labelled, meaning some guesswork is needed when looking for a specific part of the film.

Bonus Features

There are no bonus features of any kind on the disc. Not even the usual trailers that auto-play at the beginning of many discs. A bit of a disappointment.

 

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb