The Wrestler (Blu-ray)

The Wrestler (2008) is a bruising character drama starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood.

As everybody probably knows by now Mickey Rourke is superb in this movie. His performance is totally convincing and mirrors his own turbulent life. Rourke's performance is nuanced and heartfelt. This is the best Rourke has ever been.

Tomei and Wood are also very good and deserve credit. Director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem For A Dream) shoots a lot of this movie with a hand held camera giving it an unflinching almost documentary feel.

This movie is brutal and hard hitting. It gives a realistic view into the life of a wrestler who is past his best but unable to move onto anything else. I highly recommend this movie.

In a few words, the "Wrestler", from Darren Aronofsky (the man behind masterpieces such as "Requiem for a Dream") is a fantastic film, and definetely Mickey Rourke's return of Triumph.

Filmed in a "realistic" and raw manner, it portrays the modern status and downfall of a once famous wrestler, who is coping with everyday problems. The days of glory are nothing but a memory and his daughter doesn't want to even know him. His only chance to regain everything lost is a proposed rematch with one of his former opponents.

If you are expecting a blockbuster film with your standard hi octane performances, then you will be disappointed. But if your want to take a glimpse at the raw world of wrestling and witness human everyday stories, gritty and real, then go for it, you will be pleasantly surprised.

The movie may have an "independent" feeling and it may seem underrated, but it is a true materpiece, worth viewing and owning.

The picture quality is excellent, it manages to show of the blu-ray format, although there aren't any spectacular scenes and million dollar special effects.

This is a film with a good story and good performances. Mickey Rourke is very believable as a former top wrestler trying to relive his former glory, but having to deal with the reality of declining health and financial woes.

I wouldn't say that it shows off hi def to it's full potential, but it does have some nice moments during some of the wrestling matches. Definately a film worth getting, but whether the blu ray is worth the extra money is debatable.

The film's pretty good. Rourke's great in it but the quality of the blu ray is pretty bad, not that distinguishable from the dvd version.

Fantastic film, but the blu ray transfer is terrible, visible grain in most scenes. Buy the DVD instead, much cheaper and upscaled will be just as good.