Missing (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Sony
Release Date: March 28, 2023
 Rating: PG-13
 Film:  3/5
 
 Plot
 From the minds behind Searching comes Missing, a thrilling roller-coaster mystery that makes you wonder how well you know those closest to you. When her mother (Nia Long) disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend, June's (Storm Reid) search for answers is hindered by international red tape. Stuck thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, June creatively uses all the latest technology at her fingertips to try and find her before it's too late. But as she digs deeper, her digital sleuthing raises more questions than answers...and when June unravels secrets about her mom, she discovers that she never really knew her at all.
 
My Thoughts
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this film. On the one hand, it has a pretty good story as far as mysteries/thrillers go, but I can’t say I loved the delivery that is obviously geared towards Generation Z and their propensity to live their lives on a 4-inch cellphone screen. There are very few “regular” shots in the film and the mystery is revealed across computer desktop screens, smartphones, security cameras, apps, and of course, a smartwatch—it makes one wonder if the film was sponsored by Samsung or Apple. It’s in the vein of a found footage film, so it’s definitely not for everyone.
 
On the plus side, the story is engaging and will make you question how secure your own personal information is online. Furthermore, there are a few twists and turns along the way that will keep you guessing. Frankly, I would have preferred the story have been told via a more traditional approach because there’s a lot of meat to the story and it didn’t need the gimmick approach to capture eyeballs. In fact, I think this approach will turn more people off who aren’t in the under 25 crowd.
 
Video 4/5 (AVC)
 Audio 4/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
 Special Features:
·        Deleted Scenes
·        Hunting for Missing Easter Eggs
·        Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes
·        Filmmaker Commentary
·        Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 
 

 Conclusion
 The writers/directors Will Merrick and Nicholas Johnson edited the film Searching in 2018 which shares the same approach taken here. If you haven’t experienced this type of narrative you may find it unique the first time you see it, but this is the third such film that I’ve watched with this approach and the novelty has completely worn off for me. That being said, it isn’t a bad film by any stretch and certainly keeps you guessing.
 

 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Kaleidescape Strato + Server
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
SVS SB3000
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

My wife and I both enjoyed Searching, even though we're well past the Gen Z demographic.  I held off adding this one to our list because I thought it might be too similar to the first one to be worth watching.

Is the story sufficiently different enough to make it worth watching, if one enjoyed the original?  It sounds like it would be, but if it's more or less a remake, then there's not much point.

Scott

[AVSCraig]

My wife and I both enjoyed Searching, even though we're well past the Gen Z demographic.  I held off adding this one to our list because I thought it might be too similar to the first one to be worth watching.

Is the story sufficiently different enough to make it worth watching, if one enjoyed the original?  It sounds like it would be, but if it's more or less a remake, then there's not much point.

Scott

My wife and I also liked Searching. I might need to watch that again with friends that haven't seen it. This new movie does sound similar. 

[David Vaughn]

My wife and I both enjoyed Searching, even though we're well past the Gen Z demographic.  I held off adding this one to our list because I thought it might be too similar to the first one to be worth watching.

Is the story sufficiently different enough to make it worth watching, if one enjoyed the original?  It sounds like it would be, but if it's more or less a remake, then there's not much point.

Scott

I've watched so many movies since Searching I honestly don't remember

I never felt like I knew exactly what was coming so I don't think it will ruin the experience. I would have preferred if it was presented as more of a "combo" film with less "screen reveal," if you know what I mean. The story itself is solid enough in that regard that they didn't need the gimmick to make it worth watching.