7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A boy seeks the help of a tree monster to cope with his single mom's terminal illness.
Starring: Lewis MacDougall, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Liam NeesonDrama | Insignificant |
Family | Insignificant |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
BD-Live
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A Monster Calls succeeds at striking a seemingly unobtainable balance between two narrative extremes. On one hand, the movie is deeply metaphoric. On the other, it's very direct. It's in how the story fuses these two disparate extremes that it finds its ability to explore the dichotomies, complexities, pains, and realities that is life for the human species, a species simultaneously blessed and cursed with awareness of emotional pains and physical sufferings and an understanding of how things work but not always why things happen. The film, which is based on a story conceived by the terminally ill Siobhan Dowd and penned by Patrick Ness after her death, deals in the most fundamental of human pains, the pain of loss (or pending loss, as the case may be) and the resultant physical lethargy and grief and emotional turbulence and weariness that accompanies it. It's certainly not a subject that's a stranger to the dramatic arts -- literature, cinema, stage -- but A Monster Calls handles it with a direct grace that serves as a comfort through hardship without dismissing life's very real and inescapable pains.
A Monster Calls was digital photographed but enjoys a texturing more akin to a mildly soft filmed presentation. A few smudgy edges are apparent, but the image is otherwise clean and stable, nicely dimensional even in 2D. Detailing is never extraordinary. The film is mildly soft by its nature. Neither facial nor clothing details are of standout quality, but they fit the film's intended texturing nicely. Basic definition and clarity under the 1080p engine are noticeable, and the image is attractively complimentary. Colors are never striking beyond some flashes of fiery oranges within the tree as it springs to life. The palette is largely reserved with the movie favoring a bleaker, darker tone but not shying away from revealing its bolder colors with commendable accuracy and ease. Black levels, critical to so much of the film, are terrifically deep and revealing. Skin tones appear accurate within the film's intended stylings. Digital or encode artifacts are few and far between. This is a very good presentation from Universal.
A Monster Calls features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that's fairly straightforward with the notable, and powerful, exceptions of several key moments with dreams and the tree. Each of the moments, and the bookend examples in particular, are awash in sonic mayhem. Bass is insanely powerful and the stage becomes swept up in major destruction that sends any number of distinctive pieces cracking, splitting, crashing, and rushing through the soundstage. It's all-encompassing and seriously active. Surrounds are occasionally engaged for other bits, including blowing winds and the resultant rustling leaves and grasses in a scene in the final act; the effect nicely saturates the stage and proves incredibly lifelike. Music is well defined and nicely spaced. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized, with the tree's booming voice the rumbly highlight. As with the film proper, this track is one of parallels and contrasts, with much subtlety often giving way to incredible sonic mayhem.
A Monster Calls contains two commentary tracks (in two languages), several featurettes, and several deleted scenes. A DVD copy of the film
and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.
A Monster Calls is a difficult film to watch, and that's a large part what makes it a success. Tonally dark but hopeful, the movie is made of contrasts that center around the harsh realities of life but the process of grief and acceptance and understanding. It pulls no punches, never makes light of emotion, and doesn't pretend to offer a miracle, upbeat cure. It's a steady, honest film and one that will prove relevant for all at some point in their lives. Universal's Blu-ray is excellent, providing high-end video, reference 5.1 lossless audio, and a quality assortment of extra content. Very highly recommended.
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