7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A man stranded in the Arctic is finally about to receive his long awaited rescue. However, after a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost. He must then decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Maria Thelma Smáradóttir, Tintrinai ThikhasukDrama | 100% |
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
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Few categories of film speak to the human spirit and human condition more than the Survival genre, and few films accomplish a more intimate journey through the outward trials and inner turmoils than Director Joe Penna's feature debut Arctic. It is a film of both environmental scale and scope and one man's struggle to survive unthinkably harsh and bleak conditions in the isolated, desolate, and detached-from-the-world Arctic. Penna, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ryan Morrison, crafts a compelling tale that balances hope and horror, fight and frigid conditions in a film that's sole focus is on the outward struggle, the inner fears, and the fatigue that wears the man down inside and out. It's a classic man-versus-nature tale but also a capable inward reflection of man at his best, even when all but inescapably trapped in the world's worst.
Universal's 1080p Blu-ray release of Arctic capably delivers the film's bleak locations quite nicely. There's never a sense of grand, intimate detail in the vast wide shots that dot the movie, which are comprised of blank white snowscapes and gray, sunless skies. Up close, packed and freshly fallen snow alike offer more revealing textures. Skin textures are well defined in close-up, revealing wounds, pores, wrinkles, and other qualities with impressive depth and clarity. Mikkelsen's scruffy beard is one of the textural standouts. The wrecked airplane and helicopter are the primary non-human, unnatural objets in the film, and basic metallic parts, broken items, and the like are appropriately sharp and clear. Colors are deliberately muted. Mikkelsen's red jacket is the most prominent color standout, not popping for sure but serving as a necessary counterpoint to the bleakness. The caked-on dirt and wear drain it of life and give it a well-worn color quality. Red blood, flares, and a few material odds and ends represent the only other colors of note in the film, none of which are exceptionally vibrant but that do fit into the tone quite well. Skin tones follow suit. Black levels appear slightly raised in the darkest scenes, notably right at the one-hour mark. No significant source or encode flaws are apparent.
Arctic's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack envelops the listener in the Arctic's inhospitable and frigidly cold winds. Each gust pushes through with punishing cold and at an appropriate depth to support a realistic weight and force. Wind is the most prominent and consistent sound in the film. Helicopters offers a decent sense of weight and thrust as the rotors spin, particularly nearby but the sound is effective at distance as well. Crunching snow underfoot, scraping it with a makeshift tool, and other sounds of basic survival are conveyed naturally and clearly. A polar bear growls with impressive depth at one critical point in the film. Music is detailed and spreads wide across the front. Surrounds are folded in as part of a complimentary support. The film is light on dialogue, but the occasional word or sentence is clearly delivered, well prioritized, and planted in the center channel speaker.
Arctic contains deleted scenes and two featurettes. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with a
non-embossed slipcover.
Arctic thrives on Mikkelsen's performance but also impressive is Penna's craftsmanship. The director drops the audience into the story, revealing precious little detail. Penna further does little to expand the story from start to finish, maintaining a focus on survival, isolation, cold, hunger, fear, and fatigue. It's a terrific film. Universal's Blu-ray delivers high quality video and audio presentations. The supplements are fine but few. Highly recommended.
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