Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Captain Fantastic Blu-ray Movie Review

When real meets world.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 19, 2016

Is there anything more personal than parenting? The way one raises a child is unfailingly influenced by the now-parent's own upbringing and world experiences, learning from real and perceived mistakes, and making some old and new errors along the way, but the end product is a very personal one that's never going to be quite the same for any two people on either end of the parent-child relationship. Yet even as a parent's guidance is built on a deeply nuanced and very personal foundation, it's forced to evolve, in some ways, with the ever changing world from which one cannot completely escape. Parents are left with a few choices: (a) embrace the world; (b), shun the world; or (c), try the hardest option, toeing that fine line between picking and choosing how they will allow their child to experience the world. But no matter the experience, the strategy, or any tool or thought process or even history of success or failure in parenting, real life is nothing if not one curveball after another. If one's definition of "a good day" is when things go mostly as planned, then don't count on filling a calendar with them. Captain Fantastic tells the story of one parent who, unlike most who select (a), has chosen (b) but is forced to evolve to, and may even come to see some of the benefits of, (c). The movie is much more than a story of parenting, however. It's a story of what it means to be alive, even if someone's definition of "life" doesn't exactly fit the world's current mold.

Goodbye.

Ben (Viggo Mortensen) and his six children are living off the land in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. He's classically educating them by way of fireside chats about classic literature. He's taught them important hunting and survival skills. He's sculpted them into peak physical condition. They know of the outside world -- they read, know music, and understand that they're a bit different -- but they're content with where they are and how their father has raised them. Things change, however, when Ben's wife and the children's mother, who has been away and sick, dies of her own hand. Her last will and testament demands she be cremated and her remains disposed of...in a unique manner. But her father Jack (Frank Langella) blames Ben for his daughter's suffering and suicide. He plans to lay his daughter to rest as he sees fit, not as Ben and the family want or even his wife desired. Ben and the kids leave the comfort of their sylvan lifestyle for a world that's practically alien and sure to view them as such, too, hoping to settle their affairs as they see fit.

If Captain Fantastic is anything, it's peculiar, and if it's anything else, it's unique. Stories of estranged families and disagreements over life's fundamental challenges are nothing new in dramatic storytelling, but here it's the presentation that sets the movie apart. The film can be, and usually is, honest and vulgar, heartfelt and heartbreaking, real and weird. The film embraces, and thrives on, a number of dichotomies in the way Ben raises his kids and how they all interact in the "real world" that, to their eyes and playing on their experiences and expectations, isn't "real" at all. The movie is all about extremes, but honest interpretations of those extremes and sincere beliefs in them. Ben, and it would seem his late wife, built a world true to their values, and it's paid off for them. The kids are mentally sharp and physically strong, but are they prepared to leave the nest? And is the world prepared for them? On the flip side, those who live "traditional" lives cannot understand, and sometimes will not accept, Ben's ways. The film is a clash of peculiarities and worldview confrontations, wrapped up in a greater story that embraces humor, heart, a bit of chaos, and a lot of interesting dissections of the world and those who live in it in their own ways.

The film boasts enthusiastic performances that, particularly from Ben's children, capture an essence and spirit of life, even as their life experiences aren't as "traditional" as are those of the outsiders they encounter throughout the film. There's a tangible, well-rounded depth to them, even the youngest who don't simply go with the flow but who seem to embrace their uniqueness and work through the dualities that envelop them as the film progresses. At the heart of them all, however, are unique, but tangible, emotional foundations that define them well beyond the Lord of the Flies-like open and the strict regimen of physical and mental discipline on which their father insists their foundations be built. The children aren't devolving but rather, in their father's eyes and in many ways in the audiences eyes, too, evolving back towards a firmer foundation of human ability and less a slave to the systems that govern the greater world around them. Viggo Mortensen is terrific as the father, handling the emotional journey and assuredness of his beliefs and abilities with remarkable clarity into the part and the world that Writer/Director Matt Ross has constructed. The film's final shot is brilliantly simple and telling, the perfect compliment to one of the most honest, interesting, and unique movies of the year.

Captain Fantastic Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Captain Fantastic's 1080p transfer, sourced from a digital shoot, satisfies in all areas of concern. The idyllic opening act features a color palette dominated by natural greens, which present faithfully agains the contrast of what are, usually, somewhat less intense colors. The palette gains diversity as the film moves forward, featuring a fresh presentation of multicolored clothes and environments. Details are satisfyingly complex. Ben's thick facial hair, caked-on mud seen near film's start, and general environment and attire textures are richly complex and revealing. Black levels hold deep in nighttime exteriors and flesh tones appear natural. Source noise is of the minimally invasive type and compression artifacts aren't problematic. A simple but well-realized Blu-ray presentation from Universal.

Captain Fantastic Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Captain Fantastic's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack begins with a pleasant, seemingly all-inclusive and immersive bit of woodland atmospherics. Rustling leaves, singing birds, snapping twigs, and other little examples of environment defining ambience enter the stage from all directions and create a neatly seamless little world. Drenching rain and rolling thunder both make use of the entire soundstage during a scene in chapter five. Even without surround-back or overhead channels the sense of immersion in the inclement weather is most impressive. Blaring bagpipes pour from the family bus' speakers at one point to joyous effect. Overall clarity to all elements is high, speaker utilization is excellent, and the track plays without any apparent gaps in spacial immersion. Dialogue is clear and detailed with a natural center positioning and, as expected, expert prioritization in what is, by-and-large, a dialogue intensive film.

Captain Fantastic Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Captain Fantastic contains one extra. Insane or Insanely Great? (1080p, 4:01) offers a quick look at the core story, development, themes, Viggo Mortensen's preparations for his part, and more. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.

Captain Fantastic Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Captain Fantastic, more than anything, has novelty on its side. While some of the driving-force drama of family squabbles and disagreements about life aren't exactly groundbreaking, the characters and approach most certainly are, or are at least fairly close. The film is made of interesting juxtapositions, fascinating characters, and engaging insights into various stations in and perspectives on life. Performances are very detailed and nuanced from all -- including the children, who certainly have the hardest parts in the film -- and the film blends excellent pacing even at two hours with knowing direction and beautiful photography. Universal's Blu-ray features good video and audio. Extras are limited to a single featurette, but the movie does a good enough job of standing tall on its own without support from added content. Highly recommended.