Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.5

Fargo 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

"There's more to life than a little money, ya know. Don'tcha know that?"

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown February 17, 2024

Purporting to be a true story (it isn't, but good Lord does the opening white-on-black text, along with Carter Burwell's dramatic score, set the perfect tone out of the gate), Fargo opens in Minnesota in 1987. From there it takes the first of many unexpected turns: veering into the lives of a dozen or so of the most uninteresting, unengaging, unspectacular characters to every be so... um, interesting, engaging and spectacular. Fargo does everything it can to subvert the rules of film, while creating one of the most strangely dynamic, oddly affecting crime films in the modern era. It is and it isn't. It's a contradiction. A conundrum. Complex yet simple. Hilarious yet sobering. Weird yet normal to a fault. And it's in this back-and-forth paradoxical rhythm that the Coen Brothers, cinematographer Roger Deakins and composer Carter Burwell craft a masterpiece.

"I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work, there, Lou."

Struggling car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) lands himself in a world of debt. His solution? Hire a pair of bickering tough-guy criminals, Carl and Gaear (an absolutely hilarious Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare), to kidnap Jerry's wife. Jerry plans to collect the ransom from his wealthy father-in-law (Harve Presnell), giving the two thugs a small portion of the funds while keeping the rest to satisfy his debts. The scheme collapses, though, when Gaear shoots a state trooper. Assigned to the murder case? Pregnant police officer Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand in a career-defining role), who soon begins to connect dots Jerry is desperate to keep disconnected. Masterfully written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the Oscar-winning film also stars Kristin Rudrüd as Jerry's wife Jean, Tony Denman as his son Scotty, Steve Reevis as mechanic Shep Proudfoot, Larry Brandenburg as Stan Grossman, John Carroll Lynch as Marge's husband Norm, Steve Park as Marge's old school friend Mike Yanagita, and Bruce Bohne as Officer Lou Getchell.

Click here to read Greg Maltz's 2009 review of the film, of which he says: "the way violence unfolds is executed with a raw vision that's trademark Coen Brothers", while "cinematographer Roger Deakins serves up the characters and long snowy plains of Minnesota and North Dakota in simple strokes of artistic grandeur."

Click here to read Jeffrey Kauffman's 2011 review of Fargo, which he explains "unequivocally established the Coens as a mainstream success story" that "couldn't have happened due to a more peculiar, weird, and idiosyncratic movie." Adding, "the Coens' writing genius is fully on display here, with a coterie of characters, all of whom are perfectly defined, and a plot that, while incredibly complex, is always easy to follow while never being predictable."

Fargo 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Fargo has been released on Blu-ray multiple times, almost always with the sort of AV presentation you'd hope accompanied such a beloved film. Its 4K debut arrives courtesy of Shout Factory and, oh geez, is it a beauty. Minted from a new 4K scan and restoration of the original camera negative supervised by cinematographer Roger A. Deakins, Fargo not only looks better than it ever has, but that "better" is backed by the fully satisfied intentions and approval of Deakins (who has more awards than the Coen Brothers have films). The slight shift in color tone and contrast may take a quick beat to adjust to -- especially if your memory tells you that the white snows of Minnesota were once brighter and more eye-piercing -- but the results are more in line with the original theatrical presentation and remain wonderfully filmic from start to finish. Natural earthy hues, warm interior oranges and yellows, icy sun-struck windows, and reds, oh the splashes of vibrant reds... gorgeous. The Dolby Vision and HDR support lends a welcome level of increased depth and richness to the palette and photography, while skintones and black levels never falter, delivering convincing, lifelike shots whether framed by snow, wallpaper, low-wattage bar lights, horizontal office blinds, fancy hotel restaurants, log cabin walls, or wood- chipped blood.

Grain is more consistent and unobtrusive than it's ever been as well, and without the appearance of an image that's been scrubbed or over-processed. The veneer of grain on tap is faint and nuanced, never distracting; always enhancing the fabric of the film and never rendering it anything less than true to its original elements. Detail is excellent -- even revelatory at times -- with incredibly well-refined textures, striking close-up and facial subtleties, perfectly suited neo-noir-esque shadow delineation, and crisp edge definition virtually free of halos. (There are exceedingly minor instances of slight edge anomalies present in a handful of wider shots, typically involving dark-jacketed officers standing in the snow, but the culprit appears to be entirely optical, not an encoding issue). The 4K upgrade isn't readily apparent at all times, but wait half a minute and you'll find yourself treated to a scene or shot that you come to appreciate more than you have before. Taken as a whole, the improvements compile and deliver a definitive presentation that I can't imagine will be outclassed anytime in the foreseeable future. Add to that a complete lack of banding, blocking or other such issues and you have a 4K video transfer that is a startling realization of the Coen Brothers' Minnesota vision.

Note: the standard Blu-ray edition of 'Fargo' included with this 2-disc collection features a 1080p presentation of the film's Deakins-approved 4K restoration. It subsequently bests every standard Blu-ray edition that's come before it.

Fargo 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Fargo's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is fantastic as well; a real smooth smoothie, yah know? The film's unforgettably quotable dialogue is clean, intelligible and neatly prioritized within the unassuming Minnesota exteriors and interiors, and sound effects have a distinct realism that only enhances the believability of the soundscape. Rear speaker activity isn't aggressive -- Fargo is largely a quiet crime dramedy, with only the occasional bit of ranting or shouting, violence, shooting, or wood chipper jamming -- but it is effective, bringing everything from snowy fields and forests to creaky-bedded hotel rooms to life with precise directional effects and an immersive and involving soundfield. LFE output lies in wait for the aforementioned bursts of blood-letting, bolstering roaring engines, physical tussles, home break-ins, the resounding bass notes in Carter Burwell's score and, yeah yeah, I know you're waiting for it, that glorious wood chipper, in all its whirring, grinding, stomach-churning glory. If there's any complaint to be had it's when the lossless track gets a tad front-heavy, as it often does in Jerry or Marge's homes or other quaint locales, but it's never long before the music surges and Fargo evokes the tone and tenor of a grand, epic crime story far more poignant than its smalltown caper suggests.

Fargo 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary - Renowned cinematographer Roger A. Deakins (taking the place of the notoriously commentary-shy Coen Brothers) delivers a solid though soft-spoken commentary, touching on the brothers' style, collaborative partnership and creative ethic, the cast and their performances and, most importantly of all, the look of the film. There are several moments where the very deliberate Deakins goes silent, but when he speaks, he has welcome and meaningful things to say.

• Minnesota Nice (HD, 28 minutes) - Key members of the cast and crew discuss all things Fargo.

• Interview with the Coen Brothers and Frances McDormand (HD, 21 minutes) - This Charlie Rose interview gives the filmmakers and lead actress a chance to discuss the truth within the untrue true story, the inspiration for the film, casting and performing, and more.

• American Cinematographer Article (HD, 16 minutes)

• Still Photo Gallery (HD)

• Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2 minutes)

• TV Spot (HD, 1 minute)

Fargo 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What more could be written about Fargo, one of the finest American films of the late 20th century? It's a masterwork, one that will continue to be studied and examined long after the Coen Brothers are gone, and as stark and funny as it is startling, surprising and unconventional. Shout Factory's 4K Blu-ray release is a must-own, with a definitive presentation of the film (restored in 4K from the original negative under cinematographer Roger A. Deakins' supervision), an excellent lossless audio track, and a decent assortment of special features. Highly, highly recommended.