7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Corey StollDrama | 100% |
History | 72% |
Biography | 65% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1, 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
French: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
First Man is not only a dramatic recreation of the lead-up to man's first steps taken on the moon but also, and more prominently, an exploration of the man who took those steps. Director Damien Chazelle's (La La Land, Whiplash) film is not a grand epic of space travel, not a film concerned with detailing every last morsel of information in the technical build-up to Apollo 11's mission to the moon. It is instead a thorough, intimate portrait of a man who carried tragedy and heartache through his career as an astronaut, who balanced inner pain and vulnerability with a more rigid and focused outer façade. Though Armstrong was driven to the moon by thrust, fuel, and physics, it was his perseverance that ultimately allowed him to take that small step off the ship and the giant leap required to overcome unspeakable pain.
We choose to go.
First Man's 1080p Blu-ray release offers a texturally rich visual experience and, when watching the film, it's obvious that shooting it on film was the right call. Beyond the gorgeous textural grit and intimacy, the format reinforces both the 1960s period feel as well as the movie's quest to soul search Goslin's portrayal of Neil Armstrong in practically every scene through gorgeously revealing close-ups that shape the character in a way that lifeless digital cannot achieve. Clarity is terrific, whether considering intimate facial textures, instrument clusters inside spacecraft, civilian clothing, or even a grungy bathroom where the astronauts-in-training go after particularly intense stomach churning physical tests. Colors are not meant to be excessively expressive but core vibrancy and depth are certainly strong points. Whether dull gray lunar surfaces, the golden astronaut visors, period attire, or the stars and stripes (despite the controversial absence of the flag planting) all look very good within the film's very precise visual context. Skin tones are healthy, too, and black levels are impeccable, offering rich, deep, and perfect shadow detail. A few errant speckles appear at times and a bit of debris -- intentional, perhaps -- at the fringes of the image's barriers against the "black bars" are obvious. Nevertheless, this is a gorgeous, first-class image from Universal that both does the 1080p and film formats proud.
The Dolby Atmos track engages immediately during a test flight sequence. Exceptional detailing encircles the listener in the sonic form of rattles, rumbles, the pilot's heavy breathing, and engine hum underneath it all. It's a chaotic cacophony that gives way to momentary peace when the test plane reaches the space above the Earth's atmosphere, only to regain an intensity as the plane finally makes a return to Earth. It really encapsulates the entire track. Big, pronounced, detailed, discrete, and harmoniously jumbled sounds draw the listener into space capsules and training modules with strikingly efficient, loud, and balanced intensity. As Gemini 8 prepares for launch, the creaks and moans creep in from all over the stage, effortlessly transporting the listener into the pre-launch capsule, while take-off and ascent offer a revelatory sense of rise, depth, heft, and movement as the ship approaches and crosses the atmosphere. Overhead channels are generally folded in rather than used for individually discrete effects, helping to create a more thoroughly convincing sound design which is critical to shaping several of the movie's most dramatically intense scenes. Light atmospheric supports gently envelop the listener in a few scenes, dialogue clarity and positioning are seamless, and musical fidelity, front and surround spacing, and balanced low end depth are also track hallmarks but nothing comes close to the several reference quality scenes involving upward or downward thrust and rattle. This is a demonstration-worthy soundtrack from Dolby and Universal.
First Man's Blu-ray release contains deleted scenes, several featurettes, and an audio commentary track. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies
Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.
First Man does not tell the story of a journey into space but rather a journey into a man's soul. This is an exceptionally well made and emotionally pulling film that rarely finds a stumbling block. It's brilliantly directed and photographed, exceptionally well performed, and the picture's ability to find a tonal balance between epic scale historical and astral awe and intimate character depth is striking. First Man is one of 2018's best films. Universal's Blu-ray is terrific, featuring exceptional picture and sound qualities paired with a healthy allotment of bonus content. First Man earns my highest recommendation.
2016
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Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
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