7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Juno is a teen facing an unplanned pregnancy by her classmate Bleeker. With the help of her best friend Leah, Juno finds her unborn child a "perfect" set of parents: an affluent suburban couple, Mark and Vanessa, longing to adopt. Though she faces some tough decisions, Juno flirts with adulthood and ultimately figures out where she belongs.
Starring: Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison JanneyComedy | 100% |
Romance | 79% |
Teen | 46% |
Coming of age | 36% |
Drama | 12% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy (on disc)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
That little pink plus sign is so unholy.
As original a motion picture as Juno is, its story is certainly anything but. Walk into most
any high school in the country and you're bound to meet Juno MacGuff, or a reasonable facsimile
thereof. I should know, my wife teaches girls just like Juno world geography everyday.
Juno takes something as
simple (or is it?), mundane (really? ask Juno), and
ordinary (can it ever be?) as teenage pregnancy and runs it through the ringer, showing us what
one young girl, a young girl who is definitely a product of her (this) generation, just might go
through
during an unplanned pregnancy. Hers is a story original on-screen but one played countless
times
in
hallways, classrooms, school busses, gym classes, bedrooms, living rooms, cars, recliners, and
cyber
spaces (but not outer spaces, or at least as far as we know) all around the world. Hers is the
story of a girl, a family, a baby, a spirt, all in limbo, waiting for anything and everything--divine
providence, happenstance, or even that little voice inside of you
(in Juno's case almost literally)--to guide them to a place where harmony will once again prevail,
where this anything-but-original
story will have the ending they (or we) may not have hoped for, but the ending that will keep
this old world spinning.
In case you didn't know what this movie is about, well, here you go.
20th Century Fox delivers Juno to Blu-ray in a fine 1080p presentation, one that recreates the somewhat less-than-glossy look of the movie very well. Go in expecting the movie to look like I, Robot and leave disappointed. Go in expecting the movie to emote a certain artistic license with its look, one that seems to shift as the setting, mood, and spirit of the film does, and leave satisfied. From what I took out of the experience, the image deliberately shifts in contrast several times, reflecting the mood of the film. The image seemingly brightens up when Juno meets the adoptive parents for the first time. As the movie shifts back and forth from their world to hers, I noticed an obvious shift in the contrast, as the image changes from one of joy, bright and natural lighting, solid, peppy colors that jump off the screen to a darker, grainer, more dank and drab, less colorful presentation when Juno is away from the Loring's. Overall, the contrast works, and the image obviously looks its best while the setting is at the Loring household. Those shots in other locales appear fairly dark in nature, as if a minor filter has been applied to make it a bit darker than natural. Other scenes, such as a medium distance shot of Juno near the beginning of the film, seemed excessively soft. A reddish tint seems to sneak its way in at times, noticed often in skin tones. All the colors are a bit dull, definitely on the other end of the spectrum and completely opposite of something like High School Musical 2. Still, it's effective and sets the mood of the film perfectly, and I remain impressed by the theatrical quality and look of the print. While Juno will never be reference grade material on Blu-ray, the image is definitely a plus, and recreates the mood of the film with an understated authority.
Fox's DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound mix accompanying Juno is a pretty pedestrian one, but then again, this isn't an Arnold Schwarzenegger or Will Smith action vehicle, either. Dialogue and music are integral to the telling of this story, and both are well-represented and well-reproduced here. Both emanate cleanly and pleasantly from the front soundstage, focused in the center channel. A lot of folk-y music is included, and is integral to the story, although I must admit to not being able to accurately classify it beyond that point. It sounds fine, though much of it has a rough edge about it, a product of the style and definitely not of the sound mix. Actual dialogue is clear, well-prioritized and defined; the words coming out of the characters mouths (mostly Juno's) are clear and understandable, even if I didn't get all the slang. There are some minor niceties in the rear, such as a scene early in the film where a school jogging team runs past Juno, and we hear them move from the front to the rear flawlessly. The hodgepodge of sound at the abortion clinic proved a bit pleasing and a bit odd at the same time, though I guess it definitely set the mood of the scene and recreated the emotional roller coaster Juno was on at that moment in the film. This mix is best described as sufficient, one not meant to blow out your windows, rattle your foundation, and leave you breathless. Rather, it's simple yet elegant, much like the movie itself, and is a perfect compliment to the proceedings.
Juno makes its high-definition debut as a feature-packed special edition. First up is a
commentary track by director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody. This duo is very
comfortable
speaking about the film and its nuances, from custom-made underwear to Gibson guitars to the
minor details we'll never even notice in the final product but add depth and realism to the film.
Reitman discusses differing filming techniques, such as the use of the handheld camera when
Juno
only is on-screen. This is a very entertaining track, and listening to it adds another layer to the
film
and appreciating its overtones.
The disc also includes eleven deleted scenes (480p, 20:24) with optional commentary by the
same
participants from the feature-length track. A "gag reel" (480p, 5:11), and a "gag take" (480p,
1:57) that is definitely not family-friendly are also available. Crew Music Video (480p,
3:12) is a unique feature, showing the members of the cast performing for a music video. A
series of screen tests (480p, 22:35) are also available for your viewing pleasure, showing the
actors auditioning for the movie.
Moving along, we have Way Beyond "Our" Maturity Level: Juno-Leah-BLeeker (480p,
8:59) which showcases select scenes of the film intertwined by comments by Diablo Cody, Jason
Reitman and several actors discussing the fine performances of the cast, the meaning of the
characters, and the authenticity of the film. Diablo Cody is Totally Boss (480p, 8:35)
provides a behind-the-scenes look at the history of the screenplay's origins, from Cody's
early
days of blogging, to her discovery, to writing the script, and the positive reactions to it. Jason
Reitman for Shizz (480p, 8:08) examines the search for a director and how Jason Reitman's
passion for the script, his desire to recreate the script accurately for the screen, and his real-life
experiences lent positive energy and vigor to the end product, proving him to be the right man
for the job.
Fox Movie Channel Presents: World Premiere...Juno (480p, 5:26) is a fluff promotional
piece filmed outside the world premiere in Los Angeles. The movie is recapped and is followed by
interviews with the cast and crew. Fox Movie Channel Presents: Casting Session: Juno
(480p, 7:51) looks at how the choosing of the cast affected the final product, and how finding
just the right actors made the movie into what it is, avoiding the trap of allowing the material to
fall into the "after school special" realm. Finally, a digital copy of the film is included for use on
your computer or portable video device. For more on how this works, please see the supplements
review in Hitman.
Juno has been one of the most talked about films of the year. Like it, hate it, or fall somewhere in the middle, you no doubt have an opinion on the movie, but one thing should be close to unanimous: it is very well made and acted, something every film fan should be able to appreciate, respect, and admire. Brimming with edgy, trendy dialogue, a timely (and timeless) story, and well-drawn characters, Juno is definitely a movie worth seeing if you have not already. Those who loved this movie will be most eager to add it to their Blu-ray collection. Sporting fine video and audio quality that both accurately and pleasingly reflect the tone of the story, this Blu-ray edition is not likely to disappoint. The supplements are fairly extensive and entertaining, but their presentation in 480p standard definition proved disappointing. Nevertheless, this Blu-ray disc is bound to find its way into many a collection, and it comes recommended.
1982
2009
2009
20th Anniversary Limited Edition Packaging
2004
Unrated Version
2004
1999
2010
2012-2013
25th Anniversary Edition
1995
20th Anniversary Edition
1989
Remastered
1984
2012
2008
10th Anniversary Edition
1999
2008
2018
2012
1998
2011
1994