Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Long Day's Journey Into Night 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-see 3D experience that uses the medium as an art-form

Long Day's Journey Into Night is a remarkable achievement of experimental cinema which became a critical and box-office smash hit in China from writer-director Gan Bi (Kaili Blues). It is of special note for its careful blend of both 2D and 3D cinematography (with the last 59 minutes of the film comprising a great one-take that is absolutely in a class of its own). The film follows the epic journey taken by Luo Hongwu (Jue Huang) as he goes on a quest to once again see his romantic flame, the gorgeous Wan Qiwen (Wei Tang).

Experiencing Long Day's Journey Into Night is to delve into a visual odyssey: the cinematography by Hung-i Yao (Take Me to the Moon, Fall In Love At First Kiss) is out of this world. The film looks so unique with its vibrant city colors and the beautiful hues on display. The visuals match the aesthetic established by the production design by Qiang Liu (To Forgive, Still Life). The cinematographer is someone who deserves massive accolades for the visual beauty of this film – as well as for being capable of pulling off the unthinkable and making an epic 59 minute one-take successful at the conclusion of the film. It's almost impossible to believe: the one-take is a true work of art that is mesmerizing.

Accompanying the visuals is the hypnotic score composed by Chih-Yuan Hsu (Missing Johnny, Big Little Man) and Giong Lim (The Assassin, Millennium Mambo). Long Day's Journey Into Night is beautiful sounding and looking: the score is the perfect accompaniment to the lush visuals and it manages to help extend the feeling that the film is a waking-dream. I have rarely had this feeling watching a film and yet that is exactly what the perfect synchronicity of the visuals and score did aplomb.

A mesmerizing cinematic dream.

Long Day's Journey Into Night has costume designs by newcomers Hua Li and Chu-Chen Yeh. This is enormously surprising to learn given that the costumes used for the film are downright stunning to behold. The women in the film wear beautiful dresses (both a green and a red dress are spotlighted in the production and are absolutely breathtaking throughout the entire experience: so integral to the film that the costumes feel like characters themselves) while the attire of the men is equally impressive and memorable to the filmmaking. Such a tremendous effort and something that showcases radiant beauty.

Gan Bi wrote and directed Long Day's Journey Into Night with the determination of a filmmaker who felt he had something to prove to audiences. The film is a mesmerizing cinematic experience and one that must be seen in 3D for those equipped to see the film in the format. While the film is less focused on character-development or plot, it makes up for these aspects with the radiant beauty of the filmmaking.

It's such a creative concept: Long Day's Journey Into Night begins in 2D-only before transitioning to 3D in the most brilliant way (when the lead character places glasses on himself the audience join in). While not a traditional 3D film (with the entirety in 3D), the experimental style is a breath of fresh air that reminded me of Tron: Legacy and it's idea to begin in 2D before changing to 3D once the game-world entered the equation). It might seem easy to simply talk about the epic one-take conclusion as proof of the director's ambitions and talents but the entire experience is a strong one that makes a mark. Long Day's Journey Into Night is a must-see cinematic event and one that breaks new ground at the same time. Don't miss it.

Long Day's Journey Into Night 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from distributor Kino Lorber, Long Day's Journey Into Night has received a two-disc release which presents viewers with two different viewing options: a standard 2D-only disc and a 3D Blu-ray disc (for those equipped to view 3D films). The entire film is not presented in 3D so the 3D Blu-ray disc begins with a notation that it is not a "3D film" in the traditional sense. The first half of the film is presented in 2D-only on the 3D disc.

I would personally advise viewers to leave off their 3D glasses during the first half of the film (when the 3D presentation is selected). While I am sure that some 3D fans will insist on keeping the glasses on for the entire run-time, I personally find that unnecessary and think that putting them on when the 3D begins is far more effective. There is a scene towards the middle of the feature-film in which the lead protagonist places 3D glasses on himself and it at this moment that audiences are to join him in putting on the 3D glasses for the third-dimension. The 3D experience then carries on throughout the remainder of the film presentation.

There is no doubt in my mind that the 3D presentation is the best way to experience the film and the one that is most in keeping with the director's vision. Long Day's Journey Into Night is a visionary experience and one that becomes absolutely dream-like. The second half of the film is especially breathtaking. Adding the 3D visuals into the mix makes the journey more magical.

For viewers who opt for the 2D-only presentation, Long Day's Journey Into Night is visually rewarding regardless. The colors are lush and intoxicating. The style oozes sophistication. I'd personally recommend the 3D presentation firsthand but if viewers are not equipped for 3D, it nonetheless is worth checking out Long Day's Journey Into Night in 2D.

Long Day's Journey Into Night 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes three different lossless audio options: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio. The audio on Long Day's Journey Into Night is so richly rewarding. The score is beautiful and serene. The music pulls one into the world of the film easily. Audio fidelity is exceptional throughout. Every little detail in the sound-design is rendered impressively: from droplets of water to the sounds of a bicycle and the hypnotic dream-state of the conclusion. An outstanding sound design that simply must-be heard in surround sound to fully appreciate the remarkable efforts of the sound team.

Subtitles are available in English and French. Subtitles are removable and Long Day's Journey Into Night can be viewed without subtitles if desired.

Long Day's Journey Into Night 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a 13 page booklet featuring an interview with director Bi Gan, cast/crew production credits, and beautiful still photographs selected from Long Day's Journey Into Night. The bonus features are on the 2D-only disc in the set and the 3D disc contains the feature-film presentation only. The 2D disc contains the following supplemental features:

Interview with Director Bi Gan (HD, 10:20) is a must-see for fans of the filmmaker hoping to learn more about his vision for the story. Bi Gan gives some interesting insights into how the filmmaking was constructed and the epic one-take of the film. He also discusses his love of video-games and specifically how that was an influence. Please Note: The interview is subtitled in English.

Interview with Huang Jue (HD, 9:23) features the lead actor of Long Day's Journey Into Night discussing his role in the film and what he felt he brought to the part. The interview is certainly engaging and will offer fans insights that they didn't have before. Please Note: The interview is subtitled in English.

Making-of documentary (HD, 1:40) is essentially a behind-the-scenes featurette rather than a full-fledged making-of production. The title of the extra is somewhat misleading and unfortunately the piece is far from substantial with regards to covering the production. Nonetheless, there are a few interesting tidbits explored and its worth a view.

U.S. Trailer (HD, 2:16)

Chinese Trailer (HD, 1:14)

Long Day's Journey Into Night 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A remarkable cinematic achievement, Long Day's Journey Into Night is a must-see event film for fans of international cinema. The visuals are astonishing and the film has a hypnotic style that is impossible to ignore. The Blu-ray release features both 3D and 2D presentation options and a selection of enticing extras. An excellent release which is well worth owning. Highly recommended.