Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Parasite Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 20, 2020

Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" (2019) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new video interviews with cast and crew members; new audio commentary by Bong Joon-ho and critic Tony Rayns; footage from the Cannes Film Festival press conference; and more. In Korean, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

In the United States, Parasite was initially released on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Marty Liebman's reviews of these releases here and here.

Parasite Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Parasite arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

This release contains two versions of the film, each placed on a separate disc -- color version and black-and-white version. On my system both looked exceptional. The color version in particular boasts tremendous depth and superb ranges of nuances. (I have not seen the 4K Blu-ray release, but I cannot imagine how anyone can be disappointed with the quality of the 1080p visuals). Fluidity is terrific as well, though this should not be surprising considering the fact that Parasite is a very recent film that was shot with top quality equipment. The primary colors are rich, incredibly well-defined and with fantastic ranges of nuances. Again, hardly surprising. The black-and-white version has a different vibe. In the darker areas the dynamic range of the visuals is actually quite different, so a lot of the more subtle nuances that give the color version its identity are missing. Depth, delineation, and clarity are again terrific. Image stability is outstanding on both versions. Finally, there are no encoding anomalies to report in our review. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Parasite Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Both versions of the film can be viewed with Korean Dolby Atmos audio tracks. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I viewed the black-and-white version in its entirety and thought that the quality of the audio was exceptional. Clarity, separation, and depth were simply terrific. I am unsure what else to say because right from the get-go it is very easy to tell that the entire soundtrack was mixed by the highest modern standards. There are no technical anomalies to report in our review.

Parasite Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE - BLACK-AND-WHITE VERSION

• Introduction - an exclusive new video introduction to the black-and-white version of Parasite by director Bong Joon-ho. In Korean, with optional English subtitles. (6 min, 1080p).

• Trailer - an original trailer for the black-and-white version of the film. In Korean, with imposed English subtitles. (2 min, 1080p).

• New Korean Cinema - in this new program, directors Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) discuss the evolution of modern Korean cinema and some of the key themes that defined and popularized it around the world. In Korean, with optional English subtitles. (13 min, 1080p).

• Cannes Press Conference - presented here is footage from the press conference that was held at the Cannes Film Festival where Parasite won the Palme d'Or Award. Director Bong Joon-ho and cast members Song Kang-ho, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, and Park So-dam, amongst others are present at the event. In English. (29 min, 1080i).

• Lumiere Master Class - presented here is a master class with Bong Joon-ho hosted by filmmaker Betrand Tavernier (Death Watch). The event covers a wide range of topics, from the conception of Parasite to film distribution in South Korea. In French and Korean, with optional English subtitles. (88 min, 1080p).

• Storyboard Comparison - this program compares storyboards, drawn by Bong Joon-ho, that depict the Kim family leaving the Park home with the corresponding scene from the film. The program was produced in 2020. (7 min, 1080p).

BLU-RAY DISC TWO - COLOR VERSION

• Trailers - original trailers for Parasite. In Korean, with imposed English subtitles. (5 min, 1080p).

• Bong Joon-ho - in this new video interview, director Bong Joon-ho discusses the conception, production, and tone of Parasite with critic Darcy Paquet. There are some particularly interesting comments about the lensing/framing choices that were made in key parts of the film. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion. In Korean, with optional English subtitles. (37 min, 1080p).

• Hong Kyung-pyo - in this new video interview, cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo discusses his collaboration with Bong Joon-ho on Parasite and how the two developed the visual style of the film. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion. In Korean, with optional English subtitles. (21 min, 1080p).

• Lee Ha-jun - in this new video interview, production designer Lee Ha-jun discusses his contribution to Parasite as well as Bong Joon-ho's working methods. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion. In Korean, with optional English subtitles. (23 min, 1080p).

• Yang Jinmo - in this new video interview, editor Yang Jinmo discusses some of the specific techniques that were used during the editing of Parasite. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion. In Korean, with optional English subtitles. (16 min, 1080p).

• Commentary - in this new video interview, Bong Joon-ho and critic Tony Rayns discuss in great detail the production and technical construction of Parasite, the symbolism behind some of the visual contrasts in the film, thematic similarities with some of the director's earlier films, the characterizations, etc.

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic Inkoo Kang as well as technical credits.

Parasite Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Parasite is so overstylized that the sense of intimacy that permeates Bong Joon-ho's early films and makes them unique is completely lost. Additionally, the social contrasts that are supposed to give its narrative a structure are mismanaged in ways that make the entire project look like an underdeveloped parody. I did not like it at all. If your take on it is drastically different, I think that Criterion's upcoming two-disc set belongs in your collection. It offers the black-and-white version of the film as well as a number of exclusive new bonus features with director Bong Joon-ho and cast and crew members. RECOMMENDED to the fans.