6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A couple's first date takes an unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over.
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine, Chloë Sevigny, FleaDrama | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The filmmakers behind Queen & Slim tackle the unenviable task of crafting a movie that is both black and white and shades of gray, where everybody is in some ways right and where everybody is in some ways wrong, where there are no heroes or villains, and that speaks to one of the most impassioned topics in today's hot-button response society. First-time feature film Director Melina Matsoukas and Writer Lena Waithe accomplish much with the movie, exploring race and violence and the response to the intersections thereof in the modern world, but they also struggle to offer solutions within the tangled web of right and wrong that defines the movie beyond its violence, romance, road trip, and social exploration angles.
Queen & Slim was photographed primarily on film and translates exceptionally well to Blu-ray. The film begins at night, with low light exterior and interior venues that minimize tonal output but maximize black level depth. Clarity holds true even through the pervading darkness, revealing fine skin, clothing, and environmental textures with ease. By chapter six, daylight begins to break and colors are revealed to be a bit muted, even in would-be high output areas where natural greens or odds and ends around an open mechanic's shop don't lack color but do lack intensity. The colors are well saturated within the visual parameters, however. Texturally, the image is quite strong, boasting refined skin and hair details, strongly defined clothing lines, and well versed location details, including that aforementioned mechanic's shop where grime and dust and rust and wear and tear are all in abundance. Skin tones are strong and black levels are of fair quality, appearing a little light and washed out. Noise is kept to a minimum and no other source or encode artifacts are apparent. This is a very high quality release from Universal.
Queen & Slim's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is a treat. It is impressively full and detailed, spacious and organic in output. It's efficient and powerful, immersive and satisfying. Blues beats inside a bar in chapter 10 deliver the most intense and well defined sound elements in the film. The low end bass guitar notes are supremely dynamic and the environment is lifelike; the soundstage is full of musical goodness. It's a reference quality moment that absolutely transforms the listening area into the soul-soothing environment. Crowd protest din in chapter 14 is also fully immersive and clear, even with the collected cacophony of voices and raucous nature of the event. Intermix it with music and the scene's dynamic nature is brought fully to life, particularly as it's punctuated by a terrifying moment of violence. Light ambient effects are agreeably positioned and music flows with excellent stage stretch, depth, and clarity throughout the entire range. Dialogue is clear and presents with a refined, steady front-center and well prioritized posture.
Queen & Slim includes 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.
Queen & Slim has much to say but never quite finds its voice in full. Superb lead performances carry a movie that is otherwise questionably paced and uncertain of what to make of its characters, particularly in how it asks the audience to respond to them. It's worth a watch for its stabs at social commentary but the material never quite materializes with the depth and breadth the story demands. Universal's Blu-ray does deliver first-rate video and audio presentations. A few quality extras are included. Worth a look.
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25th Anniversary Edition
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Ruth & Alex
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