8.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
The drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people are shattered when their addictions run deep.
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonaldDrama | 100% |
Psychological thriller | 57% |
Surreal | 45% |
Period | 39% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Be, excited, be, be, excited!
Darren Aronofsky's masterpiece of terror proves more frightening than any film featuring a masked
killer or a creature from another world, but it's not about murders or scary monsters, except, of
course, those that man brings on himself and those that reside deep within his very essence.
Requiem for a Dream plays like a living nightmare, a never-ending descent into
self-imposed hellacious prisons with no bars, no guards, and no sentences, a place where addicts go
on
their own accord and live in agony in hopes of somehow, someway, finding answers in the pleasure
that becomes pain that becomes death -- emotionally at first and, eventually, physically -- in what
seems like the blink of an eye. Beginning innocently enough, that "one hit" to calm the nerves or
those pills that promise to instantly drop those pesky 20 pounds that just can't be gone soon
enough lead to maddening obsessions that can't be shaken, that tear down lives, that wear down
the body, and that shred the soul.
What's the pill-to-pound ratio, again?
Requiem for a Dream delivers a quality 1080p transfer framed inside a 1.85:1 window. The image appears slightly overblown in several scenes, with an unnatural sense of brightness to it that nevertheless seems to reflect the intended look of the film suitably well. Detail appears as above average but not absolutely striking; objects scattered about Mrs. Goldfarb's apartment, for instance, appear sharp and finely rendered both in the foreground in the more distant background areas as well. The most impressive details stem from the many extreme close-up shots in the film. Aronofsky often zooms in tight on skin, eyes, and lips, and the fine details -- particularly in chapped, dehydrated lips as seen later in the film -- offer startling clarity. Colors are finely rendered but don't pop off the screen, appearing as slightly washed out from time to time but never looking too terribly dull. There's minimal visible grain but there's little in the way of distracting artifacts. This Blu-ray release of Requiem for a Dream offers up a solid transfer but one that's not visually spectacular.
Requiem for a Dream arrives on Blu-ray with a powerful DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack. The music as heard over the opening credits plays through every one of the speakers in the 7.1 configuration, a trend that holds through the course of the picture. The musical presentation enjoys excellent clarity and precision across the entire dynamic range; Clint Mansell's now-iconic score has never sounded better. The harsh strings that punctuate the madness and depravity of the film are duplicated here wonderfully. There are plenty of unnerving sound effects throughout, for instance those that accompany the drug preparation scenes or several hallucinations, including one revolving around a refrigerator with a mind of its own as heard in chapter 13. Bass isn't prevalent throughout, but when it arrives, it makes its presence felt. Other assorted sound effects, many far more subtle, permeate the soundstage as well. Whether visions of cupcakes and donuts flying around the soundstage or the gentle sounds of the Atlantic's rolling waves, the track handles a broad range of effects superbly. Dialogue delivery never falters, and even Keith David's booming voice is handled well. Requiem for a Dream relies heavily on its soundtrack to compliment the tone of the film, and this DTS-HD MA 7.1 offering is up to the task.
Requiem for a Dream comes to Blu-ray with a healthy dosage of supplements. First up are two filmmaker commentaries, beginning with a track featuring Director Darren Aronofsky. Recorded almost nine years ago, the director speaks on the difficulty of making the film, recounting his fascination with the book, stylistic choices that shaped the tone of the picture, the score, the acting, and much more. This is a fine track that makes for a solid compliment to the film. The second track features Director of Photography Matthew Libatique. Obviously, this track isn't as balanced as the director offering, focusing primarily on the technical nitty-gritty behind the creation of the film's look and shooting style. It comes recommended to budding filmmakers and cinematographers. The Making of 'Requiem for a Dream' (480p, 35:23) is a solid behind-the-scenes piece that offers raw footage from the set that covers a wide array of topics, including shooting techniques, makeup application, and more, all complimented by commentary from the director recorded after the fact. Memories, Dreams, & Addictions: Ellen Burstyn Interviews Hubert Selby, Jr. (480p, 19:56) is a piece that features the Oscar-winning actress asking questions of the author of the novel Requiem for a Dream. Also included is a collection of nine deleted scenes with optional director commentary, the film's teaser (480p, 1:36) and theatrical (480p, 1:37) trailers, and two TV spots (480p, 0:17 & 0:32).
It can be effectively argued that Requiem for a Dream works too well, is too effective, and by extension, is nearly impossible to watch. Certainly there's no emotional appeal here; the film is a downer in every sense of the word as it grates on the audience that cannot help but take the fall with each character as their lives go from oddly fascinating to downright repulsive in what seems like the blink of an eye or, in this case, the popping of a pill or the prick of a needle. Nevertheless, Requiem for a Dream is required viewing for most any audience of an appropriate age and maturity level that can take the film to heart and understand exactly what it's putting on display. It's the cinematic equivalent of touching a hot stove; it's worth experiencing for the life lesson and is something that will in some way stay with each and every viewer that dares absorb what it has to offer. Not a movie for the timid but exactly the sort of film that needs to be seen, Requiem for a Dream is the stuff of nightmares, but better to see it on-screen and in a safe environment than to learn its lessons the hard way. Lionsgate's Blu-ray release of this disturbing modern classic impresses. Featuring a sound 1080p transfer, a somewhat better lossless soundtrack, and a solid array of bonus materials, Requiem for a Dream comes highly recommended despite its limited replay value.
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