7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", but before he can answer the final question, he's arrested for cheating. While being interrogated, he explains how his life struggle has provided all the answers.
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan KhanDrama | 100% |
Crime | 71% |
Romance | 49% |
Coming of age | 31% |
Mystery | 25% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy (on disc)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Is Slumdog Millionaire the little movie that could? As the recipient of the Best Picture Academy Award this year, most would be surprised to learn that the film almost didn't even find a release in the United States or many other parts of the world. Initially financed by Warner Independent Pictures, the film was kicked to the curb when the indy studio closed its doors and all of its films were transferred into the hands of Warner Brothers. Convinced that the film had limited commercial appeal, Warner slated Slumdog Millionaire for a direct to DVD release and eventually sold off the US rights to Fox Searchlight. Fox couldn't have made a better buy, as Slumdog Millionaire has gone on to earn just under $300 million at the box office worldwide, while running away with a whopping eight Oscars at the 81st Academy Awards. Not too shabby for a little movie about a bunch of impoverished orphans from the slums of Mumbai, India.
Is that your final answer?
Shot with a combination of film and video cameras, Slumdog Millionaire comes to Blu-
ray with its distinctively stylized appearance intact. It's a unique looking movie with an
abundance of moody, almost monochromatic photography, designed to depict the seemingly
infinite mass of Mumbai residents in a style that never glamorizes their suffering. As a
matter of fact, director of photography Anthony Dod Mantle's rich photography was honored
with the Academy Award for achievement in cinematography just last month. Given the film's
pedigree and award recognition, Fox has given Slumdog Millionaire a high bitrate
AVC Mpeg-4 1080p encode, in the film's original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1, that
captures the movie's groundbreaking style to perfection.
Slumdog Millionaire isn't a traditionally "pretty" film, rather, it's a gritty realization of
the realities of slum life in India. Regardless, the film's unique landscapes and industrial
locations take on a picturesque quality that becomes more and more visually appealing as
the film unfolds, in spite of its desolate nature. The movie maintains a brownish color
scheme throughout with washed out colors and intentionally tweaked contrast levels.
Detail isn't particularly great throughout the film, but does occasionally reveal finer elements
in the photography. Fortunately, the film is never hindered by edge enhancement,
excessive digital noise reduction or other digital annoyances. Slumdog Millionaire is
fully present in all of its unwashed and gritty glory on Blu-ray; the film is completely accurate
to its intended look and is highly recommended.
Slumdog Millionaire features a bizarre 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, mixing English
and Hindi dialogue, that serves as a lively representation of the bustling streets of the
slums of Mumbai. The film's unique sound design was honored with an Academy Award in
2008 and has been faithfully reproduced on this Blu-ray release. As the film flashes
between scenes of Jamal's childhood, incarceration and game show appearance, the
soundtrack echoes the aural signature of each locale, creating a swirling surround
experience that never fails to entice. I was very impressed with the film's use of discreet
surround effects in the Mumbai scenes; the effects help to create a sense of heightened
reality that infuses realism with sonic exaggeration.
My favorite aspect of the soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire is its Academy Award
winning score from Indian composer A.R. Rahman; it's a lively and raucous collection of
eclectic Indian tunes that add a layer of authenticity to each scene, while remaining melodic
and enticingly rhythmic. The score is beautifully presented on this Blu-ray release,
practically exploding from the soundstage and dominating all 5.1 channels. Dialogue is
crisply presented, though the cast's thick Indian accents may prove to be problematic for
some viewers. Ultimately, Slumdog Millionaire's
audio presentation manages to be both exciting and subtle when required, dutifully
reproducing the award-winning sonic elements of this deserving production. Highly
recommended!
Here's what's included:
- Feature Length Audio Commentary with Director Danny Boyle and Actor Dev Patel
- Feature Length Audio Commentary with Producer Christian Colson and writer Simon
Beaufoy
- "Slumdog Dreams: Danny Boyle & The Making of Slumdog Millionaire"
- Deleted Scenes
- From Script To Screen: Toilet Scene
- Indian Short Film – "Manjha"
- Bombay Liquid Dance Music Video
The main attraction among the extras featured on Slumdog Millionaire, comes in the
form of Danny Boyle's and Dev Patel's outstanding audio commentary. The track is almost
as enjoyable as the film itself, with both participants going into great depth regarding
filming in Mumbai, as well as the camaraderie between the film's various cast members.
Boyle's and Patel's senses of humor and lighthearted wit give the track an infectious charm
that will appeal to even the most fervent commentary detractor. There are a TON of deleted
scenes include, as well. None are particularly game changing for the film's plot, but most do
offer some additional insight into the story. The set also features an outstanding
documentary feature called "Slumdog Dreams." It's a nicely put together piece that
manages to avoid making-of clichés. Finally, a strange music video and Indian short film are
also included, though they might not appeal to general audiences.
Slumdog Millionaire surprised audiences around the world with its original and warm-hearted storytelling, especially considering the film's somewhat depressing subject matter. Director Danny Boyle has made a career out of crafting unique movies that, despite not having much in common with one another, manage to focus on the human experience regardless of the setting. Slumdog Millionaire succeeds because of its boundless optimism and sunny outlook; the film's characters find happiness and satisfaction because of their humble lives, not in spite of them. Fox has delivered the film to Blu-ray with a faithful transfer that perfectly realizes the film's heavily stylized look. Audio is also nicely presented in the form of a stellar 5.1 DTS HD-Master Audio track that delivers the film's Hindi and English dialogue with aplomb. The film's supplements, while limited in number, are highly enjoyable. Slumdog Millionaire is an inspiring and entertaining film that has found a welcome home on Blu- ray. Highly recommended!
Cidade de Deus
2002
1954
1987-1990
Extended Director's Cut
1984
2007
1945
1936
2008
60th Anniversary Edition
1962
2014
1931
2018
1986
1976
2013
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2009
1997
1951
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2009