7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.6 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.8 |
Benjamin Button is a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. From New Orleans at the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, on a journey as unusual as any man's life can be, this is the grand tale of a not so ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds and loses, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason FlemyngDrama | 100% |
Period | 60% |
Epic | 52% |
Mystery | 31% |
Melodrama | 30% |
Romance | 28% |
Imaginary | 18% |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
You can be mad as a mad dog at the way things went. You can swear and curse the fates.
But
when it comes to the end, you have to let go.
A man is born, lives, and dies. Simplicity at its peak. Nature at its best. The world revolving as
always. Nothing new, nothing surprising, nothing noteworthy -- until something changes.
The
Curious Case of Benjamin Button tells the story of a man's life, his physical and emotional
growth, his struggles, his triumphs, his failures, his loves, and his death. He leads a normal life,
one
filled with sweeping adventures, love, friendship, happiness, sorrow, and all of life's emotions and
experiences that define one's character, one's heart, and one's soul. In the eyes of the
passer-by,
at a glance, a snapshot, or an instant -- Benjamin's Button's life was no more or no less
interesting
than that of most others -- except for the fact that he experienced it backwards. Born an infant
but with
the physical characteristics of an elderly man, and growing younger rather than older with time,
the
entirety of Benjamin's life was marked by his astonishing and seemingly incomprehensible
development. Regardless of his
differences, no matter his stage in life, and despite his very existence that defied all logic and
scientific explanation, Benjamin's place in the world remained firmly grounded in love -- both
given and received. Stamina,
strength, vision, and hair may come and
go, but man's one everlasting quality, no matter his age or physical appearance -- the simple act
of
love -- proves
once again to be the foundation of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual contentment
regardless of how normal, or abnormal, a man may be.
Born under unusual circumstances.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button unfolds on Blu-ray with a stellar 1080p, 2.39:1-framed transfer. Shot almost exclusively -- and transfered to Blu-ray -- digitally, this transfer is a pristine example of high definition photography at its very best. From the opening studio logos where a cloudburst of buttons rain onto the screen and onward, the image impresses, this opening scene only hinting at the clarity and definition of the transfer to come. Parts of the transfer are less-than-pristine, but intentionally so; some of the flashbacks scenes show intentional damage and wear: vertical lines run through the image, accompanied by flickering, spots, and speckles, reminiscent, in a way, of Planet Terror but here instead intending to recreate the look of film from a far earlier era than the 1970s. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button features plenty of dark scenes; the opening nighttime shots in post-World War One New Orleans feature deep and dark blacks, while interior shots offer a heavy yellow and golden tint, many colors washed away under the sepia-toned appearance. Detail is excellent, too. The crusty brick walls of Queenie's bedroom reveal plenty of texture and information, while the more lavishly-appointed, warmer, and more inviting interior of the nursing home looks relaxed and cozy. The inside of a revival tent, too, seen in chapter three, reveals all the grime and dirt on the cloth sides. When the film sees brighter colors, it truly sparkles. Young Daisy's bright blue eyes dominate every frame they are in; the yellow of a taxi features an extraordinarily real tone; and various outdoor shots offer vibrant greens that are stunning, to say the least, across the entire spectrum. Flesh tones, too, are rendered nicely. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button's digital transfer is sharp as a tack and makes for a reference Blu-ray disc from Criterion.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button features a high quality and realistic DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The film presents a broad spectrum of sonic experiences, each excelling in the lossless presentation. Subtle sound effects that add a lifelike touch to the film sound great in most every segment. Rain hitting the window, the sounds of the medical machines in the room, and the chatter in the hallways of the 2005 New Orleans hospital, all make for a nice, realistic experience. The track picks up in intensity as it flashes back to the night of the end of the Great War. Fireworks explode all around the soundstage with solid, deep, and rattling lows while revelers cheer in the streets and cause quite the audible ruckus, the listener immediately placed in their midst. Music, too, deeply and clearly penetrates the listening area, with a wonderful amount of detail and clarity, focused mainly in the front but with strong rear-channel and subwoofer support. Many sound effects are quite powerful; the blasts of thunder that precede Hurricane Katrina and the fog horn of Captain Mike's tugboat, for example, feature tight, low bass and a realistic presence. Perhaps most impressive is a shootout on the high seas during World War Two. Presented in chapter seven, the sequence is a sonic marvel, the tracer rounds audibly flying across the soundstage with the impacts of the bullets both heard and felt as they clank off metal in every corner of the listening area. Also featuring clear and precise dialogue reproduction, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button makes for an outstanding soundtrack.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button debuts on Blu-ray with plenty of bonus features,
most of which may be found on a second disc. Inside the case is a small insert with technical
notes
on the video and audio transfer, supplemental video credits, key cast and crew listings, and the
essay The Man Who Watched the World Go By by Kent Jones. Disc one of the set
begins
with a commentary track featuring Director David Fincher. Fincher offers a solid track that flows
well and proves entertaining and informative. His information is pertinent and insightful,
discussing the small tidbits of the film and lines of dialogue that lend to the film it's overall feel,
casting, the performances, effects, and plenty more. Also included is a timeline where viewers
may select a scene based on the segment of the film or the themes of the commentary.
Disc two features The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (1080i, 2:55:24), a
documentary lengthier than the film itself. The piece is divided into four sections (First,
Second, and
Third Trimester and Birth) with some segments not
included in the "play all" option. First Trimester begins with Preface (3:08), a
short
piece featuring Director David Fincher discussing life, death, and briefly touching on the
overreaching theme of the film. Development and Pre-Production (28:56) examines the
history of the project more than 20 years in the making, featuring a series of interviews with
most
of the primary cast and crew and behind-the-scenes footage, focusing on, among other things,
the
casting, the proposed use of technology in the film, and the shooting locations. Next up in
First Trimester are three features not included in the "play all" option: Tech
Scouts (12:23), a piece featuring the crew discussing shooting locations and how they will be
incorporated into the film, Storyboard Gallery, and Art Direction Gallery.
Second Trimester begins with Production: Part 1 (26:15) and Production:
Part 2, a pair of segments that look at the making
of various scenes and a discussion of the breadth of the production, populated by raw
behind-the-scenes footage, plenty of interview clips with cast and crew, a look at the construction
of props, sets, and special effects, the challenge of assembling some shots and creating specific
looks for each location, the importance of precise acting to the film, and more. Also included are
two features not included in the "play all" option, the self-describing Costume Design
(7:38) and Costume Gallery.
Third Trimester focuses on effects and music. Visual Effects: Performance
Capture (7:43) looks at the role that advanced, computer-based effects techniques played in
bringing the
movie to life. Visual Effects: Benjamin (16:55) takes a highly fascinating look at the
complexities of bringing Benjamin's character to life, showing the lengthy physical and digital
processes necessary to get the look and performance just right. Visual Effects:
Youthenization (6:21) looks at the technology behind "digital facelifts." Visual Effects:
'The Chelsea' (8:48) examines the process of bringing the ship and the environments around
it to realistic life. Visual Effects: The Simulated World (12:52) features an examination
of bringing historical locations to the screen. Sound Design (16:06) takes an interesting
look at adding to and editing the film's sound effects and dialogue. Finally, Desplat's
Instrumentarium (14:53) takes an in-depth look at the film's score.
Birth features two segments. First up is Premiere (4:20), a short but
entertaining piece showcasing the film's New Orleans premiere on December 1, 2008,
accompanied by reflections from the cast and crew. Also included is a segment not available via
the "play all" option, Production Stills. Rounding out the supplements are a pair of
theatrical trailers (1080p, 1:49 & 2:42).
Suffice it to say, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button represents cinema at its finest. Recounting a simple tale; easing the burden of, but not eliminating, the more weighty and deeper complexities of the narrative; and presented with tenderness and affection for the story, the characters, and the medium of film itself, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button makes for enthralling, moving, and important cinema. Though failing to garner the Best Picture Oscar in a year featuring several deserving films, there is no doubt that it will continue to be recognized as a monumental accomplishment in filmmaking for its approach, themes, acting, and special effects. The Criterion Collection presents The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Blu-ray with stellar results, the disc easily one of the best overall packages on the market, taking into account the strength of the film, the reference-grade technical presentation, and the inclusion of plenty of worthwhile bonus features. This disc easily and enthusiastically earns my highest recommendation.
2008
Academy Awards O-Sleeve
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Paramount 100th Anniversary
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