Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Neon Demon Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Stephen Larson November 22, 2016

Nicolas Winding Refn's "The Neon Demon" (2016) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of German label Koch Films GmbH. This four-disc limited edition MediaBook contains a BD-50 with the main feature and extras, a Bonus DVD with additional features, the movie soundtrack CD, and a DVD with the film and same bonus materials as the Blu-ray. In English, with optional German subtitles for the main feature. Region "B" locked.

I previously reviewed U.S.-based Broad Green Pictures' edition of The Neon Demon. You can read my thoughts on the film here.

The Neon Demon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Neon Demon appears in its original theatrical aspect ratio of approximately 2.39:1 on this BD-50. The DC print appears to be the same one that Broad Green used on its release. One aspect that impressed me again is the level of detail shown during the L.A. cityscape and skyline shots. Each edition sports average video bitrates of 29.9 Mbps; B.G.P. nudges slightly ahead of Koch with a total bitrate of 36.15 Mbps. If I had to choose one transfer over the other, I would lean towards the U.S. but most viewers will not notice substantial differences.

The Neon Demon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Koch has provided two audio tracks for the main feature: an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and a German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 dub. Because Koch felt obligated to include a dub for the German/Austrian market, it sacrifices bitrate quantity (but not necessarily quality) on the English-speaking track. The original sound track on this disc contains a bit depth of 16 and a bitrate of 1769 kbps. By contrast, the bitrate on Broad Green's main track is nearly doubled. If the Broad Green audio mix has a flaw, though, it is that music is not especially well dispersed across the fronts, particularly the center channel. For too often, I had to reach for my remote and increase the volume to really hear Cliff Martinez's score. On Koch's disc, however, music is better amplified across all front channels. Further, in the scene where Ruby escorts Jesse to a local nightclub to meet Gigi and Sarah, my floor shook as a diegetic rendition of Sweet Tempest's "Mine" played. Dialogue is consistently clear. Koch has supplied optional German subtitles but no English subs.

The Neon Demon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: In advance of its various releases of The Neon Demon, Koch announced on its website that it would be including an exclusive audio commentary with Refn and editor Matthew Newman. Unfortunately, that track was cancelled for reasons unknown.

Blu-ray

• Introduction from Director Nicolas Winding Refn (:13, 1080p) - This very short intro by Refn to his latest film loads after the disc is inserted. In English, with optional German subtitles.

• Audio Commentary with Nicolas Winding Refn and Elle Fanning - This is the same track as Broad Green's release as well as Icon Home Entertainment's U.K. edition. In English, not subtitled.

• Interview with Director Nicolas Winding Refn in Venice (34:27, 1080p) - Presented by Midnight Factory, this interview with Refn is the standout among all the supplements. Refn speaks slowly and deliberately as he emphasizes each point. (The Dane's English is very good.) The filmmaker defines his notion of "heightened reality," discusses his early and recent films, unpacks The Neon Demon's themes, and explains what he wanted his picture to convey to the audience. The nice thing is that Refn does not repeat a lot of information from his commentary track and when he does, he expresses something in a different way. In English, with optional German subtitles.

• Interview with Cliff Martinez at Soundtrack Cologne (23:53, 1080p) - Martinez talks about his collaborations with Nicolas Winding Refn and Steven Soderbergh and how those partnerships differ from the solo projects he's done with other directors. The interviewer has good ideas embedded in his questions but he doesn't always structure them well for Martinez. He seems to act impatiently if the composer doesn't respond right away and then probes him with a leading question. Martinez is a soft-spoken, down-to-earth fellow. Although he doesn't give huge insights into the scoring of The Neon Demon, he provides a nice overview of his career with several anecdotes. In English, with optional German subtitles.

• Behind the Scenes (3:38, 1080p) - Refn and Fanning are interviewed while footage of the fashion show scene is intercut with their remarks. In English, with optional German subtitles.

• Nicolas Winding Refn - Storytellers (22:42, 1080p) - Originally broadcast on Sky Cinema HD in Italy, this is a sit-down chat with Refn in front of a live audience. Although Refn speaks in English, there is Italian voice-overs that provide translation. In Italian, with optional German subtitles.

• Teaser (:34, 1080p) - A Koch-made teaser trailer for Refn's film with options of English audio and a German dub.

• Trailer (1:39, 1080p) - This appears to be the official American trailer for The Neon Demon that was oddly left off Broad Green's disc. It's a small but nice inclusion and has DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound. Like the teaser, there is an English trailer and a German dub.

• Picture Gallery (5:02, 1080p) - Over sixty high-resolution images from the production of The Neon Demon are played as a slide slow, accompanied by Sia's "Waving Goodbye" and Martinez's "Messenger Walks Among Us."

• Booklet - Housed in a thick MediaBook, this twenty-page booklet contains production notes of The Neon Demon in German, a soundtrack listing for the CD, as well as eight color photos.

Soundtrack Album

• Audio CD with Original Soundtrack - This soundtrack contains twenty-three tracks, including twenty cues composed by Cliff Martinez. Martinez's music jives brilliantly with Refn's images and it's an added bonus to have his score on CD.

Bonus DVD

• Nicolas Winding Refn & Alejandro Jodorowsky at Filmfest München (41:00, 576i, PAL) - Refn his joined by one of his filmmaking heroes at Filmfest München, 2013. Refn recounts his admiration for Jodorowsky at a relatively early age and how he discovered El Topo. Jodorowsky occasionally speaks in English but his discourse on filmmaking is primarily in Spanish, with English translation provided by the moderator. In English and Spanish, with optional German subtitles.

• Nicolas Winding Refn Masterclass at Filmfest München (37:36, 576i, PAL) - Refn delivers an oral biography on his background and film education at Filmfest München, 2012. He also takes questions from the audience. In English, with optional German subtitles.

The Neon Demon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Even if you own Broad Green Pictures or Icon Home Entertainment's releases of The Neon Demon, this deluxe four-disc set issued by Koch Media represents the most complete package of the movie worldwide. It loses B.G.P.'s two brief featurettes but adds nearly 150 minutes of new English-friendly supplements. While Koch's lossless audio does not have as dynamic a mix for sound effects and general ambiance as B.G.P., its spatial reproduction of the musical cues is arguably superior. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and get it while supplies last.