7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A servant and his master fall for a beautiful singer in this period film inspired by a classic Korean fable.
Starring: Kim Ju-hyuk, Ryu Seung-beom, Cho Yeo-jeong, Oh Dal-su, Choi Moo-seongForeign | 100% |
Drama | 63% |
Romance | 30% |
History | 17% |
Erotic | 7% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Korean: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Korean, English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Kim Dae-woo's "The Servant" (2010) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include two audio commentaries; making of featurette; interviews; and the film's original theatrical trailer. In Korean, with optional English and Korean subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The Lovers
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Kim Dae-woo's The Servant arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment.
There are no surprises here - The Servant looks excellent on Blu-ray. Fine object detail is indeed terrific, clarity pleasing, and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. Color reproduction is wonderful, and the various panoramic vistas from the countryside literally look like moving pictures. The scene where Bang-ja carries Chun-hyang through the forest, for instance, looks absolutely stunning. Edge-enhancement is never a serious issue of concern; neither is macroblocking. I also did not see any traces of heavy noise reduction. On the contrary, when blown through a digital projector The Servant looks lush and crisp but also natural. Lastly, there are no serious stability issues. I also did not see any flacks, scratches, damage marks, or stains to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, CJ Entertainment have provided optional English and Korean subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The audio treatment is as impressive as the video treatment. Though there are only a few scenes that are likely to test the muscles of your audio system, you will be pleased with the wide range of nuanced dynamics the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track houses. There are a few excellent surround effects as well. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and exceptionally easy to follow. I also did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts to report in this review. The English translation is good, but I did notice a few syntax errors.
Note: I would like to apologize to our readers for not being able to comment on the supplemental features included on this Blu-ray disc. Unfortunately, they are all listed in Korean and not subtitled in English. Even the names of the participants in the two audio commentaries are listed in Korean only. However, all of them are playable on North American PS3s and SAs. The supplemental features include two audio commentaries, making of featurette; interviews; and the film's original theatrical trailer.
Beautiful, bold and unconventional, The Servant is for viewers with open minds and big hearts. It is a wonderful Korean period film by the writer of the provocative Untold Scandal, Kim Dae-woo. See it. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment, looks and sounds terrific. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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