6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
A victim of a brutal attack finds a unique and beautiful therapeutic outlet to help him through his recovery process.
Starring: Steve Carell, Leslie Mann, Diane Kruger, Merritt Wever, Janelle MonáeBiography | 100% |
Imaginary | 49% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Legendary Director Robert Zemeckis (the Back to the Future trilogy) has always seemed drawn to wonder and driven by imagination. Few filmmakers seem to take the term "movie magic" to heart quite like he does, which for Zemeckis means spearheading the next great breakthrough in visual effects, in creating that movie magic not simply through storytelling but also through digital manipulation. Whether the real world meets the animated world of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, the green screen greatness of Forrest Gump, or building entire movies via motion capture, Zemeckis' embrace of technology has resulted in some of the most fundamentally magical movie watching experiences of the past few decades. In Welcome to Marwen, Zemeckis anthropomorphizes highly detailed dolls that serve as one physically and emotionally battered man's coping mechanisms. The film's visuals are another example of Zemeckis' willingness to push new technologies, but unlike his other visual spectaculars this one lacks a feel for truly building on the foundational heart and purpose inherent to the material, even if it should be one of the most heartfelt and purposeful of all his films.
Welcome to Marwen's digitally photographed source reveals a quality Blu-ray viewing experience. The live action scenes reveal stable, complex textures that showcase the intricacies of the various models and dolls and support elements Mark (or the film's production team, as the case may be) has painstakingly crafted with all of the necessary details to bring the world as it's seen to striking, detailed life. His home interior, filled with random odds and ends, including a number of handwritten notes to himself, present with impeccably clear and precise stability. Character faces and clothing details are as crisp and complex as the format allows. Colors, here, are likewise pleasing, with special note of the more cheerful shades Nicol brings to the film, whether through her colorful attire or the walls in her home, which appears in contrast to the more dreary, less visually dynamic environment that is Mark's home. The digital Marwen scenes are excellent, with the plastic characters showing the proper level of clarity and their worlds and clothes precisely defined, whether war-torn exteriors in Marwen or Hogie's leather jacket. Black levels and skin tones appear perfectly dialed in. Noise is minimal and no significant source or encode flaws are apparent.
It's a bit unusual to see a new release Universal disc with the Dolby TrueHD encode, but here it is. Welcome to Marwen's 5.1 lossless soundtrack is quite robust, particularly during the Marwen action scenes. The track produces solid bass and explosive stage envelopment during the opening flak attack (though dialogue is a little lacking in perfect prioritization and clarity here, understandable given the chaos defining the scene). A barrage of gunfire in a scene that mixes the real and imagined worlds in chapter five features shots tearing through the stage with highly impressive vigor and zip via full stage coverage. Weapons fire in Marwen proper is impressive, particularly when the girls fire an unnecessary number of rounds at German soldiers, who are pelted with gunfire in what becomes silly over-the-top excess and understandably therapeutic for Mark. The track is in full command of various light atmospherics in both worlds. Music flows freely about the front with excellent detail and modest surround support. Dialogue is clear and center-focused for the duration.
Welcome to Marwen contains deleted scenes and several featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are
included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.
Welcome to Marwen is a good movie that falls short of greatness. The picture's story is compelling and its lead character fascinating, but Zemeckis expends most of his energy on the Marwen scenes and less on the flesh-and-blood points of character and dramatic interest. The film is based on the Documentary Marwencol, which is not required viewing for this movie but it is the better telling of it, even if this is the superior "movie" in terms of technical construction. Universal's Blu-ray is technically sound and a few extras are included. Recommended.
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Intouchables / Untouchable
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