Check out our review of this engaging biopic that chronicles James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
91
Details:
Studio and Year: Universal - 2014
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 139 minutes
Genre: Drama/Biopic
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC
Video Aspect: 1.85:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, French DTS 5.1, Spanish Stereo
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Craig Robinson
Directed by: Tate Taylor
Music by: Thomas Newman
Written by:Jez Buterworth & John-Henry Butterworth
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: January 6, 2015
"The funk don’t quit"
My Take:
Based on the incredible life story of the Godfather of Soul, Get On Up gives a fearless look inside the music, moves, and moods of James Brown, taking audiences on the journey from his impoverished childhood to his evolution into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
As a child I have clear recollections of James Brown’s music being played not only in our house but on the radio. His was a unique sound that focused on the “groove” while generating a top tapping tempo fed by lyrics that spoke to a generation and beyond. James Brown was an amazing showman with a clear vision of how he wanted to impact the audience. He was truly a pioneer whose influences still resonate today while reaching beyond his roots in R&B music. Get on up is a thoughtful biopic that paints a fairly vivid picture of Brown dating back to his impoverished southern background right through to his later years. He was an eccentric individual with a bigger than life persona and an ear for eclectic rhythms. This coupled with his charisma as a performer aided in his rise and popular mainstay. This is aptly portrayed in the film which features several of his performance milestones.
James Brown was no boy scout and had brushes with the law, public conflict with people within his inner circle and moments of outspokenness that negatively impacted his career/life. The screenplay draws from Brown’s victories and defeats and floats in and out of the time periods associated with his brightest and darkest moments. In that regard there were times where I found the narrative focus to be a little muddled and unnecessarily scattered.
This isn’t a detrimental shortcoming as predominantly speaking the film stays the course without falling prey to offbeat biopic trappings. Director Tate (The Help) Taylor’s vision coincides with the thematically stirring heart of the film which lies in faithfully rendering the musicianship of James Brown, the social consciousness of his era and the complexities surrounding his interpersonal relationships. The centerpiece of Get on up is the outstanding work by Chadwick Boseman whose transformative performance is simply marvelous.
Get on up is an entertaining drama/biopic that serves an a meaningful homage to an iconic and soulful performer whose contribution to American Music and Pop Culture can’t be understated. I watched it with my family and we all enjoyed it.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for sexual content, drug use, some strong language, and violent situations.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100/EXCELLENT = 83-91/GOOD = 74-82/AVERAGE = 65-73/BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 86
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency effects:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
- Low frequency extension * (non-rated element): NA
Video: 96
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black Level/Shadow Detail:
- Color Reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Get on up comes to Blu-ray Disc from Universal Studios Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 25 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD Master audio sound that has an average bitrate of 4 Mbps.
This is a sparkling high definition transfer that looks terrific. Images are transparent with exquisite detail and a near infinite sense of depth. Close ups and mid level shots are noticeably detailed and revealing of subtlest nuance within facial features, clothing, and objects/backgrounds within the frame. Fidelity is never in question regardless of perspective. Primary colors pop nicely against the film’s muted secondary hues and sepia toned aesthetic which is intended to portray the film’s period specific/evolving timeline. Skin tones are tonally divergent and lifelike. Blacks are rich, and dynamic which draws them out during sequences that contain both light/dark onscreen elements. Detail in uneven light and darkened environments reveals discerning shapes and structure in backgrounds/objects. I found this to be a pristine quality high definition video presentation from Universal.
The lossless DTS-HD MA soundtrack has good dynamic range and detail rich clarity that enables the detection of low level and subtle background sounds within the recording. There is much to discern during the musical set pieces that take place both in the studio and live environments. The lead vocals are prominently displayed while the instrumentation is spread over the soundstage with primary focus remaining up front with rear channel extension. The rear channels are active on occasion and blend well with the front channels to generate a balanced and stable soundfield. Spoken dialogue is firmly planted in the center channel and renders voices with defining texture and tonal distinction. Low frequency effects aren’t intense but the subwoofer is kept busy as it works in tandem with the rest of the system to convey the low level bass associated with the music/score and thematic elements. As a whole I thoroughly enjoyed this audio/video presentation which serves as a great companion to the film.
Bonus Features:
- (HD) *Exclusive On stage with the hardest working man – 6 minute featurette
- (HD) *Exclusive The founding father of funk – 13 minute featurette
- (HD) *Exclusive 10 Deleted/Extended scenes
- (HD) *Exclusive Full song performances (4 segments)
- (HD) *Exclusive Extended song performance (3 segments)
- (HD) Long journey to the screen – 4 minute featurette
- (HD) Chadwick Boseman: Meet Mr. James Brown – 11 minute featurette
- (HD) The Get on up family – 6 minute featurette
- (HD) Tate Taylor’s master class – 7 minute featurette
- Filmmaker audio commentary
- Bonus DVD
- Digital HD Copy
Final Thoughts:
Get on up is an entertaining drama/biopic that serves an a meaningful homage to the iconic and soulful James Brown, whose contribution to American Music and Pop Culture can’t be understated. It comes to Blu-ray from Universal Studios Home Entertainment featuring sparkling high definition video, excellent lossless sound and a complimentary supplemental package. If you’re a fan of biopics of its sort Get on up is well worth checking out on Blu-ray.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS4910 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal)
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV7702 11.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103D Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (With Darbee video processing)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SVS PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
SVS PC12-NSD
Panamax M5400-PM Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package