Check out our review of this unusual, entertaining and award-winning drama/comedy about a washed-up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, who now battles his ego while attempting to recover his family, his career and himself in the days leading up to the opening of a Broadway play.
The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
91
Details:
Studio and Year: 20th Century Fox - 2014
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 119 minutes
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC
Video Aspect: 1.85:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, Spanish/French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Starring: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Amy Ryan, Andrea Riseborough, Zach Galifianakis
Directed by: Alejandro G. Inarritu
Music by: Antonio Sanchez
Written by: Alejandro G. Inarritu, Nicholas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Armando Bo
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: February 17, 2015
"The unexpected virtue of ignorance"
My Take:
Directed, written and produced by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman tells the story of Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) a washed-up Hollywood actor famous for playing the superhero Birdman in blockbuster movies decades earlier. Riggan is tormented by the voice of and presence of Birdman, who often criticizes him. In addition Riggan he sees himself performing feats of levitation and telekinesis. Riggan hopes to reinvigorate his career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story "What we talk about when we talk about love". The play is produced by Riggan's best friend and lawyer Jake (Zach Galifianakis), and also stars Riggan's girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough) and first-time Broadway actress Lesley (Naomi Watts). Riggan's daughter Sam (Emma Stone), a recovering addict, serves as his assistant. Things quickly unravel when Riggan adds Mike (Edward Norton) a well-regarded and unpredictable method actor to the cast.
Birdman is a tough film to digest let alone summarize. Most definitely a character driven affair that is at its heart, a dark comedy that utilizes a rather unusual narrative style. I think this both benefits and impinges upon the film’s context which eschews romance and melodrama in favor of an interpretive, surrealistic yarn that proves intriguing and potentially frustrating. Be that as it may the reality blended with fiction perspective works as you’re taken on a multifaceted journey of crisis and transformation as Riggan leads you down the rabbit hole supported by a cache of characters that each has an integral part to play.
The farcical nature of the proceedings are enhanced by the slick one take flow and superlative cinematography all of which is underpinned by the use a less than traditional music score which consists of only jazz drumming. There is no denying that Birdman feels conceptually original. This is enhanced by the amazing performances by the ensemble cast, especially Michael Keaton in the titles role. I can’t say that I found the film’s ending to be wholly gratifying especially in light of the questions and sketchy answers raised throughout however I believe that is exactly what was intended. Birdman isn’t my favorite of the Oscar nominees for Best Picture, however there is no denying its worth as a creative gem.
The film has enamored critics and audiences alike with its technical achievements and captivating performances from an all-star ensemble cast, which include Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, as well as breathtaking cinematography from Academy Award-winner Emmanuel Lubezki. I believe that a repeat viewing, if only to glean more from the wonderful performances, is in order and will bear fruit. I look forward to it….
Parental Guide:
The rating is for language throughout, some sexual content, and brief violence.
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: 92
(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
- DSU Rating * (non-rated element):
Video: 90
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black Level/Shadow Detail:
- Color Reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Birdman comes to Blu-ray Disc from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 35 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 4.2 Mbps.
This is a high bitrate encode that looks solid throughout. Detail is exemplary as images look clean, sharp, three dimensional and lifelike. I never felt that video was lacking in terms of depth or the perception of visible detail within the parameters of the structure of objects seen onscreen. Colors were reproduced with balanced tonality and deeply saturated and eye catching primaries. Fleshtones appeared natural with complexional variation and subtle texture that varied among the differing skin types of the cast members. Blacks were a solid shade of deep black and exhibited excellent dynamic range. Images were pristinely rendered and appeared free of compression related artifacts.
This film relies heavily on its soundtrack to help convey the story’s elements the DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix handles it with aplomb. This is a crystal clear encoding that renders excellent reproduction of the soundtrack’s recording which augments the presence of low level off camera cues/sounds as well as punctuating those that are meant to be in your face. Antonio Sanchez’s eclectic drum score sounds terrific. The limited action is coupled with sharply mixed low frequency effects that resonate with palpable authority. Dialogue is appreciably textured with discernible tonal character and excellent room penetration. The surrounds are appropriately engaged to heighten the experience. I love the film’s use of near field sounds and panning sweeps which are accurately rendered with respect to the events transpiring onscreen. Additionally there is plenty of atmospheric ambience and directionality that provide a noteworthy sense of envelopment. I found this to be an entertaining audio presentation that accents the film.
Bonus Features:
- (HD) Birdman: All-access – 33 minute behind the scenes look
- (HD) *Exclusive* A conversation with Michael Keaton and Alejandro G. Inarritu – 14 minutes
- [/b](HD)[/b] Gallery: Chivo’s on-set photos
- Digital HD Copy
Final Thoughts:
From visionary director/co-wroter Alejandro G. Inarritu, Birdman is a captivating and conceptually refreshing film that challenges audiences to step into its interpretive world. It comes to Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment featuring excellent high definition video, a terrific DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound track and a fair supplemental offering that includes insights from the filmmakers/cast as well as a glimpse behind the scenes. Birdman has enamored critics and audiences alike and is most definitely a must see film. Taking it for a spin on Blu-ray only makes the experience all the better.
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" and In-Ceiling 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