Malcolm X (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

( Max score: 100 )

82

Film Synopsis:

Adapted from the novel The Autobiography Of Malcolm X written by Alex Haley, this is an amazing biopic of one of the most influential American leaders to date. It follows the life and times of Malcolm Little through his transformation to Malcolm X and his departure from the Nation of Islam. Spike Lee's epic film captures the internal struggles, the spiritual, political and structural changes that Malcolm submitted himself to throughout his life to achieve his changing goals.

My Take:

Malcolm X is co-writer/director Spike Lee's biographical homage to African American/Muslim leader Malcolm X. The film which is epic in scope as well as subject matter dramatizes key events in Malcolm X's life: his criminal career, his incarceration, his conversion to Islam, his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam and his later falling out with the organization, his marriage to Betty X, his pilgrimage to Mecca and reevaluation of his views concerning whites, and his assassination. Events from his childhood, including his father's death, his mother's mental illness, and his experiences with racism are dramatized via flashbacks. This is sweeping biographical film about a larger than life individual whose life came full circle ending tragically. The most significant aspect which Malcolm X himself may or may not have realized before his death was that he made a difference. Historically and culturally significant Malcolm X is a powerful and evocative film that as told by co-writer/director Spike Lee is lengthy and pulls few punches on either side of the equation. Star Denzel Washington give a tour de force performance in the lead role followed by a stellar supporting cast. Malcolm X's road to the big screen wasn't without its share of obstacles but the outcome is worthy of the effort and the man himself.

Parental Guide:

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.**


(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

Audio: 80

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Video: 84

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Malcolm X comes to Blu-ray Disc from Warner Home Video featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 16 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 2.3 Mbps.

This is a solid looking high def catalog release that presents this 20 year old film in a positive light. It boasts clean, well depicted primary colors and a good mix of secondary hues that mate well with the source material. Resolution is discerning with varying degrees of delineation. Sharpness is stable with lucid clarity which enhances depth. Black and white levels are spot on imparts a fair amount of pop to colors and brighter exterior sequences while keeping darker or low lit segments looking noticeably punchy with quiet blacks with visibly gradational detail in shadowy backgrounds. Grain is present and moderately textured. This is a pleasing video presentation that appears faithful to the film's original elements.

The lossless soundtrack is almost entirely dialogue driven with the music score being the only other driving element. Terence Blanchard's music score holds sway over the front soundstage and is presented with open expression. The sound quality is on point and provides clear and concise voice reproduction and good front channel imaging. The surrounds are used sparingly to broaden depth and low frequency content is limited to the upper registers associated with the orchestrated music. I had no complaints with this presentation and found it to be complimentary.

Bonus Features:

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• Commentary by director Spike Lee, cinematographer Ernest Dickerson, Barry Alexander Brown, and Ruth Carter
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• By any means necessary: The making of Malcolm X - 30 minute documentary
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• 9 deleted scenes with introduction by director Spike Lee
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• Theatrical Trailer
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• Bonus DVD - 1972 Documentary Malcolm X - 90 minutes
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• Comes packaged in a 41 page Blu-ray digi-book with photos, talent files, production background and more

Final Thoughts:

Adapted from the novel The Autobiography Of Malcolm X written by Alex Haley, Malcolm X is co-writer/director Spike Lee's biographical homage to African American/Muslim leader Malcolm X. Historically and culturally significant Malcolm X is a powerful and evocative film that as told by co-writer/director Spike Lee is lengthy and pulls few punches on either side of the equation. It makes its debut on Blu-ray Disc from Warner Home Video featuring faithful high definition video/audio, ported over bonus supplements from the 2005 special edition DVD, the 1972 feature length documentary Malcolm X (on separate DVD) and comes packaged in an attractive digi-book keep case. For those interested in the subject matter Malcolm X shouldn't be missed and this Blu-ray release for Warner makes the experience even better.