A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. Ralph Potts reviews the Blu-ray release from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.
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The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
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Extras:
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Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
89
The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
89
Details:
Studio and Year: Lionsgate - 2021
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 115 minutes
Genre: Drama
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC
Video Aspect: 2.39:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English/Korean DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio
Subtitles: Spanish, English SDH
Starring: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Yuh-Jung Youn, Will Patton
Written & Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung
Music by: Emile Mosseri
Region Code: A
Release Date: May 18, 2021
"Family is What Roots Us"
Synopsis:
A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. – Lionsgate Home Entertainment.
My Take:
A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung Minari ] is a heartwarming slice of life drama that speaks to the human condition through the eyes of an Asian family as they confront the challenges of starting over after moving to the rural south during the 1980s. The film’s focus is deliberately narrow which works quite well given the context of the story and its characters. It is evident that this is a personal story drawn from a cultural well that aptly portrays the bonds of love shared by family while simultaneously underscoring the tribulations associated with trying to take hold of American dream of success through hard work.
Minari doesn’t wear its cultural underpinnings on its sleeve but, rather as a counterpoint, to better render its dramatic focus. The narrative is filled with subtlety, some purposeful, some natural, via a wonderfully balanced story that speaks to its meaning, while incorporating elements of levity and, evocative drama that doesn’t feels heavy handed. I love the fact that you laugh when you’re supposed to as well as perhaps, when you shouldn’t. There is a humanity and warmth that where appropriate, tugs at your heart strings.
My wife and I really enjoyed Minari. I found its characters and be genuine and perfectly framed within the context of the story. It's a moving portrait of family and the bonds of love that can transcend dark times. The cast does a terrific job in their portrayal of the family members. I was thoroughly impressed by young Alan Kim whose character “David”, seemed to be the primary focal point. He, along with Yuh-Jung Youn, in the role of the maternal grandmother, delivered several standout moments that elevated the film’s impact.
Minari is among my favorite films so far this year. It is a smart, touching and, wonderfully enacted/directed drama that has a refreshing edge that makes it a perfect choice for fans of the genre.
Minari is Golden Globe® winner for Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language Film, winner of the Grand Jury Prize and U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and winner of two Critics Choice Awards, with nominations for six Academy Awards®, including for Best Picture, as well as three SAG Awards.
Replay Value:
Parental Guide:
The rating is for some thematic elements and a rude gesture.
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:
- Dialog Reproduction:
- DSU/DTS Neural:X Rating * (non-rated element): NA
- Dynamics:
Video: 92
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black Level/Shadow Detail:
- Color Reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
- Resolution/Clarity:
Minari comes to Blu-ray Disc from Lionsgate Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound.
Colors are effectively used in this film to help set the tone/setting based upon the mood of the scene. The chroma range isn’t broad and hues can vary from being sullen and inanimate to warm and inviting. Skin tones are warm with natural highlights and descriptive variation. Images onscreen are detailed and sharp with appreciable depth of field and visible texture during wide angle shots. Contrast is spot on and excellent shadow detail provides perceptibility during scenes shot at night or in lower lighting. The video has a pristine quality that is free of video related artifacts.
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround mix features dialogue that is full bodied with defining tonal characteristics and prominent soundstage position. High level detail is readily apparent as subtle sound effects, music and voices are rendered with superior clarity and depth. There is little call for active surround activity and extended dynamics however there is frequent use of atmospheric sounds that utilize the entire soundstage in support of the exterior/interior venues depicted in the film. The end result is an excellent audio presentation that renders the soundtrack’s elements with aplomb.
Bonus Features:
• Deleted Scenes
• Sowing Seeds: Making Minari
• Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Lee Isaac Chung and Actress Yuh-jung Youn- Digital Code
Final Thoughts:
Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung Minari is among my favorite films of 2021. It is a smart, touching and, wonderfully enacted/directed drama that has a refreshing edge that makes it a perfect choice for fans of the genre. It comes to Blu-ray from Lionsgate Home Entertainment featuring excellent high-definition audio/video and a middling supplemental package. Minari comes highly recommended plain and simple.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000 colorimeter from Portrait.com)
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Electronic Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV7706 Audio/Video Processor
Emotiva XPA-7 Gen 3 Seven Channel Amplifier
Emotiva XPA-11 Gen 3 Amplifier
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
Oppo BDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: Apple iPad/Roomie Remote V6 Universal Remote Control
SVS Ultra Tower Speakers (Gloss Finish)
SVS Ultra Center Channel (Gloss Finish)
SVS Ultra Surrounds (Gloss Finish in Bipolar Configuration)
Dual SVS PC4000 Cylinder Subwoofers
Niles Audio In-Ceiling/In-Wall Series Speakers
Panamax M5400-PM Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
AC Infinity Aircom T8 Component Cooling Systems
