Delicatessen 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Delicatessen," featuring an HEVC/H.265 encoded 2160p transfer with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, offers an engaging visual experience that adheres to the creative intentions of cinematographer Darius Khondji. Under Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s supervision and executed by StudioCanal, the restoration involved digital enhancements such as optimized color grading, contrast adjustment, and grain harmonization, directly from the 35mm negative. This meticulous approach provides a notably darker tone than previous editions, simultaneously introducing substantial improvements in overall definition and color vibrancy through HDR and Dolby Vision implementations.

The transfer stands out in its pictorial quality, exhibiting a more refined and cleaner visual when compared to older releases. The Dolby Vision grading significantly enhances the hyper-realistic aesthetic, bringing out vibrant greens, teals, reds, and rusts, alongside rich blacks and golds. However, the harmonization of grain has led to the attenuation of some finer textures, which might not satisfy purists preferring a more pronounced texture akin to earlier versions. In particular, scenes showcasing devastated-looking buildings feature improved definition courtesy of HDR, despite some marginal shadow detail loss in darker scenes. Additionally, a subtle presence of mosquito noise is detectable due to grain processing.

The HDR10 metadata, detailing a MaxLL of 10000 nits and a MaxFALL of 310 nits, indicates the technological sophistication behind this release. The Dolby Vision highlights reinforce the film’s distinct visual narrative, accentuating the film’s signature golden yellows and unique orange tones. As these enhanced visuals are especially evident in dream sequences, the restoration effectively complements "Delicatessen's" surreal aesthetic, thus providing viewers with both vivid depictions and an engaging retelling of its visual story.

The 4K UHD release of "Delicatessen" offers an enhanced audio experience with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 options in French, surpassing the original Dolby Stereo theatrical release. The 5.1 mix significantly enriches the soundstage, delivering a more immersive experience that effectively utilizes low-frequency effects and ambient environmental sounds, enveloping the listener through the rear and side channels. While the 5.1 track exhibits a slightly lower amplitude compared to the 2.0 stereo track, it compensates with its atmospheric depth and clarity, ensuring dialogues remain clean and crisp.

The 5.1 mix isn't overly aggressive but excels in atmospheric delivery, showcasing directional sound placement with notable panning to the left or right for specific effects, such as voices or Foley sounds. This track efficiently populates the soundfield with nuanced elements like rain and squeaky bedsprings, creating a vibrant auditory environment. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo mix, while possibly less full, provides clean dialogue reproduction and pleasing dynamics, offering charm through its warmth and ambient presence.

This release represents a considerable audio upgrade from previous editions, maintaining the beloved stereo mix while introducing a 5.1 mix that unfolds a more hallucinatory listening experience. Optional English subtitles accommodate non-French-speaking audiences, complementing the audio enhancements for broader accessibility. This comprehensive sound offering ensures that audio purists and newcomers alike can appreciate "Delicatessen" in a revitalized format that honors the film’s intricate sonic landscape.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray extras of "Delicatessen" offer a rich collection, although fans may note the absence of a few features from previous releases. The inclusion of director insights through interviews and audio commentary provides a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at this cinematic piece. The release succeeds in delivering a curated selection of engaging and informative content focusing on filmmakers' perspectives. Presented in high definition with English subtitles, the materials cater to fans seeking deeper understanding while maintaining accessible viewing formats.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussion with Co-Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet in French, subtitled in English.
• Trailer: Official film trailer.

Blu-ray only bonus features:

• Interview with Co-Directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro: In-depth discussion over 26 minutes.
• Fine Cooked Meats: The Making of Delicatessen: Behind-the-scenes featurette running 14 minutes.
• Copains Comme Cochons: Comprehensive 42-minute interview with Co-Director Marc Caro.
• The Tale of ‘Terry Gilliam Presents Delicatessen’: Interview focusing on Terry Gilliam's involvement, lasting 17 minutes.

Delicatessen, the 1991 debut feature by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, is a transformative work that upended traditional storytelling in French cinema. This film merges surrealistic dark humor with grotesque visuals, offering an inventive vision of a dystopian future. Set in a deteriorating apartment building where food scarcity drives desperation, it follows Louison, performed by Dominique Pinon, as he navigates the sinister machinations of Clapet, a butcher played with chilling humor by Jean-Claude Dreyfus. The film is notable for its masterful blend of horror and comedy, utilizing absurd scenarios to convey deeper societal critiques.

The production is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Every frame is a meticulously crafted piece of art filled with eccentric details—from the rhythmic unity of sound and motion to the bold color palette that adds a sense of claustrophobia and tension. Characters engage in pitch-black humor through bizarre and disturbing situations. The supporting cast enhances this world, portraying a microcosm of human survival tinged with absurdity. Even amid its bleak setting, the film injects humor, such as turning a failed suicide attempt into an unexpectedly romantic moment.

Delicatessen’s legacy in cinema is significant, influencing subsequent works by Jeunet, such as Amélie and The City of Lost Children, as well as inspiring a generation of filmmakers with its genre-defying approach. This film is essential viewing for audiences who appreciate innovative storytelling combined with unsettling humor. As an early example of transgressive cinema, it remains a bold entry in the canon, celebrated for its audacity to challenge norms and succeed with brilliance.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Delicatessen" presents a fascinating venture into the peculiar world crafted by directors Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. This French dark comedy, known for its graphical creativity and unique storytelling, maintains its signature whimsy and eccentricity while benefiting from enhanced audio-visual presentation. The film is encoded in HEVC 2160p with Dolby Vision HDR, providing robust colors and superior clarity, though minor visual imperfections persist. The primary audio is delivered via a French DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, augmented by a secondary DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo option, both of which immerse viewers in the film's quirky ambiance. English subtitles are included.

"Delicatessen," penned by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro, and Gilles Adrien, runs for a succinct 100 minutes in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. While the film captures the whimsical horror aesthetic that Jeunet later explored in works such as "Amélie", it might not appeal to every viewer. Released by Severin Films, this title retains its charm despite missing some extras from the Lionsgate edition. The vibrant production design and cinematography echo Jeunet's subsequent endeavors, promising familiarity to those acquainted with his style.

In conclusion, "Delicatessen" could either delight or dissatisfy, depending on one's taste for the unconventional blend of comedy and macabre. However, the technical presentation on this 4K UHD release significantly enhances the viewing experience. For fans of "City of Lost Children" or Jeunet's characteristic style, this edition stands as a noteworthy acquisition. Despite some omitted features in terms of supplements, the core offering remains adequately compelling. Recommended not only for collectors but also for those intrigued by avant-garde cinema.