Brother Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Brother" manifests a significant improvement over the earlier DVD edition, presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and using the MPEG-4 AVC codec for its 1080p transfer. The visual fidelity is well-executed, displaying commendable delineation, clarity, and depth. The color reproduction is particularly notable; darker scenes offer a wealth of nuanced tones without veering into crushing blacks. Throughout the viewing experience, image stability upholds professionalism, devoid of cuts, marks, or blemishes that could detract from immersion, enhancing overall visual satisfaction.

While the transfer impresses on many levels, some room for encoding optimization exists, which could further amplify its already attractive visuals. Nonetheless, when upscaled to 4K, the resolution concerns observed in the original format largely dissipate, attesting to the strength of the transfer's inherent quality. This Blu-ray is region-free, ensuring compatibility across players worldwide and therefore reaching a wider audience without technical limitations.

In summation, this Blu-ray provides a robust viewing experience that surpasses its predecessors. While a few technical refinements could enhance it further, the disc undeniably offers a compelling upgrade that will satisfy discerning viewers seeking higher fidelity than what outdated formats provide.

The Blu-ray release of "Brother" presents a commendable audio experience with two standard tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Accompanied by optional English and English SDH subtitles, the audio ensures accessibility and clarity. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track particularly stands out, offering an immersive auditory experience that complements the film's dynamic elements. The shootouts, crucial to the film's narrative intensity, are rendered with remarkable precision, enhancing the viewing experience significantly. The separation of audio channels is commendable, maintaining distinct layers that contribute to the auditory realism.

Equally noteworthy is the film's lush jazz score, which resonates beautifully throughout the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The score integrates smoothly with the on-screen action, providing a rich backdrop that heightens emotional engagement. Dialogues are exceptionally clear and sharp, facilitating easy comprehension without detracting from other audio components. The meticulous mixing and mastering ensure that dialogues maintain their prominence amidst the soundtrack and sound effects, demonstrating a well-balanced audio presentation.

Overall, the audio tracks provided on this Blu-ray effectively utilize modern sound technologies to deliver a satisfying experience. While there is always room for exploration in newer formats, this release notably achieves its goals without necessitating further enhancement. The technical prowess displayed will appeal to enthusiasts who appreciate nuanced and dynamic audio delivery in home media formats.

The Blu Ray extras for "Brother" provide an in-depth exploration into Beat Takeshi's filmmaking process, legacy, and collaborative efforts. The archival and contemporary content included in the features offers viewers a comprehensive look behind the creation of "Brother", gaining insights from both the director and contributors. Notably, the pieces intersperse interview snippets with raw production footage, enhancing the understanding of Takeshi's unique artistic approach. The material spans across various languages, inclusive of English subtitles where required, ensuring accessibility.

Extras included in this disc:

• Scenes by the Sea: The Life and Cinema of Beat Takeshi: A detailed documentary featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Cast and Crew Interviews: Commentary from Beat Takeshi and collaborators on filming in Los Angeles.
• Making Of: A brief promotional documentary with raw shooting clips.
• Behind the Scenes: Directorial insights from Beat Takeshi.
• Inscrutable: Analysis by film scholar Aaron Gerow on Takeshi’s work.
• Commentary: Audio commentary by Mark Schilling.
• Trailer One: A vintage promotional trailer.
• Trailer Two: Another vintage trailer variant.

"Brother," directed by Takeshi Kitano, arrives on Blu-ray from Imprint Films, offering a unique cinematic experience that defies conventional expectations. Despite Kitano's dissatisfaction with the film's outcome, "Brother" manages to captivate audiences through its unexpected blend of genres and the compelling dynamics between its characters. The narrative follows Aniki (Beat Takeshi), a Japanese enforcer thrust into America's underbelly, as he masterminds the evolution of his half-brother Ken's gang into a formidable force. The storytelling is infused with over-the-top violence typical of Kitano's gangster oeuvre, yet it diverges into a space touched by cheeky humor reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino, all while maintaining an intense neo-noir atmosphere.

Technically, the film benefits from the synergy between Kitano and cinematographer Katsumi Yanagijima, whose collaboration imbues the film with elegant visuals regardless of narrative chaos. The graceful capture of settings and movements features prominently, as does the visually striking cinematography common to their previous projects, like the "Outrage" series. Complementing the visual artistry is Joe Hisaishi’s soundtrack, an intricate jazz composition that elevates "Brother" with its elegant stylings. This soundtrack serves as the perfect auditory accompaniment to the gritty yet stylish tale being told.

In terms of cast dynamics, "Brother" surprises with its willingness to spotlight a diverse ensemble, most notably Omar Epps playing against Beat Takeshi. Their onscreen chemistry contributes depth and legitimacy to the film's exploration of disparate worlds clashing. However, certain relationships fall flat, such as Aniki’s interaction with his girlfriend, which remains a shallow embellishment in an otherwise rich narrative fabric. Ultimately, despite deviations from Kitano’s envisioned blueprint, "Brother" successfully establishes itself as an unusual yet refreshingly engaging entry within the gangster film genre.

The Blu-ray release of "Brother" by Imprint Films delivers a compelling representation of Beat Takeshi's unique filmic vision. Renowned for its seamless fusion of crime genre conventions with neo-noir aesthetics, the movie unfolds a narrative rich in dark humor and drama, underscored by an exceptional jazz soundtrack. The Blu-ray edition takes full advantage of the high-definition format to showcase striking visuals and intricate cinematography, allowing viewers to immerse themselves fully in the engaging atmosphere that Takeshi crafts.

In terms of technical specifications, the video quality maintains impressive clarity and detail. The image fidelity holds up well even in dimly lit scenes, offering a vibrant color palette and sharp contrast that enhance the film's stylized tone. The audio track, crucial for appreciating the nuanced jazz elements, is crisp and dynamic, ensuring dialogues remain clear amidst action sequences. The meticulous restoration work is evident, enriching both new viewers and longtime fans.

Moreover, this release comes replete with a selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features, adding depth to the cinematic experience. These extras provide valuable insights into the film's production and thematic explorations, elevating the viewer’s understanding and appreciation.

One can successfully argue that "Brother" is the strangest film in Beat Takeshi's cinematic oeuvre. It blends conventional crime material, neo-noir aesthetics, dark humor, drama, and even top quality jazz music. But it works, perhaps even better than some of Beat Takeshi's big box office hits. I like it and have always kept a copy of it in my library. Imprint Films' Blu-ray release offers a good presentation of it with a nice selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.