Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's Blu-ray presentation of "Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway" offers a visually intriguing experience maintained through varied aspect ratios of 1.85:1 and 1.33:1, showcasing the film's eclectic filming techniques that incorporate both 16mm and digital video. The 1080p AVC encoded transfer brings the visual elements to life with robust accuracy and detail, despite occasional disparities in texture. Noteworthy is the film's grain structure, which varies between fine and chunky, often enhancing its retro aesthetic. True to its grindhouse inspiration, the imagery is both lively and crisp, providing a stellar reincarnation of its unconventional cinematography.

The high-definition master, sourced from Lazendera Films, brings forward a richly suffused palette throughout the runtime, though some VR sequences tend towards a darker tonality. This divergence in light and color contributes to the movie’s overall unique ambiance. Arrow’s replication captures the film-like quality, maintaining consistent texture and grain across varying scenes. While the switch between format ratios and filming styles may initially seem erratic, it enforces a distinct visual narrative that aligns with the movie's avant-garde nature.

In essence, this Arrow Video release commendably preserves the film's original artistic vision while delivering superior picture quality. Combining clear, crisp visuals with a suitably retro flair, it stands as a testament to the film's avant-garde allure and grindhouse sensibilities.

"Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway" features an engaging DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track alongside an LPCM 2.0 option. The entire film has been dubbed, contributing to its distinctive and surreal atmosphere. This design choice, discussed in detail by Heller-Nicholas and Bitel in their commentary, mirrors the aesthetics of classic Italian cinema with occasional synchronization issues. A standout feature is the deliberately peculiar decision to make Stalin speak with a thick Irish brogue, adding to the film's unique charm. The sound design effectively incorporates quasi 8-bit video game music cues, enriching the listening experience with appealing surround activity across the 5.1 channels.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, though dubiously English, successfully immerses viewers with its well-placed surround elements fitting for the spy and action genre. Despite the inherent poor dubbing, which aligns with the movie’s tone, the front soundstage remains robust with clear spatial separation. The soundtrack avoids overwhelming density, maintaining a balanced presence that ensures the dialogue and effects are distinct and engaging. For accessibility, optional English SDH subtitles are provided in a white font, ensuring clarity for all viewers.

The limited edition Blu-Ray of "Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway" impresses with an array of thoughtfully curated extras that enrich the viewing experience. The packaging is exquisite, featuring a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork, a double-sided fold-out poster, and an illustrated collector’s booklet. Arrow Video doesn’t disappoint with the quality and breadth of supplementary content, delivering a comprehensive dive into Miguel Llansó's cinematic world. The set includes his first feature "Crumbs" on a separate disc with its own special features, bolstering this release as a must-have for genre aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: By Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Anton Bitel.
• From Tallinn with Love: An eclectic analysis by Will Webb.
• A Conversation with Miguel Llansó: Interview by Josh Hurtado.
• Miguel Llansó's Short Films: Includes "Chigger Ale" and "Night in the Wild Garden".
• Promotional Materials: Original Proof of Concept Trailer, Theatrical Trailer.
• Image Gallery: A collection of stills.

"Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway" is an audacious, genre-blending marvel from filmmaker Miguel Llansó, boasting a plot as peculiar as its title suggests. Set in the year 2035, the story follows CIA agents Gagano and Palmer Eldritch as they navigate a megalopolis managed by an omnipresent computer program called Psychobook. A dangerous virus named Soviet Union threatens Psychobook, forcing Gagano into a surreal mission that traps him in Betta Ethiopia, a parallel reality where he is hailed as the rightful heir to the throne. There, amidst conflicts and allegorical adventures involving figures like Reverend Roy—a Jesus Christ-like character—Gagano learns to navigate realities using a hallucinogenic substance.

The sheer volume of eclectic elements in this film is staggering. Stop-motion sequences featuring characters wearing masks of famous faces like Robert Redford and Richard Pryor, a dwarf secret agent portrayed by Daniel Tadesse, and Gerda-Annette Allikas playing a robust kickboxing enthusiast, all add to the film's distinctive visual and narrative flavor. The retro-futuristic setting and Afrofuturist lens create an environment that’s both nostalgic and bizarrely futuristic, embracing myriad tropes from grindhouse exploitation films, Eurosleaze, kung fu flicks, and Cold War-era spy thrillers. The visual execution is meticulous, with dynamic set pieces that dazzle and disorient in equal measure.

Llansó’s direction is a collage of genre experiences pieced together with inventive flair. With a taut yet chaotic narrative rhythm, "Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway" seamlessly transitions through diverse thematic landscapes while maintaining an engaging pace. It’s a film that defies conventional categorization, offering an outlandish journey that’s both hilarious and thought-provoking. Perfectly poised for cult classic status, the movie's masterful blend of visual anarchism and narrative innovation renders it an unforgettable viewing experience.

Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway is a strikingly audacious film that revels in its chaotic, genre-blending storytelling. Directed by Miguel Llansó, this retro-futuristic spy thriller deftly merges exploitation tropes with an imaginative narrative structure, resulting in an experience that is both bewildering and exhilarating. The film, with its ADHD-fueled energy, takes audiences on a wild ride through bizarre and unexpected scenarios, creating an inherently unique viewing experience that defies conventional cinematic norms.

The Blu Ray edition from Arrow maintains the quirky charm of Llansó's vision with solid technical presentation. The picture quality is robust, showcasing the film’s vibrant color palette and eccentric set designs impeccably. The sound quality is equally commendable, ensuring that the eclectic soundtrack and distinctive audio cues are delivered with clarity. This release also comes packed with appealing supplements, providing deeper insights into the making of this wonderfully strange film.

To call Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway audacious may be one of the crowning (of thorns or otherwise) understatements of all time, and that should be both a siren call and perhaps a bit of a warning for those interested in this completely one-of-a-kind film. If you're willing to just let Llansó and his team take you where their seeming ADHD fueled imaginations want you to go, this is a weird and wacky viewing experience unlike any other in my recent memory. Those who want stable narratives and a familiar presentational style might want to either think twice before entering or at least bolster themselves with whatever calming substances they prefer. I personally loved this film simply because it is so strange, and as usual Arrow has provided a release with solid technical merits and some really appealing supplements. Recommended.