The House That Jack Built Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The House That Jack Built" showcases a remarkable level of visual intricacy, employing the Arri Alexa mini to capture a distinctive and stylistically varied visual experience. With a 2.39:1 aspect ratio and AVC encoding, the film's visuals retain detail and definition through a blend of heavily graded film looks that evoke both 35mm and 16mm textures, achieving an intended retro aesthetic for various sequences. The use of simulated grain particularly stands out in scenes meant to replicate the 70s and 80s, while other scenes exhibit bright, vivid colors and deep shadows, especially in sequences depicting Hell with flickering flames and matte painting-like backgrounds.

The dual-disc release includes both the unrated director’s cut and the R-rated theatrical cut, each encoded satisfactorily on separate BD-50 discs. The video quality, presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC, maintains a balance between grit and cinematic vibrancy, varying grain levels to complement narrative shifts. Critical scenes maintain sharp detail, with facial features, interior settings, and exterior landscapes articulate in delineation despite instances of limited lighting. Some minor banding and noise are observed, particularly in darker scenes like Jack's entry into the freezer, yet overall, skin tones remain natural and hues potent, allowing for an immersive viewing experience.

While certain aspects of the film's visuals appear intentionally lackluster as a stylistic choice, the color grading effectively transitions between brighter and darker tones to reflect narrative contexts. Primary colors are bold, though occasionally presented with high contrast levels that enhance the grim mood of the film. Notably, fine detail and saturation peak during critical moments such as Jack's third incident, underscoring the narrative intensity with razor-sharp definition. Consequently, this Blu-ray release is a finely tuned effort that marries Lars von Trier’s directorial vision with technical excellence.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "The House That Jack Built" features a highly effective 5.1 DTS-HD MA track, complemented by a secondary 2.0 DTS-HD MA option for night listening. The 5.1 mix stands out for its immersive qualities, utilizing surround elements with precision to create a captivating soundscape. This track demonstrates von Trier's meticulous attention to sonic details, with clear and crisp dialogue, dramatic crescendos, and eerie sound effects that heighten tension at key moments. The low-frequency effects (LFE) are punchy and precise, effectively supporting the film's score and sound effects without overwhelming the viewer, contributing to an engaging auditory experience.

Surround sound placement is employed strategically to convey both interior and exterior environments, even extending into the otherworldly scenes set in Hell. Ambient noises and background sounds are handled with great care to maintain the film’s atmosphere, adding depth to introspective silences and intensifying moments of suspense with creepy screeches and disturbing yells. The musical score benefits from clear instrumentation and impactful low-end responses, especially notable during David Bowie’s “Fame,” which is prominently mixed across the front soundstage.

Distinctive attention to room tone ensures a balanced and enveloping auditory experience, while narrations by Jack and Verge are delivered with clarity and definition. Despite a minor pitch alteration in the Director's Cut, the overall sound mix is thoughtfully constructed to deliver an intended intensity that complements the film’s complex narrative. English SDH and Spanish subtitles are provided within the widescreen frame, ensuring accessibility without detracting from the visual experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The House That Jack Built" provide a rich and detailed look behind the scenes of Lars von Trier's provocative film. The director's insights are articulated through a series of interviews and trailers that give fans a deeper understanding of his creative process, personal struggles, and controversial moments. Particularly notable is the Sonning Prize Interview, where von Trier delves into his philosophy, touching on subjects from his creative inspirations to his infamous Cannes comments. The assortment of trailers and brief messages further enrich the viewer's experience, making this a must-have for enthusiasts seeking comprehensive context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Sonning Prize: An Interview with Director Lars von Trier: Discussion on von Trier's career, personal life, and his controversial statements.
• Announcement: A brief statement from von Trier about the film's production start date.
• Greeting: A message from von Trier for the 2018 One Night Only screenings.
• Cannes Teaser: A short teaser from the Cannes Film Festival.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer included in the theatrical cut disc.

Lars von Trier's "The House That Jack Built" is a visually bold and challenging journey into the mind of a serial killer, Jack, portrayed with chilling conviction by Matt Dillon. The film unfolds over 12 years through five distinct vignettes, each delving deeper into Jack's gruesome tapestry of murders, blending horror with deep psychological undertones. Narrated by Jack and Verge (Bruno Ganz), an afterlife figure reminiscent of Dante’s Virgil, the narrative explores the intersection of violence and art in a manner that unflinchingly confronts the audience’s boundaries of comfort. The film's visual composition and narrative style evoke both revulsion and fascination, a hallmark of von Trier's controversial oeuvre.

Von Trier's trademark for provocation is evident as the film meticulously depicts Jack’s “incidents” that range from the eerily banal to the disturbingly grotesque. From murdering a stranded motorist (played by Uma Thurman) in a darkly comedic setup to executing a chilling mass murder attempting Nazi-inspired gamesmanship, the film spares no detail in showcasing Jack's descent into psychopathy. These acts are underscored by gritty, unflinching visuals and a soundtrack peppered with dark humor, only amplified by David Bowie’s "Fame." Each scene deconstructs conventional narrative structures, aiming instead to prompt discomfort and introspection about art, mortality, and the human condition.

The dichotomy between the artistic depiction of horror and the visceral discomfort it evokes encapsulates von Trier’s intent—propelling the audience into a relentless examination of morality and artistry. Dillon’s portrayal of Jack—a character driven by obsessive compulsions and delusions of grandeur—proves both magnetic and repulsive. While the film succeeds in delivering an opera of visual mastery and philosophical musings, it remains divisive; an art piece that primarily appeals to arthouse aficionados familiar with von Trier’s contentious filmmaking style. As the movie traverses the ideation of art through destruction, its final act juxtaposes hellish imagery with existential thoughts, making "The House That Jack Built" a contentious but undeniably intriguing cinematic experience.

Lars Von Trier’s "The House That Jack Built" is a polarizing film, noteworthy for its deep introspective musings on life, art, and violence. This boundary-pushing serial killer tale is marked by Matt Dillon's outstanding performance, yet it's not a film for the faint-hearted. The narrative is a long meditation on the director's own life and career, complete with meta-digressions reminiscent of Dante’s Inferno. However, Von Trier's tendency to repeat himself and veer into self-indulgence might test the patience of many viewers.

Technically, the 2-Disc Blu-ray set from Scream! Factory excels with an impressive A/V presentation, making the most of the 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio and DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. Bonus features are extensive and will likely appeal to fans. It’s crucial to note, however, that the Theatrical Cut included is essentially filler and doesn’t offer a significantly different experience.

In conclusion, "The House That Jack Built" is highly divisive; while some may find value in its artistic provocations, many will likely be repelled by its excessive gore and perceived self-indulgence. Although the audio and visual quality, along with the extra features, are commendable, the content is not universally palatable. Unless you are a dedicated Lars Von Trier aficionado, it’s best to approach this film with caution. Skip it if you're not already a fan; otherwise, proceed with tempered expectations.

Recommendation: Skip It.