Thirst Blu-ray Review

"Thirst," presented in a 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio, boasts a meticulous 1080p High Definition transfer that is clinically precise in its detail. The film displays a consistent level of excellence in detail across the board, avoiding common pitfalls such as edge enhancement, digital artifacts, or noise. Close-up shots amply capture the pallor and texture of the characters’ faces, adding nuances such as the visible coursing of blood under the skin, enhancing the vampire theme. The color palette varies depending on the setting, ranging from the warm, wood-based hues of a candle-lit church to the sterile whites of a neon-lit apartment. Reds and browns are lighter compared to other releases, and greens appear more natural. Despite these variations, the contrast levels remain exceptional with deep, uncrushed blacks.

Technically robust, "Thirst" maintains clarity and stability throughout its nearly 148-minute runtime. Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC by CJ Entertainment, the high-definition transfer eliminates concerns over edge enhancement, macroblocking, and noise reduction. This Blu-ray version offers a "director's cut," enhancing its value by providing a more comprehensive viewing experience. Although not reaching the pinnacle of 3D visual spectaculars often seen in Hollywood blockbusters, the transfer seldom disappoints, offering a naturalistic and immersive visual experience free from debris or marks.

The Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provided on the Blu-ray of "Thirst" is a standout element, offering a deeply immersive and dynamic audio experience. Dialogue is clear and well-prioritized, predominantly occupying the center channel with support from the front speakers, ensuring crisp and coherent delivery. Effects are meticulously crafted, with ambient sounds like exaggerated breathing and surprising shock moments seamlessly integrated into the surround channels. This creates a full-range audio environment that greatly enhances the cinematic experience. The film's quirky score aligns well with its thematic oddities, accentuating humorous undertones without overshadowing the narrative. Furthermore, the bass is applied effectively, contributing occasional low-level rumbles that heighten tension without overwhelming the mix.

The Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also excels in maintaining a consistent and balanced sonic profile. The rear channels are strategically utilized to provide a robust sense of space, while high frequencies are handled delicately, avoiding any harshness. Ambient effects, particularly during scenes such as Sang-hyeon and Tae-ju's rooftop foreplay, benefit significantly from the lossless audio treatment, showcasing intricate sound details that might be lost in a compressed format. Throughout the feature, the dialog remains exceptionally clean and stable, free from disruptive artifacts like pops, cracks, hissing, or dropouts. This meticulous attention to the audio mix ensures that "Thirst" delivers an engaging and compelling auditory experience, perfectly complementing its visual storytelling.

The Blu-ray release of "Thirst" includes a robust selection of extras that provide extensive insights into the film's creation and promotional activities. However, all features are listed in Korean and lack English subtitles, which might restrict accessibility for non-Korean-speaking audiences. The extras offer a deep dive into the production with roundtable cast discussions, interviews with the art director and composer, promotional footage, theatrical trailers, a stills gallery, a gag reel, and two commentaries—one by the Director and Cast and another by the Director and Crew. Notably, there is a unique silent animated short, "Dust Kid," presented in black and white, that features a surreal story without dialogue, allowing it to be universally appreciated despite the language barrier.

Extras included in this disc:

• Roundtable Cast Discussions: Discussions featuring the cast.
• Art Director Interview: Includes concept art.
• Composer Interview: Insights from the composer on the score.
• Promotional Footage: Footage from the promo shoot and press release.
• Theatrical Trailers: The two original theatrical trailers.
• Stills Gallery: A gallery of stills with narration.
• Gag Reel: A collection of outtakes and bloopers.
• Director and Cast Commentary: Commentary track by the Director and Cast.
• Director and Crew Commentary: Commentary track by the Director and Crew.
• Dust Kid (Animated Short): A silent black-and-white animation.

Park Chan-wook's Thirst offers a refreshingly bleak and distinct take on vampire cinema, diverting from typical genre conventions to craft a unique narrative. The film intertwines horror with elements of romance, humor, drama, and satire, creating a multi-faceted story that defies easy categorization. Based loosely on Émile Zola's Thérèse Raquin, though the parallels are hard to trace, the narrative follows a young priest, Sang-hyeon (played by Song Kang-ho), who transforms into a vampire after a life-saving blood transfusion. His subsequent journey delves into complex moral and emotional territories, especially as he embarks on a torrid affair with Tae-ju (Kim Ok-bin).

Visually, Thirst stands out as arguably one of the best works of cinematographer Chung Chung-hoon. The film features captivating panoramic vistas and a striking visual style that enhances its thematic depth. The erotic scenes in the second half are both shocking and genuinely arousing, adding to the film's layered narrative. Additionally, the acting is exceptional, with Korean superstar Song Kang-ho delivering a deeply engrossing performance and Kim Ok-bin emerging impressively on the international stage.

While the Director's Cut runs a bit long, possibly losing steam towards the finale, it presents an enriching experience for established fans of Park Chan-wook’s oeuvre. The Blu-ray release by CJ Entertainment is visually and audibly solid, with abundant supplemental features including two audio commentaries and multiple featurettes. Although these extras lack English subtitles, the main feature does include both English and Korean subtitle options. This release is an essential upgrade for enthusiasts of the theatrical version but might not serve as the best entry point for newcomers due to its extended runtime.

Thirst, directed by Park Chan-wook, has been bestowed with an exceptional Blu-ray release by CJ Entertainment, allowing fans of the film to relish an immaculate viewing experience. The UK and Korean distributions both boast outstanding visual quality, presenting lush and vivid colors that enhance the film’s aesthetic appeal. The UK release, in particular, garners admiration for its rich color palette. Meanwhile, the Korean release includes the Director's Cut and features classy packaging, which elevates its allure. Given these enticing features, choosing between the two versions can be challenging.

Technically, both releases demonstrate remarkable attention to detail. The Blu-ray transfer showcases superb clarity and depth, essential for capturing Thirst's elaborate cinematography. The audio performances are equally impressive, delivering clear and dynamic soundscapes that complement the film's intense atmospheres. The inclusion of the Director's Cut in the Korean edition is a significant advantage for hardcore enthusiasts seeking the most complete experience of Park Chan-wook's vision.

Ultimately, Thirst's Blu-ray releases, whether UK or Korean, are exemplary in quality and presentation. The choice may come down to personal preference for visual styles or exclusive content. However, both editions ensure that this visually stunning and haunting film can be appreciated to its fullest potential. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.