Taking Woodstock Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the "Taking Woodstock" Blu-ray faithfully preserves director Ang Lee's artistic vision, matching the film's period piece ambiance with a distinctive softness and natural lighting. Universally encoded in 1080p/VC-1, the transfer eschews artificial sharpening, maintaining the integrity of Eric Gautier’s cinematography. Colors, although muted to reflect the earthy tones of the era, come across as rich and lifelike, particularly enhancing the natural skin tones and lush greenery depicted during daytime scenes. Blacks lean towards charcoal rather than deep ink, fitting the film's aesthetic but occasionally falling short in definitive shadow detailing.

Despite a tendency towards softer focus that may obscure some finer details and render background elements slightly waxy, the overall image remains stable and clean. This is achieved without introducing common digital artifacts such as banding, ringing, or aliasing. Notably, the outdoor daylight sequences exhibit exceptional clarity and depth, with the rich hues of the White Lake wilderness vividly portrayed, and the neon bursts during Elliot’s acid trip are strikingly noticeable. However, darker scenes do present challenges; shadows can become engulfing to an extent where characters appear partially suspended in darkness, which could be distracting.

In summary, "Taking Woodstock" offers a solid yet intentionally subdued visual experience that is faithful to its director’s intent. The balance between clarity and artistic softness is effectively maintained, creating an immersive viewing experience that should be appreciated by both retro enthusiasts and modern cinephiles. The absence of digital noise and artifacting further complements this carefully crafted representation of a dreamscape from a pivotal cultural moment.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track on the Blu-ray release of "Taking Woodstock" is crafted with precision, though it subverts expectations by not focusing heavily on concert music, given the film's subject matter. The rear speakers are utilized to create an immersive atmosphere, subtle yet effective, with faint echoes of the distant festival providing an authentic background. These elements combine to deliver a soundscape that feels genuine and historically anchored. Despite its balanced distribution, the overall effect is primarily front-heavy due to the dialogue-driven narrative. The film's audio isn't explosive or overbearing but stands as a testament to nuanced sound design with clear, intelligible dialogue and solid LFE support that enriches scenes with deeper effects.

Ambient noise is another exquisite detail, building from the surround channels as the film progresses, notably capturing the essence of the unfolding events with a steady stream of background crowd sounds. Directionality is meticulously managed, with notable instances such as the realistic portrayal of helicopters sweeping across the soundfield. Lacking a bombastic auditory experience, "Taking Woodstock" instead provides a subtle auditory journey with refined nuances that audiophiles will find satisfying. Whether it’s distant concert music drifting into frame or the weight of heated crowd moments, this track carefully constructs an engulfing environment that transports listeners back to Bethel, New York, in 1969.

The Blu-ray edition of "Taking Woodstock" presents a compact yet enriching selection of special features for fans. The standout extra is the engaging Audio Commentary by director Ang Lee and writer James Schamus, offering candid insights, personal anecdotes, and in-depth production details. The Six Deleted Scenes could easily be integrated into the main film, while "Peace, Love and Cinema" delivers a comprehensive behind-the-scenes documentary interspersed with cast and crew interviews, although some participants might come off as slightly irritating. Conversely, "No Audience Required: The Earthlight Players" provides a superficial look at secondary characters. Additionally, the disc offers Universal's standard Blu-ray exclusive features, including My Scenes bookmarking and BD-Live Functionality.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Deep, engaging commentary by Ang Lee and James Schamus.
• Deleted Scenes: Six scenes that provide additional context but were cut for pacing.
• Peace, Love and Cinema: Comprehensive making-of documentary with crew interviews.
• No Audience Required: The Earthlight Players: Brief look at supporting characters.

Ang Lee's "Taking Woodstock" is not primarily a concert film but rather an introspective journey centered around the people behind the historic music festival and the transformative effects on their lives. The film unfolds in the summer of 1969, focusing on Elliot Tiber (played adeptly by Demetri Martin), who endeavors to save his family's struggling motel in Bethel, New York, by securing permits and rallying support for the event. The narrative garners richness from Martin’s understated performance, lending a quiet comedy that aligns well with Lee’s meticulous direction. However, while the veteran cast members bring gravitas, the film suffers from a lack of narrative drive and character development, leaving emotional arcs less impactful than anticipated.

Despite its potential, "Taking Woodstock" grapples with an identity crisis, oscillating between light-hearted nostalgia and subdued drama without settling on a cohesive tone. James Schamus' script lacks depth, and Ang Lee’s wandering camera fails to delve into the complex emotions behind the characters' experiences, resulting in an atmosphere that often feels superficially dreamy. The film's focus on fragmentary cameo-style interactions detracts from a more profound exploration of the real human beings central to the story. Moreover, the avoidance of the actual concert scenes—which are only indirectly referenced—diminishes the film's ability to capture the cultural significance of Woodstock fully. This creative choice underscores a missed opportunity to juxtapose personal transformation with broader cultural revolution effectively.

From a technical standpoint, "Taking Woodstock" excels. The choreography of large crowd scenes and traffic jams is intricate and impressive, contributing to a sense of controlled chaos reflective of the era's spirit. Nevertheless, while the thematic undertones of peace and love permeate the narrative, they fail to mask the screenplay's shallowness and lack of genuine narrative propulsion. Ultimately, while “Taking Woodstock” offers a somewhat engaging peripheral view of the iconic festival, its inability to balance sentimentality with substantive storytelling leaves it a curiously inert experience.

"Taking Woodstock," directed by Ang Lee, offers a nostalgic portrayal of the iconic 1969 music festival through the personal journey of its characters. Lee skillfully captures the essence of the era, although the film at times struggles to find a consistent tone. While the narrative lacks the transformative impact one might expect from a Woodstock-themed movie, it compensates with interesting character arcs and moments of genuine charm.

Universal’s Blu-ray release excels technically, providing an impressive video transfer that faithfully replicates the film's vibrant, 60s aesthetic. The DTS-HD Master Audio track is immersive, capturing the hectic energy and ambient sounds of Woodstock with precision. In addition, the supplemental features are robust, offering behind-the-scenes insights that enrich the viewing experience without overshadowing the main content.

In conclusion, "Taking Woodstock" may not be a profound cinematic masterpiece; however, it remains an enjoyable period piece with appealing characters. Lee's film falls short of delivering the deep, wry humor one might expect, but fans will appreciate the authentic Blu-ray presentation. The solid visual and audio elements, along with worthwhile extras, provide a well-rounded package. Those uncertain about whether to purchase may wish to view it first, but overall, fans should find satisfaction in this high-quality release.