First Man Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "First Man" delivers a texturally rich and visually compelling experience, grounded in the choice to shoot on film. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode capably reproduces the gritty intimacy of the 1960s period, illuminating the intricate facial textures of the actors, instrument clusters in the spacecraft, and civilian clothing with remarkable clarity. This fine layer of grain enhances the visual authenticity and envelops each scene with nostalgic yet tactile realism. While colors aren't excessively expressive, they maintain core vibrancy and depth, faithfully rendering golden astronaut visors, earthy period attire, and vivid primary tones. Skin tones appear natural and black levels are deep, providing perfect shadow detail. Occasional filmic imperfections like speckles and debris add to the authentic aesthetic without compromising overall quality.

Variations in film stock—16mm, 35mm, and 65mm—introduce noticeable fluctuations in sharpness and grain that reflect the filmmakers' creative intentions. Background details and spacecraft interiors are well-defined, revealing every nook and cranny, while facial complexions are meticulously captured through close-ups. The film's contrast is carefully managed to serve the narrative's sombre tones, appearing reserved and flat in some scenes while becoming dynamic and vivid in action sequences. Brightness levels maintain consistency, with velvety blacks and inky shadows contributing to a classic cinematic appeal. The stylistic orange-teal cinematography by Linus Sandgren brings out yellows, ambers, and browns, aligning with the film's rugged, vintage documentary aesthetics. Blues and reds also stand out vividly, further enhancing the visual storytelling.

Overall, this Blu-ray transfer remains true to the filmmakers’ artistic vision, providing an immersive viewing experience without necessarily serving as demo material for high-end systems. The careful balance of texture, color accuracy, and period-specific visual elements make it a first-class image representation that honors both the 1080p format and traditional film techniques.

The Dolby Atmos track for "First Man" immediately engages the listener with its exceptional detailing, precisely capturing the chaos and nuance of a test flight sequence. The audio engineering expert delivers on all fronts, immersing the audience in sonic details like rattles, rumbles, heavy breathing, and engine hums. This chaotic cacophony masterfully transitions into moments of serene silence as the plane breaches the Earth's atmosphere, only to explode back into intensity upon reentry. The launch and ascent sequences of Gemini 8 stand out, enveloping the listener in an immersive soundfield that convincingly portrays the creaks, thrusts, and rattles of space travel, seamlessly integrating overhead channels to enhance the realism of these dynamically intense scenes.

The soundtrack's emphasis on character interactions delivers precise and well-prioritized dialogue, maintaining clarity even amidst the intense moments. The detailed mid-range imaging provides excellent clarity, especially during action sequences, while subtly incorporating background commotion that moves smoothly across the front channels and top heights. Though the low-end could be more pronounced during launch scenes for some listeners' tastes, the bass remains commanding and occasionally couch-shaking. The rear channel activity is reserved but impactful, filling the room with ambient sounds from NASA control room chatter to the physical clanging inside spacecraft interiors. The Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 sequences highlight the demo-worthy moments where every sound effect pans flawlessly in every direction and overhead, resulting in a fully immersive auditory experience that places viewers at the heart of the action.

Overall, this Dolby Atmos track from Universal is a demonstration-worthy effort, showcasing strikingly efficient sound design that enhances both the historical and emotional content of "First Man." The balanced integration of fronts, surrounds, and overheads coupled with musical fidelity and low-end depth create an engaging soundscape that is essential to shaping some of the movie's most dramatic scenes.

The Blu-ray extras for "First Man" provide a comprehensive and insightful delve into both the production process and historical context of the film. The content spans detailed director discussions, cast and crew insights, and behind-the-scenes technical explorations. Highlights include a rigorous audio commentary track featuring Director Damien Chazelle, Screenwriter Josh Singer, and Editor Tim Cross, offering a deep exploration of key sequences and technical details. Other standout features include examinations of innovative visual technologies like the LED wall, in-depth looks at historical recreations, and cast training sessions that integrated real NASA technologies and locations. These extras not only enhance the viewing experience but also provide a richer understanding of the film's dedication to authenticity.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Detailed track with Damien Chazelle, Josh Singer, and Tim Cross.
• Putting You in the Seat: Insights into the visual and aural style, including LED wall technology.
• Recreating the Moon Landing: Behind-the-scenes of the iconic sequence.
• Giant Leap in One Small Step: Focus on Armstrong’s personal life.
• Shooting for the Moon: Chazelle discusses the film's creation and casting Ryan Gosling.
• Preparing to Launch: Cast & crew discuss Armstrong’s unknown heroism.
• Astronaut Training: Actors prepare using NASA technologies.
• Mission Gone Wrong: Examination of the film's stunt work.
• Shooting at NASA: Benefits of shooting in real NASA locations.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes ‘House Fire’ and ‘Apollo 8 Launch’.

"First Man" is a captivating biographical drama directed by Damien Chazelle that focuses on the personal journey of Neil Armstrong, portrayed by Ryan Gosling. Rather than presenting a detailed technical narrative on the Apollo 11 mission itself, Chazelle opts for an intimate portrayal of Armstrong, emphasizing his emotional and psychological struggles. The screenplay by Josh Singer, based on James R. Hansen's biography, grounds the narrative in Armstrong's life, particularly his grief over the tragic loss of his young daughter. Chazelle's direction ensures the film remains tightly focused on Armstrong's inner turmoil juxtaposed with his professional dedication, creating a compelling duality between his personal sorrow and his incredible historic achievement.

Ryan Gosling delivers a restrained yet powerful performance that captures Armstrong's emotional burden and professional facade. His portrayal is deliberate, intense, and highly introspective, embodying a grieving father navigating his way through monumental historical moments. The film's cinematography, characterized by tight framing and shaky-cam techniques, mirrors the instability of Armstrong's experiences, both in space and emotionally. This visual style effectively conveys the turbulence of high-risk space travel while reflecting Armstrong's inner tumult, although at times it feels excessive and self-indulgent.

Claire Foy's portrayal of Janet Armstrong is equally compelling, adding depth to the story as it explores her own struggles alongside her husband's perilous career. Chazelle brings a touch of awe-inspiring realism to the moon landing sequence, blending meticulous set designs and visual effects to recreate one of humanity's greatest achievements. Despite occasional stylistic excesses, "First Man" excels as a profoundly humanizing depiction of a legendary figure, balancing historical grandeur with heartfelt personal drama.

"First Man" is an introspective exploration of Neil Armstrong's journey, both to the moon and within his soul. Damien Chazelle masterfully directs the narrative, intertwining epic historical scope with deep, intimate character development. Exceptional performances from Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy anchor the story's emotional core. Cinematically, the film stands out with its captivating cinematography, capturing both the vastness of space and the personal struggles of its protagonist.

The Blu-ray edition impresses with a near-perfect technical presentation. The video quality is excellent, showcasing the film's heavily-stylized visual aesthetic with immaculate detail and clarity. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is particularly noteworthy, immersing viewers in the film’s sonic landscape, from the quiet moments of introspection to the thunderous roars of rocket launches. However, the included bonus content, while informative, falls somewhat short of expectations in terms of length and depth.

In conclusion, "First Man" seamlessly blends historical grandeur with personal narrative, making it one of 2018's standout films. The Blu-ray edition is remarkably well-produced, featuring top-tier picture and sound quality. Despite minor shortcomings in supplemental material, this release is highly recommended for both cinephiles and history enthusiasts alike.