Coriolanus Blu-ray Review
Score: 65
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
A gripping adaptation with stellar performances and high-quality video/audio, 'Coriolanus' enthralls Shakespeare fans and war film buffs, though it may challenge others.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 68
The Blu-ray presentation of 'Coriolanus' delivers a high-quality 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer with excellent detail, strong black levels, and natural grain, benefiting from Barry Ackroyd's gritty cinematography. Colors are muted and tones are cold, but detail remains sharp, enhancing the raw nature of the film. The Lossless DTS audio is impressive, with powerful LFE depth, engaging surround effects, and clear dialogue.
Audio: 70
Coriolanus' Blu-ray audio presentation impresses with its Lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, delivering immersive surround activity, precise LFE utilization, and clear dialogue amidst Shakespearian verse. Dynamic range is expansive, supporting both explosive war scenes and nuanced performances without distortion.
Extra: 47
The extras provide a mix of insightful commentary and engaging behind-the-scenes content; while Fiennes's commentary delves deeply into character analysis and film adaptation challenges, 'The Making of Coriolanus' featurette adds value with interviews and production insights, despite its brevity.
Movie: 77
'Coriolanus' shines with Ralph Fiennes' passionate direction and powerful performances, particularly from Fiennes and Gerard Butler. Despite a modern setting that sometimes clashes with Shakespeare's language, the film impressively tackles themes of pride, politics, and revenge with a visually engaging and emotionally potent approach.
Video: 68
The video presentation of the Blu-ray of "Coriolanus" showcases a competent yet subdued visual palette that mirrors the film's thematic gravity. The 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer, likely derived from digital intermediate files, renders both fine details and natural grain patterns admirably. Black levels are robust, contributing to a strong sense of depth, while shadow delineation remains precise with no notable instances of crush. The film employs a slightly gritty aesthetic with a muted color scheme, punctuated by occasional bursts of vibrancy that add visual engagement. The desaturated tones effectively echo the somber and militaristic themes, with textures such as the uniforms' fabrics and Vanessa Redgrave's weathered face rendered with impressive fidelity.
Barry Ackroyd's cinematography is delivered with a controlled use of shaky cam, favoring odd angles, variable speeds, and desaturated hues to create an intense sense of realism without excessive disorientation. The Serbian locations are seamlessly woven into the narrative, their authenticity enhanced by the Blu-ray's faithful reproduction of on-location imagery. Despite its visually kinetic nature, the video transfer manages to blend filmed sequences with actual news footage smoothly, preserving the raw and gritty ambiance required for dramatic impact. While the absence of major video extras might be noted, it allows the BD-25 disc to focus on delivering an immersive visual experience without compression artifacts such as noise or pixelation, maintaining overall image integrity throughout.
Audio: 70
The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Coriolanus" offers an exceptionally dynamic and engaging experience. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix stands out with its impressive use of surround sound, particularly during the intense war scenes. Explosions, automatic weapon fire, and rocket blasts are reproduced with striking clarity and depth, creating an immersive soundscape that is both unnerving and captivating. The low-frequency effects (LFE) channel adds substantial weight to the audio, ensuring room-shaking bursts of bass. This heightened realism effectively draws viewers into the chaotic urban firefights and underscores the gravity of the political turmoil.
In quieter moments, the sound design continues to impress with its meticulous attention to detail. Artistic atmospherics are skillfully utilized, providing a sense of presence without overwhelming the dialogue or narrative. The dialogue itself is handled with remarkable precision, ensuring that Shakespeare's complex verses are always discernible, even amidst nuanced performances and varied dialects. Vanessa Redgrave's portrayal of Volumnia particularly benefits from this technical prowess, as her subtle yet potent delivery is preserved in pristine clarity. The rich surround activity extends to crowd scenes, omnipresent murmurs, and chants, contributing to the film's tense atmosphere.
Overall, the audio fidelity remains consistent throughout, with expansive dynamic range and no perceptible distortions across frequencies. The stereo separation across the front channels delivers an additional layer of immediacy, enhancing the engagement with both action-packed sequences and delicate dramatic moments. Episodes of silence are handled cleanly, devoid of stray noise, maintaining the track's high quality. This powerful audio mix rivals that of any contemporary big-budget action movie and significantly enriches the viewing experience of "Coriolanus."
Extras: 47
The Blu-ray of "Coriolanus" offers an insightful collection of extras that dives deep into the intricacies of the film's production. The commentary by Ralph Fiennes stands out, delivering a rich exploration of character motivations and the transformation from stage to screen. While some find his focus narrow, primarily encapsulating scene-specific actions, the commentary is a valuable resource for understanding Shakespearean adaptations. Moreover, "The Making of 'Coriolanus'" featurette provides a concise look behind the scenes with interviews from the cast and crew, offering perspectives on the modern adaptation and Fiennes's directorial ambitions.
Extras included in this disc:
- Commentary by Ralph Fiennes: Detailed discussion on character intent and production nuances.
- The Making of 'Coriolanus': Brief featurette with cast and crew interviews.
Movie: 77
Ralph Fiennes' ambitious adaptation of Shakespeare's Coriolanus transports the narrative to a contemporary setting, infusing modern technology and urban warfare into the timeless tale of political strife and personal vendetta. Playing the titular role, Fiennes delivers a commanding performance that captures the complex, unyielding nature of Caius Martius Coriolanus, a Roman general turned outcast who allies with his sworn enemy, played by Gerard Butler, to exact revenge on his homeland. The screenplay by John Logan fuses the original Shakespearean text with cinematic flair, ensuring an emotional resonance and raw intensity highlighted by Fiennes' keen directorial vision.
The film's setting—a nameless modern city reminiscent of war-torn locales like Cairo or Damascus—successfully grounds the events in a relatable context. This update allows Fiennes and Logan to draw parallels with contemporary conflicts and political unrest, enhancing the narrative's relevance and immediacy. The inclusion of modern devices such as news broadcasts and cell phone footage heightens this effect. Vanessa Redgrave's portrayal of Volumnia, Coriolanus' formidable mother, stands out as a career-highlight performance, delivering a poignant portrayal of fierce maternal ambition and loyalty.
Despite these strengths, the film's adherence to Shakespeare's original language presents a noticeable challenge. While purists may appreciate the dedication to authenticity, some viewers may find the archaic dialogue an obstacle to fully connecting with the story. Nevertheless, Fiennes' visual style, marked by dynamic camera work and brisk editing, keeps the film engaging and briskly paced. Overall, Coriolanus is a bold cinematic endeavor that succeeds in blending Shakespearean drama with modern cinematic techniques, though it remains a rendition likely more embraced by Shakespeare enthusiasts than casual viewers.
Total: 65
Ralph Fiennes' adaptation of Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" is a commendable risk that pays off handsomely. The Blu-ray presentation is undeniably compelling, with precise video and audio quality that accentuates the intense, gritty scenes and intricate character dynamics. Fiennes' decision to modernize the setting while retaining the original text offers a unique viewing experience that blends centuries-old dialogue with contemporary visuals, creating an engaging dichotomy. However, this choice may require viewers to invest additional effort in deciphering the language, potentially alienating some audiences.
The film features stellar performances from an impeccable cast, delivering their lines with such conviction that the archaic language becomes secondary to the raw emotion conveyed. This production succeeds in exploring relevant themes of political turmoil and personal vendettas, making it resonate deeply with modern viewers. While the Blu-ray's supplementary materials are sparse, the exceptional quality of the main feature offsets this minor shortcoming.
In conclusion, "Coriolanus" on Blu-ray is an essential addition for Shakespeare enthusiasts, war film aficionados, and drama lovers alike. Fiennes' modernized take on the classic play is both entrancing and thought-provoking, if slightly demanding due to its adherence to original Shakespearean dialogue. Despite its niche appeal, the high-quality execution and powerful performances make this Blu-ray a valuable acquisition for any serious collection. For those willing to embrace the linguistic challenge, this production offers a rich, rewarding cinematic experience.
Blu-ray.com review by Michael ReubenRead review here
Video: 90
Detail is excellent, grain patterns appear natural (to the extent they have survived the DI process), and the filmed sequences have been skillfully blended with the "found" footage culled from news reports...
Audio: 90
In the Roman sequences, where political intrigues are always brewing, the sound of the crowd that will ultimately banish the general from the city fills the soundfield, sometimes as an ominous murmur,...
Extras: 80
Along the way, Fiennes drops informative tidbits about how screenwriter Logan translated the play into a film, working in the city of Belgrade, the challenges of relocating the play to a contemporary setting,...
Movie: 100
Coriolanus remains a remote and unpopular work, ignored except by an occasional provocateur like T.S. Eliot, who famously claimed that the play was superior to Hamlet....
Total: 90
If you're a Shakespeare fan, you should get this Blu-ray, because you're not likely to see a production of Coriolanus anytime soon, and if you do, it probably won't be as effective....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Militaristic greys predominate, but the textures of uniforms come through well and subtle variations of shade keep the eye engaged....
Audio: 80
Subtle atmospherics are also well rendered, and solid stereo separation across the front channels lends a more immediate feel to the drama....
Extras: 20
He spends a great deal of time describing the on-screen drama and offering some character and thematic analysis, and addresses some of the alterations he and screenwriter John Logan made to the original...
Movie: 60
This personal prejudice undoubtedly colored my view of 'Coriolanus,' and despite fine acting by an accomplished cast, and a valiant attempt to energize the drama with a number of large-scale battle scenes,...
Total: 60
'Coriolanus' is an impressive production, filled with gritty scenes of conflict, relevant themes, and fine performances by a stellar cast, but unless you're a true Shakespeare aficionado, you might not...
AVSForumRead review here
Video: 84
The films cinematography lends to a look that is cold with muted tones that don't pop off the screen and occasional moments of softness....
Audio: 90
The films cinematography lends to a look that is cold with muted tones that don't pop off the screen and occasional moments of softness....
Extras: 50
...
Movie: 80
Ralph Fiennes stars as Caius Martius Coriolanus', and he also directed the film (he played the role on stage in the early 2ks)....
Total: 76
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Director: Ralph Fiennes
Actors: Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Brian Cox
PlotSet in a modern, war-torn country, the story follows the life of the fierce and proud Roman General Caius Martius, later known as Coriolanus, who has earned a formidable reputation on the battlefield. His warrior prowess and victories over the Volscian army bring him acclaim and the admiration of his peers. Influenced by his strong-willed mother, Volumnia, he enters the political arena, aiming for the position of Consul. However, Coriolanus struggles with the required diplomacy and disdainfully views the common people, whose support he needs. His inability to mask his contempt leads to public unrest and political fallout.
Amidst growing opposition, he is ultimately deemed a traitor and banished from Rome despite his lifelong service. Enraged and seeking revenge, Coriolanus allies himself with his former enemy, Tullus Aufidius, the leader of the Volscians. This alliance sets in motion a chain of events that drives him toward a confrontation with the very city he once defended. The ensuing drama explores themes of honor, power, betrayal, and the complex relationship between personal vendetta and public duty.
Writers: John Logan, William Shakespeare
Release Date: 20 Jan 2012
Runtime: 123 min
Rating: R
Country: United Kingdom, United States, Serbia
Language: English