Eyes Wide Shut Blu-ray Review

In this Blu-ray presentation of "Eyes Wide Shut," part of Warner's Kubrick collection, we delve into a visual experience that's both unique and somewhat controversial in its high-def rendition. The 1080p VC-1 encoded transfer attempts to navigate the inherently shadowy and surreal aspects of Kubrick's vision but encounters inconsistencies along the way. With an original palette that moves from vibrant and well-saturated in the opening scenes to desaturated and grainy as the narrative descends into nocturnal hallucinations, the transfer struggles to maintain fidelity. The black levels are notably uneven, oscillating between deep and murky, thereby compromising the image depth and leading to a presentation that, while free of compression artifacts, often appears washed out and lacking in sharpness.

Despite being the most recent among the films included in the Kubrick collection, "Eyes Wide Shut" ironically seems to benefit the least from the transition to high definition. This can be attributed to its bold stylistic choices—utilization of ostentatiously artificial sets, oversaturated colors, and diffused lighting that creates a highly theatrical effect—elements that do not necessarily translate well to video. The shift to a 1.78:1 widescreen format for its US Blu-ray debut only marginally elevates its visual appeal beyond standard definition. Colors are intense but prone to blurring and excessive noise, contributing to an image that feels perpetually soft and seldom achieves the desired depth or clarity.

Acknowledging the film's intentional aesthetic, this Blu-ray transfer cannot be dismissed outright; however, when compared against other entries in the Kubrick HD remasters, particularly the visually stunning transfers of "The Shining" and "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Eyes Wide Shut" falls short of expectations. Its video presentation, while devoid of glaring technical issues, ultimately leaves high-def aficionados yearning for a more consistent and impactful visual experience. The challenge of translating Kubrick's final and stylistically audacious film into high definition highlights the inherent tension between artistic vision and technical execution.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray edition of "Eyes Wide Shut," as part of Warner's Kubrock collection, offers an uncompressed PCM 5.1 mix at 48kHz/24-bit, which on paper should provide a premium listening experience. However, this implementation seems to miss the mark in capturing an immersive sound environment, reflecting a notable lack of surround effects and atmosphere throughout the film. The film's sound design remains heavily front-channel focused, with only occasional ventures into rear or side surround channels which are scarcely populated by either music or foley effects. Despite Stanley Kubrick's known disinterest in surround sound, the expectations for a high-res audio mix naturally incline towards a more enveloping experience, which this mix regrettably does not deliver.

On a more positive note, the fidelity of the audio is commendable, with no distortion or other issues detected, and the dialogue is clear and directionally accurate. The score, adhering to Kubrick's tradition of integrating classical pieces and standards, is well mixed and benefits from good dynamic range. However, the overall sound design lacks depth and dynamism, leaving much of the potential for sonic excitement untapped. The subwoofer is underutilized, resulting in a mix that occasionally feels thin and lacks the richness that could have complemented the film's erotic thriller atmosphere more effectively.

Regrettably, despite its technical proficiency in terms of clarity and absence of distortion, the audio presentation fails to leverage its high-resolution capabilities to create a memorable or particularly engaging listening experience. The soundstage feels constrained, with minimal use of discrete effects or atmospheric sounds to enhance the narrative or mood. In summary, while the audio is free from technical flaws, its conservative implementation detracts from what could have been a more captivating audiovisual experience.

This Blu-ray extra presentation for "Eyes Wide Shut" offers a well-curated selection of content that fans of Stanley Kubrick will find valuable, although it may leave some wishing for a more focused examination of his last film. Foremost, "The Last Movie: Stanley Kubrick and 'Eyes Wide Shut'" stands out, despite its broad strokes, offering rare family interviews and insights into Kubrick's work environment, thanks to unparalleled access to his private estate. Similarly, "Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick" provides intriguing glimpses into projects Kubrick never completed, narrated by Malcolm McDowell. While the supplemental material, including interviews with key figures like Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, and Nicole Kidman, adds personal perspectives to the mix, it's slightly marred by the presentation quality; all content is encoded in 480p/MPEG-2, which, while above average for SD, doesn't match the high-definition expectations of Blu-ray. The addition of Kubrick's Directors' Guild of America Award Speech and promotional materials offer a rounded package but further underscore the collection's nostalgic aspect rather than pushing the boundaries of Blu-ray capabilities.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Last Movie: Stanley Kubrick and 'Eyes Wide Shut': A documentary providing insights into Kubrick's final film alongside an exploration of his unfinished project A.I.
• Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick: Focuses on various uncompleted projects by Kubrick, providing fresh details.
• Directors' Guild of America Award Speech: Features Kubrick discussing philosophical perspectives.
• Interviews with Spielberg, Cruise and Kidman: A compilation of personal interviews offering intimate reflections on working with Kubrick.
• Trailers and TV Spots: Promotional materials for 'Eyes Wide Shut.'

Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut," his final film, emerges as a complex, often misunderstood piece that defies initial expectations. With its blend of surreal imagery and a dreamlike narrative, it delves deep into the psychology of marriage and infidelity. The casting of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Hollywood's most iconic couple at the time, in roles that showcase a frigid, passionless partnership, at first seemed puzzling. Despite featuring scenes of an explicit nature, particularly in the unrated Blu-ray version, the film strips away any veneer of eroticism to present a largely unsexy portrayal of sexual exploration and guilt. Kubrick’s choice of Cruise and Kidman, both lauded for their acting yet criticized for their lack of erotic chemistry, cleverly underscores the film's exploration of monogamy and the emptiness of superficially perfect lives.

Kubrick's adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's "Traumnovelle" significantly deviates from its source material, transforming a sexually charged journey into a haunting introspection on marital discontent and male anxiety. The film's meticulous craftsmanship is evident in its carefully framed shots and languid pace, which imbue the narrative with a haunting, surreal quality. However, the use of blatantly artificial sets to represent New York City nights and an over-the-top orgy scene flirt with the edges of absurdity, distracting from the film's otherwise cerebral underpinnings. These elements combined depict a descent into obsession following a seemingly innocuous confession of potential infidelity from Kidman’s character, leading Cruise’s character through a nightmarish exploration of temptation and self-discovery.

Despite its polarizing reception, "Eyes Wide Shut" is ripe for reevaluation. Its deliberate pacing, dreamlike atmosphere, and probing questions on love, fidelity, and the human condition encapsulate Kubrick's refusal to conform to mainstream expectations. Flawed yet fascinating, it stands as an enigmatic swan song from one of cinema's greatest auteurs. The Blu-ray presentation, offering only the unrated version contrary to packaging claims, provides an unfiltered gaze into Kubrick's meticulously crafted world, presenting a unique opportunity to experience the film’s full, unbridled vision.

Eyes Wide Shut," Stanley Kubrick's last film, continues to be a point of contention among cinephiles, much like the Blu-ray presentation that aims to bring a new dimension to its viewing. Its transition to Blu-ray, heralded as a long-awaited event especially for US audiences, delivers the movie in its unrated glory. However, this release is not without its faults. The picture quality, while a step up from previous formats, comes across as noisy, with colors that feel oversaturated and a general washed-out look. The audio track, delivered in PCM, doesn't do much to enhance the experience either, being described as rather bland. Despite these technical shortcomings, the inclusion of a selection of new extras offers valuable context and insight into Kubrick's complex world, perhaps mitigating the adverse effects of the less than perfect visual and audio fidelity.

Crucially, "Eyes Wide Shut" itself, a cinematic exploration of sexuality and obsession, wraps its audience in a hypnotic narrative fabric that's both unsettling and weirdly cold. This is a film that rewards patience and multiple viewings, creeping into the subconscious and unfolding its layers of depth and nuance over time. Kubrick fans and newcomers alike are encouraged to experience or revisit this piece, keeping in mind its potential to grow in appreciation much like Kubrick's other initially misunderstood works.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray release of "Eyes Wide Shut," despite its technical limitations, represents the most definitive home video version of Kubrick's enigmatic swan song to date. It offers a mixture of frustration with its visual and audio presentation and promise through its supplementary materials and the film’s capacity to engender deeper insight upon repeated viewings. It may not catalyze a major critical reassessment of the film, but it surely provides a platform for continued discussion and appreciation of Kubrick's complex exploration of human nature. Whether revisiting or discovering for the first time, viewers are in for an experience that is uniquely challenging yet rewarding.