Fight Club Blu-ray Review
Score: 79
from 5 reviewers
Review Date:
Fight Club Blu-ray is a must-buy with unmatched AV quality, packed extras, and at a great price.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 71
'Fight Club' Blu-ray impresses with crystal-clear, detailed visuals and a muted yet impactful color palette, staying true to its gritty style; a must-see upgrade.
Audio: 81
'Fight Club' BD dazzles with a stellar DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, elevating the audio beyond its DVD counterpart, mixing explosive action with immersive subtleties and a dynamic score.
Extra: 83
The 'Fight Club' BD release dazzles with extensive extras including four insightful commentaries, new features, a fun interactive audio mix, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and an art gallery, though it recycles most content from the DVD without much new HD upgrade.
Movie: 89
'Fight Club,' directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter, is a groundbreaking film that challenges societal norms and explores deep themes of identity, consumerism, and masculinity, leaving a lasting impact on cinema.
Video: 71
The Blu-ray presentation of "Fight Club" in widescreen 2.40:1 with MPEG-4 AVC 1080p coding marks a significant upgrade from its DVD predecessor, delivering an image clarity and texture fidelity that faithfully restores the film's intentionally gritty and dark aesthetic. The transition from the original Super 35mm film stock preserves the movie's raw energy, accentuating details such as facial imperfections, the fabric of characters' clothing, and the decrepit state of the Paper Street house with remarkable clarity. This meticulous attention to detail extends to legibility in textual visuals and a vivid portrayal of fight scenes, ensuring that the visual narrative unfolds with enhanced depth and realism.
Color reproduction on this Blu-ray sticks closely to the film's original palette, favoring earthy tones and desaturated colors that align with its thematic darkness, interspersed with stronger primaries that illuminate key scenes without betraying the film's overall atmospheric tension. The handling of black levels and shadows is notably improved, offering a dynamic range that deepens the visual immersion into the movie's multifaceted world. The natural film grain remains unobtrusive, adding to the film's organic feel rather than detracting from the viewing experience.
The disc's technical prowess is further demonstrated through a consistent grain layer and absence of digital noise reduction (DNR), allowing for an authentic reproduction of the cinematic texture. This release shows an exceptional handling of contrast and lighting, enhancing details in both brightly lit scenes and preserving the integrity of darker moments with refined shadow delineation. Despite limited directorial involvement in this Blu-ray edition, it undoubtedly represents the best home video iteration of "Fight Club" to date, providing fans and newcomers alike with a visually compelling reason to revisit this cult classic. The improved detail, especially in textures and background elements, alongside strategic color highlights, makes for a viewing experience that is as close as possible to director David Fincher’s vision, even if he did not oversee the transfer personally.
Audio: 81
The "Fight Club" Blu-ray release truly sets a new standard for audio quality, boasting a dts HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that is nothing short of reference-grade. From the highly recognizable, bass-thumping opening title sequence by The Dust Brothers, to the nuanced ambience of quieter scenes, this soundtrack showcases an improvement so considerable over the THX certified R1 DVD edition that it's bound to astound even the most discerning audiophiles. The aggressive dynamic range and potent clarity of the soundtrack lend every moment, from the visceral punch of the fight scenes to the subtle soundscapes of quieter introspections, a palpable presence that immerses viewers fully into the film's sonic world. The meticulously crafted audio mix flawlessly balances clear, crisp dialogue with an expansive soundstage, ensuring that even the weightiest of subwoofer thumps or the slightest ambient effects are rendered with precise directional correlation.
The use of surround channels enriches the auditory experience significantly, placing viewers right in the middle of the action and ambience with relentless precision. Scenes such as the harrowing plane crash sequence or the cacophony of a chaotic car crash are rendered with such startling clarity and depth that they set a new benchmark for home theater experiences. Ambient sounds, from the mundane chatter of office life to the echoing solace of support group meetings, are elevated to an art form, creating a sonic tapestry that is as engaging in its subtleties as it is overwhelming in its explosive moments. Moreover, the soundtrack's dynamic range from whisper-quiet moments to deafening explosions ensures that every scene is given a lifelike quality, connecting the audience more deeply with the film's narrative.
The Dust Brothers' score remains potent and addictive, enveloping viewers in a techno-symphonic journey that complements the film's gripping visual and narrative elements. It acts as both a backbone and an enhancement to the already stellar audio presentation, integrating seamlessly with each scene to push the boundaries of what a home audio system can achieve. Combined with a well-prioritized dialogue track that maintains vocal clarity despite the encompassing sonic maelstrom, and an absence of technical flaws across the board, the Blu-ray audio track for "Fight Club" is not only a testament to the prowess of its sound design but also serves as an impeccable example for others to follow.
Extras: 83
The Blu-Ray edition of "Fight Club" boasts an extensive collection of extras, preserving the depth and breadth of content found in the 2-disc special edition DVD while adding a handful of enhancements. Noteworthy for its inclusion are four comprehensive commentary tracks that dive deep into every facet of the film's production and narrative intricacies. The standout feature, Insomniac Mode: I am Jack's Search Index, offers a novel way to navigate through the sea of content, pinpointing specific topics within the movie and the supplementary material. Innovations such as "A Hit in the Ear: Ren Klyce and the Sound Design of Fight Club" engage viewers further, allowing for an interactive exploration of the film's auditory landscape. Despite some missed opportunities for new documentaries or high-definition upgrades for all features, the Blu-Ray still stands as a treasure trove for fans, affording a rich behind-the-scenes look at this cult classic.
Extras included in this disc:
- Commentary by David Fincher
- Commentary by David Fincher, Brad Pitt, Ed Norton, Helena Bonham Carter
- Commentary by Chuck Palahniuk and Jim Uhls
- Commentary by Alex McDowell, Jeff Cronenweth, Michael Kaplan, Kevin Haug
- A Hit in the Ear: Ren Klyce and the Sound Design of Fight Club
- Flogging Fight Club – 10-minute featurette
- Insomniac Mode: I Am Jack's Search Index – Interactive topic/commentary guide/search options
- Behind the Scenes:
- Commentaries on visual effects
- Production – 6 segments
- Visual effects – 9 segments
- On location
- 7 Deleted/Alternate Scenes
- Publicity Material:
- Trailers
- 17 TV spots
- 2 public service announcements
- Music video
- Internet spots
- Promo gallery
- Ed Norton interview
- Art Gallery:
- Storyboards
- Visual effects stills
- Paper Street house
- Costumes/makeup
Movie: 89
"Fight Club," helmed by the ever-provocative David Fincher, emerges over a decade since its debut not just as a film but as a cultural phenomenon, grappling with themes of masculinity, consumerism, and societal detachment that remain eerily resonant today. With a narrative powered by Chuck Palahniuk's razor-sharp novel, the movie unfolds the story of an insomniac office worker and a slippery soap salesman who establish an underground fight club as a radical form of psychotherapy. Fincher's direction injects a visceral energy into Palahniuk’s existential examination, crafting a gritty, stylized world where Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter deliver performances that are as compelling as they are complex. The chemistry between Norton and Pitt defines the film's dynamic, driving home the narrative's exploration of duality and identity dissolution.
Technically, "Fight Club" showcases Fincher’s mastery over the medium, employing innovative cinematography, aggressive editing, and a somber yet potent score by The Dust Brothers that collectively capture the film’s anarchic spirit. Its distinct visual style—characterized by desaturated colors and a kinetic camera—creates an atmosphere as raw and rugged as the titular club’s basement brawls. This film was a pioneer in its use of computer-generated imagery, not for spectacle but to immerse viewers deeper into its twisted psyche, zooming through trash bins and brain synapses alike to reveal the inner workings of its protagonist's mind.
Yet, beyond its technical bravado and narrative audacity, "Fight Club" serves as a stark reflection on the discontents of late 20th-century existence, meditating on what it means to search for identity in a prepackaged world. Its polarizing reception only underscores its success in challenging audiences, leaving us to ponder whether its violence is a critique or catharsis. The movie's enigmatic conclusion invites us to consider our place within the very culture it scrutinizes, proving "Fight Club" remains as much a mirror to society now as it was upon its release.
Total: 79
The Blu-ray release of David Fincher's 'Fight Club' presents a compelling case for upgrading from DVD, offering a significant enhancement in both video and audio quality that will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers to the film. The video presentation showcases an impressive leap in detail, particularly noticeable in the film's darker scenes, making for a visually stunning experience. This is complemented by a reference-grade, uncompressed audio track that adds depth and intensity to the movie's dynamic score and sound design. The inclusion of four commentary tracks and several exclusive Blu-ray supplements enriches the viewing experience further, providing comprehensive insights into the making of this cinematic masterpiece.
Technical specifics cited from an enthusiast's testing setup, including the JVC DLA-RS20 1080p High Definition Front Projector and an array of high-quality audio equipment, underscore the disc's superior performance. The enhancements in clarity and the immersive audio make a strong argument for the upgrade, especially when considering the relatively modest price point mentioned for such a content-rich package. The minor criticism regarding the lack of new supplementary material pales in comparison to the overall value offered by this release.
In conclusion, the Blu-ray edition of 'Fight Club' stands out as a must-have for film enthusiasts, offering unparalleled audiovisual quality and a wealth of extras that justify its acquisition. With its state-of-the-art presentation, supplementary content that complements the film’s legacy, and a price that makes it an irresistible addition to any collection, it remains exemplary of what Blu-ray releases should aspire to be. Whether you're revisiting Tyler Durden’s world or discovering it for the first time, this release offers a consummate viewing experience that honors Fincher's vision with technical excellence.
avforums review by AVForumsRead review here
Video: 90
There are some strong primaries on display during the more brightly lit portions but for the majority the palette is muted but naturalistic and solid....
Audio: 90
This is one of those effects that I did not previously notice on the DVD release, as was the tinkling of the bell signifying a reel change during Tyler's splicing activities....
Extras: 90
There are a couple of periods of inactivity and Fincher does focus a lot on the production (and other technical) aspects of filming and how the movie came to be, but this is a very worthwhile track nonetheless....
Movie: 100
Starting up an illegal Fight Clubs to provide an outlet for his aggression and frustration (and to potentially cure his insomnia), it's not long before “Jack” (Norton) and his new best friend, Tyler Durden...
Total: 100
The video presentation offers a distinct and worthwhile upgrade from DVD, with a huge amount of detail on show, even through the gloom of the many dimly lit scenes....
Blu-ray.com review by Casey BroadwaterRead review here
Video: 90
Likewise, black levels are dense and deep, prompting a bit of intentional crush here and there, but generally giving the image a satisfying sense of presence....
Audio: 100
The sound design throughout the film is consistently engaging and immersive, delivering ear-shattering blows when called for and bringing quieter scenes to life with subtle, place-establishing ambience....
Extras: 80
The bulk of the bonus features here are identical to those on the 2-disc special edition DVD, but there are few additions to sweeten the deal, including an interactive audio featurette, an acceptance speech...
Movie: 80
The cinematography is stylized and evocative, the camera movements assured and occasionally glitzy, but always in service of the film's wink-wink ironic detachment, and never to simply draw attention to...
Total: 90
There's not much in the way of new supplementary material, but with a visual boost in clarity and a sonic pummeling�courtesy of a lossless audio track�this Blu-ray release of Fight Club is a heavy hitter,...
The Digital Bits review by Tim SalmonsRead review here
Video: 95
Audio: 100
The audio, on the other hand, is absolutely remarkable and a definite improvement over previous DVD releases....
Extras: 100
Movie: 100
A hard-nosed anti-establishment character study with a slight touch of love story thrown in, it became an instant cult classic upon release and established David Fincher as a filmmaking force to be reckoned...
Total: 99
There isn’t much more that can be said about the Blu-ray release of Fight Club, other than it’s a release definitely worth picking up....
High-Def Digest review by Drew TaylorRead review here
Video: 80
While Fox claims that David Fincher was deeply involved with the production of this Blu-ray, his involvement isn't really apparent anywhere (save for a cute Easter Egg I'll get to in a minute)....
Audio: 100
The fight scenes are brutal, with the surround sound coming to life not only with the thwacks and cracks of the violence but with the sound of the spectators huddled around watching the blood sport....
Extras: 70
There are a couple of new special features, but nothing in the way of retrospective documentaries - I would have loved a feature about the post-'Fight Club' fallout like then-Fox head Bill Mechanic getting...
Movie: 90
Also, while the movie often adheres too rigidly to the Chuck Pahlniuk novel of the same name, there are some deviations that make little-to-no sense (the dramatic scale is lessened when the final denouement...
Total: 90
While the Blu-ray retains all of the special features from the groundbreaking 2000 DVD, it does add some interesting features, including a borderline revolutionary Google-y search feature that could be...
AVSForumRead review here
Video: 86
Delineation in dark backgrounds is affected by this in those same instances but otherwise reveals plenty of detail and depth....
Audio: 100
I don’t see that as a problem since it means that as enthusiasts we are able to enjoy superlative reference quality sound which is of course a good thing....
Extras: 80
Ren Klyce and the sound design of Fight Club (HD) Flogging Fight Club – 10 minute featurette Insomnia mode: I am Jack’s search mode – Interactive topic/commentary guide/search options Behind the scenes:...
Movie: 80
A lonely, isolated thirty-something young professional in an unidentified, semi-stylized city, seeks an escape from his ordinary life with the help of a devious soap salesman....
Total: 87
THX Ultra 2 Preamp/Video Processor Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier Oppo BDP-83 Universal disc/Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)...
Director: David Fincher
Actors: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf
PlotThe film follows the life of a disillusioned and insomniac office worker desperate to escape the monotonous routine of his white-collar job. His search for meaning leads to chance encounters with a charismatic soap salesman and the formation of an underground fight club. The club is born out of a desire to experience something real amidst the numbing constraints of modern society. It starts as a form of primal therapy for men to release their frustrations through bare-knuckle brawling. The physical altercations serve as a cathartic release, and the club quickly gains popularity, spreading to multiple cities.
As the protagonist becomes more entrenched in the club's activities, he forms a complex relationship with the salesman and meets an enigmatic woman who complicates his life further. The fight club's ethos starts to evolve beyond the mere act of fighting, developing into a subversive subculture with its own anti-materialistic philosophy. This philosophy begins to spiral into something far more dangerous and anarchistic than the protagonist initially envisioned, threatening to upend not only his own sanity but also the very fabric of society. The questions of identity, purpose, and self-destruction become increasingly pertinent as he navigates the chaotic world he has become a part of.
Writers: Chuck Palahniuk, Jim Uhls
Release Date: 15 Oct 1999
Runtime: 139 min
Rating: R
Country: Germany, United States
Language: English