Visitors Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Visitors" by Cinedigm, featuring an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, is a visually striking experience. This black-and-white film, although minimalistic, transitions beautifully to high definition, boasting richly defined blacks and an exquisitely modulated gray scale. The subtle changes in light and shadow, which are crucial to the film's aesthetic, are rendered impeccably, adding depth to the supposedly static shots. The film's clarity is noteworthy, despite some limitations in fine detail, particularly in the high-contrast landscapes where intentional white blooming occurs.

The precision in the visual presentation ensures that even the smallest incremental changes, such as the subtle dolly movements in various shots, are noticeable and impactful. The film's visual narrative depends heavily on these nuances, and the Blu-ray’s transfer captures them beautifully. The resultant imagery is both engrossing and thought-provoking, making "Visitors" an exemplary showcase of high-definition black-and-white cinematography.

The audio presentation of "Visitors" on Blu Ray exhibits a profound and immersive experience, perfectly complimenting the film's freeform, slow-burning visual narrative. Philip Glass' intentionally repetitive, shimmering soundscapes are particularly exquisite, manifesting through a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that exudes warmth and depth. This offering utilizes the surround channels adeptly, presenting the excellent presence of strings that envelop the listener, creating a deeply inviting atmosphere perfect for Glass' iconic musical style.

Given that "Visitors" lacks any dialogue, the audio dynamics focus solely on Glass' sweeping score, serving as a rich soundscape that acts as reference material for high-quality audio. The low-frequency extension (LFE) is judiciously employed, activating only when appropriate instruments are featured, ensuring a balanced and impactful auditory experience. The surround sound presentation remains impressive throughout, with the cascading strings providing a warm sense of envelopment that transports the viewer into the heart of the score. Enthusiasts might even opt to enjoy the film for its audio prowess alone, reveling in the full glory of this superb 5.1 lossless score.

The Blu-ray extras for "Visitors" offer a well-rounded behind-the-scenes look, although lacking a comprehensive documentary or commentary track. The DTS-HD MA 2.0 score is a pleasant surprise, enriching the auditory experience. The content includes insightful interviews with Godfrey Reggio, Philip Glass, Jon Kane, and Steven Soderbergh, each presented in full and providing unique perspectives on the film's creation. The "Making of Visitors" featurette delivers enlightening details about the film's production process. Meanwhile, the "Behind the Scenes" segment provides an expanded look into Reggio's career and the film’s intricate creation journey. Complemented by multiple seamlessly transitioning trailers, this compilation effectively deepens appreciation for the artistry behind "Visitors."

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Visitors: Interviews with key creators discussing the film.
• Behind the Scenes of Visitors: Career retrospective on Reggio and filming insights.
• Trailers: Multiple trailers that segue seamlessly.
• Godfrey Reggio: Extended interview with the director.
• Philip Glass: Extended interview with the composer.
• Jon Kane: Extended interview with the co-creator.
• Steven Soderbergh: Extended interview with the executive producer.

Godfrey Reggio’s Visitors is an arresting entry in the realm of avant-garde cinema, continuing his long-standing collaboration with composer Philip Glass. This film consists of 74 meticulously crafted shots, each averaging over two minutes. These frames capture a diverse array of subjects, from human faces to spectral landscapes, and even a contemplative gorilla. The film eschews traditional narrative for an experience where viewers are invited into a staring contest, with each gaze seaming to pierce through the screen, questioning the nature of viewer interaction. Stabilizing the ethereal visuals is Glass’s haunting music, further calling on audiences to introspect and actively engage with the film.

Visitors offers viewers non-traditional documentary content through slow-motion montages and high-contrast sequences, which also invoke memories of Ansel Adams's photography. Reggio’s direction ensures that every shot, despite its apparent stasis, is simmering with subtle movement and intricate visual interplay. Intercutting shots of buildings, waste heaps, and birds in flight contribute to a pseudo-political and aesthetic indictment on modernity and human evolution. The film was shot in 4K and benefits from 21st-century technology, rendering ultra-crisp and evocative images harmonized seamlessly with Philip Glass’s score, which was composed in parallel to the filming process.

Reggio’s slow but deliberate pacing is intensely punctuated by evocative soundscapes that drive the quasi-narrative forward. This meditative journey challenges the audience to contemplate themes of evolution—both biological and technological. However, some viewers might find the film impenetrable due to its experimental nature and absence of dialogue or overt narrative structure. Similar to minimalist music movements led by composers like Terry Riley and John Adams, Visitors exists within a bizarre amalgamation of stasis and movement. The result is a deeply immersive auditory and visual experience that transforms traditional notions of documentary filmmaking and narrative storytelling.

Visitors is a unique visual and auditory journey that may not instantly captivate like Reggio's previous work, Koyaanisqatsi, but offers a deeply introspective experience. This film diverges from traditional narrative structures, presenting a mosaic of profound imagery and Philip Glass's haunting score that invites viewers to explore the nuances of human existence and interconnectedness. The almost voyeuristic examination of faces and landscapes evokes a contemplative state, prompting viewers to reflect not just on the content but on their perception of film itself.

The Blu-ray release is technically outstanding, boasting reference-quality visuals and audio. Every detail is precisely rendered, from the intricate textures in the monochromatic palette to the intricate layers of Glass's composition. The sound design is immersive, enhancing the film's atmospheric depth. Extras included in the Blu-ray package offer a comprehensive insight into the making of this avant-garde film, proving to be both informative and aesthetically aligned with the feature.

In conclusion, Visitors doesn't have the instant hook that Koyaanisqatsi offers, and in fact it's a somewhat opaque experience. But there's definitely something subtle at work here that spawns thinking. This is another fascinating film that will probably split Reggio fans and deriders along expected lines. The Blu-ray presentation is first-rate. Recommended.