Byzantium Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Byzantium" comes with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, and while it manages to maintain a satisfactory visual quality from a standard viewing distance, issues become apparent under closer scrutiny. The film, shot digitally using the Arri Alexa camera, presents considerable source noise in both low-light and brighter scenes. This issue is attributed to probable compression in the encoding. The outdoor night sequences, particularly the one set in the deserted carnival, suffer from harshly crushed shadow details and banded colors. Despite the noise affecting clarity in certain portions, the picture remains sharp and detailed in others. The overall variability in the visual presentation won't be overtly noticeable unless viewed on an exceptionally large screen.

The decision by IFC to place the film on a BD-25 disc adversely impacts its 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encoding. The opening credits feature prominent banding during intentionally blurred sequences, raising concerns about visual consistency. Thankfully, these issues are mostly confined to this segment, with only minor banding occurring elsewhere. The film's color palette alternates between plain hues and occasional bursts of wild reds, blues, and yellows, used effectively to evoke different moods and tones across scenes. However, some locations blow out colors due to oversaturation, impacting texture details and turning objects into blobs. Black levels frequently suffer from crushing, with many scenes appearing gray rather than deep black, particularly noticeable in the film's numerous evening or dark settings.

Despite these shortcomings, the Blu-ray does deliver instances of fine detail which showcase its potential. Facial textures, vibrant eye details of Saoirse Ronan, intensely red blood spurts, and clothing fibers are depicted with impressive clarity in close-ups. While these fine details highlight the capabilities of the format, they are often overshadowed by the aforementioned technical defects that detract from the overall visual experience.

Byzantium's audio presentation on Blu-ray sets a high bar with its lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound track, delivering an immersive and dynamic listening experience. The 5.1 mix exhibits excellent balance and clarity throughout various scenes, such as the screeching and flapping of bats in a cave or the gentle lapping waves and tweeting birds along the shoreline. This is complemented by a robust subwoofer that accentuates tense moments, while high-end sounds remain sharp and distinct. The haunting score by Javier Navarrete perfectly juxtaposes Clara's frantic techno beats with Eleanor's softer piano and string themes, each style resonating clearly without overshadowing the dialogue.

The track effectively harnesses ambient sounds to bring different environments to life. Whether it's the chaotic noise of a carnival, street sounds, or the mesmerizing rush of wind and flapping wings from circling birds, the audio design makes these scenes feel palpably real. Notably, sequences involving fire engulf an entire room with the crackling and popping of flames, enhancing the on-screen visuals. Dialogue remains consistently clear and well-integrated with the surrounding effects, ensuring that every spoken word, even in whispered exchanges, is easily discernible. Additionally, the Blu-ray includes an uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0 stereo mixdown, along with English SDH and Spanish subtitles for accessibility.

Byzantium’s audio delivery adeptly balances complex layers of sound, from vibrant action scenes bursting with life to quieter moments filled with ambient subtlety. The precision of the sound design elevates the viewer's experience, making the film not just a visual but also an auditory masterpiece. The inclusion of both 5.1 and 2.0 lossless mixes exemplifies the disc’s commitment to audio excellence.

The Blu-ray of "Byzantium" features a comprehensive array of extras, meticulously compiled for aficionados of the film’s intricate production. The extensive interviews segment lasts 1 hour and 16 minutes and offers valuable insights from key figures such as director Neil Jordan, stars Gemma Arterton, Saoirse Ronan, Sam Riley, and Caleb Landry Jones, among others. Viewers should be aware that the interviews use on-screen title cards for questions, which can interrupt the flow of the experience as the interviewees are often silent while the cards remain on-screen. Additionally, the high-definition trailer, lasting just over two minutes, captures the atmospheric essence of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interviews: An extensive series of 12 interviews with cast and crew, presented individually or in a 'play all' option.
• Trailer: The official trailer in high definition, offering a compelling preview of the film’s themes and mood.

Neil Jordan's "Byzantium" breathes new life into the vampire genre with its visually captivating and emotionally profound storytelling. The film's cinematography, handled deftly by Sean Bobbitt, creates a striking atmosphere that pairs well with Jordan's return to the genre, following his success with "Interview with the Vampire." Shot on a modest budget, "Byzantium" trades the high-profile cast of Jordan's earlier work for a more intimate yet equally powerful ensemble led by Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton. The movie eschews traditional vampire tropes, embracing a feminist undercurrent and ancient Celtic paganism, presenting vampires who subsist on their sharp thumb talon instead of fangs, defying sunlight aversion.

The narrative's core is a meaningful exploration of the bond between Eleanor (Ronan) and Clara (Arterton), who have evaded the male-dominated vampire brotherhood for centuries. Eleanor's moral struggle, feeding on those near death, contrasts sharply with Clara's unapologetic survival tactics, including her manipulative use of sexuality. Their dynamic underscores themes of motherhood, betrayal, and cursed immortality. The plot skillfully shifts between past and present, gradually revealing the duo's origins involving soldiers, a desolate Irish island, and a mysterious method to achieve eternal life.

While not devoid of gore and thrills—complete with several blood-soaked scenes—"Byzantium" ultimately focuses on character development and atmospheric tension. The film's moody pace occasionally accelerates towards the end but is predominantly a meditative piece reflecting on timeless loneliness and fractured relationships within its horror framework. Ronan and Arterton deliver formidable performances that anchor the film’s emotional depth, ensuring "Byzantium" distinguishes itself amidst an oversaturated market of vampire narratives, offering a refreshing stand against genre fatigue induced by lesser adaptations.

Neil Jordan's "Byzantium" offers a refreshing take on the vampire genre, standing out amidst a spate of recent underwhelming attempts. With its intricate storyline spanning 200 years, the film merges stark violence with the somber reflection of immortality. Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan deliver compelling performances as the 200-year-old vampire mother-daughter duo, successfully creating characters with depth and nuance. Their interaction forms the emotional core of the film, enriching its somber and poetic narrative.

However, the Blu-ray release from IFC has some notable limitations. The picture quality is compromised by slight compression artifacts, which can detract from the overall visual experience. Despite this, the lossless audio track offers an engaging and immersive soundscape, effectively supporting the film's atmospheric tension. The additional content on the Blu-ray is rather limited, consisting mainly of somewhat lackluster extended interviews, pieced together without much cohesion.

In conclusion, "Byzantium" stands out as a worthwhile watch, particularly for fans of Neil Jordan's earlier work and those looking for a vampire story with more substance than recent offerings. While the Blu-ray release is not without its technical flaws, the film's merits make it a strong contender for a spot in any genre enthusiast's collection. Despite its compressed picture quality and minimal special features, "Byzantium" compensates with its powerful performances and compelling narrative.