Noah Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Noah" delivers a remarkable 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer that is a testament to high-definition home cinema quality. The video presentation captures the gritty and stark backdrops of the film with exceptional clarity and detail. These visuals are so precise that they almost rival traditional film stocks. Clothing textures, from the smallest frays to the largest stitches, and human skin details, such as lines, dirt, and sweat, stand out with startling definition. The image depth is commendable for a digitally produced film, maintaining sharpness across various focal lengths and distances. The palette is intentionally muted to reflect the film's bleak atmosphere, yet the natural greenery and flesh tones are rendered with meticulous accuracy, showing lifelike vibrancy when the scenes demand it. Blacks are deep and pure without any crushing of details or undue brightness.

The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode remains faithful to the stylistic intentions of Matthew Libatique's cinematography, predominantly featuring a downcast, grayish ambiance with occasional bursts of bold colors. These primary colors are vivid and realistic, while secondary hues add subtle warmth to the predominantly somber visual style. The contrast is well-balanced, presenting a crisp clarity that makes distant objects distinctly visible. Despite a slight room for improvement in brightness levels and shadow delineation, the overall quality of the blacks is accurate and luxurious. The hybrid use of traditional 35mm and HD digital cameras results in an incredibly detailed transfer, characterized by razor-sharp lines and discernible textures—whether in individual leaves, fabric stitching, or intricate details of the ark. Close-ups reveal lifelike facial textures, down to pores and wrinkles. Some minor moments lack sharpness but are easily overlooked given the consistent high quality of the rest of the presentation. This Blu-ray exemplifies Paramount's capability to deliver top-tier video quality for home viewing.

Noah's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack sets a benchmark for cinematic audio presentation. The musical delivery is vast and sweeping, enveloping the listeners with a richly orchestrated experience that boasts remarkable clarity and precision. The front soundstage is expansive, with superb separation between channels generating a continuous, engaging wall of sound from start to finish. The dynamic range is extensive, capturing every nuance from the whispers to the shouts with complete transparency. Dialogue remains perfectly centered and crystal clear, despite the intensity of the surrounding effects.

The low-end support throughout the film is impressively deep and palpable, delivering resonant bass that enhances the action sequences with powerful, realistic rumbling effects. Noteworthy moments, like the battle for the ark, push the bass even deeper, adding an appreciable sense of realism. The torrent of rain and crashing waves later in the picture are captured with stunning effectiveness, immersing the audience in a saturated soundscape of natural elements. Even in quieter scenes, the audio track maintains its immersion, filling the room with subtle yet detailed sounds like rustling grasses and distant winds.

Rear activity is exceptionally satisfying, with flawless panning and outstanding directionality that enhances the immersive experience. The sounds of Methuselah's cave offer subtle reverberations that add depth to the scenes. Meanwhile, during the tumultuous sequences inside the ark, the noises of animals and the creaking wood create a fully enveloping 360° soundfield. This DTS-HD Master Audio mix, with its balanced blend of atmospherics, musicality, and dialogue clarity, stands as a reference-quality example of lossless audio presentation.

The Blu-ray of "Noah" offers roughly an hour of enriching supplemental features. Included are DVD and Ultraviolet/iTunes digital copy codes for added convenience. These featurettes dive into the practical and artistic aspects of the film's production. "Iceland: Extreme Beauty" explores the advantages and challenges of filming in Iceland's striking landscapes, addressing terrain access, weather issues, and Anthony Hopkins' cave scenes. "The Ark Exterior: A Battle for 300 Cubits" focuses on location scouting, constructing a Biblically accurate ark, and shooting techniques like night-for-day scenes. "The Ark Interior: Animals Two by Two" provides insight into the set design and construction, along with the film's thematic elements and visual effects. Each featurette contains substantial behind-the-scenes footage, making them invaluable for fans and aspiring filmmakers alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Iceland: Extreme Beauty: Discusses filming benefits and challenges in Iceland.
• The Ark Exterior: A Battle for 300 Cubits: Examines ark creation and specialized filming techniques.
• The Ark Interior: Animals Two by Two: Insights into set design, construction, and thematic depiction.

Darren Aronofsky's film "Noah" draws inspiration from the Biblical story of the great flood but takes substantial artistic liberties that have stirred considerable debate. The narrative follows Noah, portrayed by Russell Crowe, as he receives ominous visions from God about an apocalyptic flood. The film introduces fantastical elements such as the 'Watchers,' fallen angels encased in stone, aiding Noah in constructing the ark. This blend of Biblical and imaginative storytelling results in a movie rich with visual splendor and thematic depth, yet some purists may find Aronofsky's reimagining controversial.

Russell Crowe delivers a compelling performance as Noah, navigating his character's emotional turmoil and moral dilemmas with a nuance that adds layers to the epic tale. The scene where Noah recounts the creation story around a fire, blending elements of evolution and humanity's historical impact on Earth, exemplifies Aronofsky's modern reinterpretation. This scene is particularly poignant, reflecting on human nature and environmentalism themes while making the ancient narrative relatable to contemporary audiences. Supporting performances by Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson further humanize the cast, portraying their struggle for survival amidst impending doom.

Technically, "Noah" shines with its grand scale and immersive visuals that capture the grandeur of the Biblical flood. The film's production design, complemented by Andrew Weisblum's editing, creates a realistic yet fantastical world that enhances the dramatic narrative. Ray Winstone's portrayal of Tubal-cain adds a complex antagonist to Noah's character, emphasizing the film's underlying conflict between man’s dominion over nature versus harmonious existence. "Noah" is a thought-provoking film that recontextualizes a cornerstone of faith into a contemporary parable, although its bold reinterpretations may not resonate with all viewers.

Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" offers a visually stunning and thought-provoking interpretation of the classic biblical story. While it may diverge significantly from the traditional narrative, delivering a version that some viewers of faith may find disconcerting, it nonetheless succeeds as a piece of modern cinema. The film combines elements of myth and epic storytelling, enveloped within Hollywood’s blockbuster allure. The strong performances by the cast elevate the script, and Aronofsky’s direction lends a unique flair to the familiar tale, making it both engaging and stimulating.

Visually, the Blu-ray release of "Noah" impresses with exceptional video quality, capturing the vast, sweeping landscapes and intricate details vividly. The audio presentation is top-notch, offering a reference-quality experience that enhances the immersive nature of the film. The format-exclusive supplements round out this release, providing additional content that enriches the viewing experience for fans and new audiences alike. While there are only three extras included, their quality compensates for their quantity, adding substantial value to the package.

In conclusion, while "Noah" may not align perfectly with traditional biblical interpretations, it remains a notable cinematic undertaking. Paramount’s Blu-ray presentation ensures a high-quality home viewing experience that is worth exploring. The film invites audiences to consider a fresh perspective on an ancient story, offering profound visual and auditory engagement. Even those wary of its deviations might find merit in giving it a chance, enhancing their appreciation for Aronofsky's creative vision.