Paradise Blu-ray Review

The 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation of "Paradise," shot with the Arri Alexa under the expert guidance of cinematographer Tim Suhrstedt, is a visual treat. The disc delivers a clean, noiseless, and detailed image that retains a film-like quality devoid of digital harshness. Colors are exceptional, transitioning seamlessly between the earth-toned palette of Montana (Louisiana) and the vibrant, ever-changing lights of Las Vegas. Black levels are profound with excellent shadow detail, ensuring dark club scenes remain clear and visible. Despite being on a BD-25, the average bitrate of 20.99 Mbps accommodates the 87-minute film without compromising on quality or introducing artifacts.

Presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with an AVC/MPEG-4 transfer, the video is bright, colorful, and highly detailed, making it an impressive viewing experience. The source is clean with no significant noise or artifacting detected, though some marginal banding is present during a few fades. The imagery features great detail and pleasing dimension, particularly evident in striking opening shots and sequences involving sparkling ocean scenes and intricate wardrobe selections such as a red sequins dress. The high contrast ensures whites are bright without overexposure, and black levels remain deep with excellent shadow delineation. Overall, "Paradise" on Blu-ray showcases strong detail, dimension, and vibrant pop, making it a near-flawless visual presentation.

"Paradise" features an unusually aggressive and immersive 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack that immediately stands out. The introduction, where cotton candy burns away to reveal Lamb Mannerheim, sets the tone for a dynamic sonic experience. The Vegas scenes are especially noteworthy, filled with club and casino noises, aggressive music, and deep bass notes. The score by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman adds a comic counterpoint to the bustling Vegas atmosphere. The dialogue is always clear and well-balanced, ensuring that the audience catches all the movie's witty lines and cultural references.

The mix is spacious and enveloping without becoming overly gimmicky, providing a natural immersion into the film’s setting. The cheery music spreads well across the channels, offering strong range and separation that bolster the movie's tone. Effects work is meticulously crafted, with smooth surround use creating a convincing Vegas soundscape, complete with slot machines and rowdy clubs accompanied by substantial bass activity. Environmental sounds such as planes and passing cars shift organically across the soundstage, adding to the realistic ambiance. For a modest comedy, this mix achieves a perfect balance, enriching the viewing experience without overwhelming it. Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles further enhance accessibility.

The Blu-ray extras for "Paradise" offer a fairly comprehensive behind-the-scenes glimpse, though each element varies in depth and engagement. The Commentary with Writer/Director Diablo Cody is an insightful albeit occasionally silent affair, where Cody shares the script's background, casting decisions, and directorial challenges. The Behind the Scenes segments, available in 1080p with DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound, feature interviews with key cast members and Cody herself discussing the film's themes and characters, though these interviews tend to lack captivating revelations. Additionally, the package includes the film’s Theatrical Trailer in a high-definition format with rich audio.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Writer/Director Diablo Cody: Offers production insights and directorial challenges.
• Behind the Scenes With: Interviews with key cast and crew discussing the film's thematic elements.
• Theatrical Trailer: The film’s promotional trailer in HD quality.

Diablo Cody's directorial debut, "Paradise," explores heavy themes of faith, trauma, and self-discovery through the eyes of a disillusioned young woman. Lamb Mannerheim (Julianne Hough) survives a plane crash that leaves her with severe burns and a deep crisis of faith. Rejecting her fundamentalist upbringing, Lamb sets off to find herself in the dazzling, morally flexible landscape of Las Vegas. She is guided by a cynical lounge singer (Octavia Spencer) and a restrained bartender (Russell Brand), who introduce her to both the highs and lows of Sin City. While Cody sets up a provocative premise, the film quickly shifts from potential controversy to a sweeter, more simplistic exploration of its themes.

Despite some initial edge, "Paradise" struggles with balancing its darker elements with its lighter, more whimsical moments. Lamb's grotesque injuries and ongoing medical challenges, including a reliance on pain pills that make her alcohol consumption hazardous, often overshadow the narrative. This intrusion turns some scenes into a distraction rather than a seamless part of the story. Cody's hallmark sharp dialogue and quirky humor appear intermittently but are overshadowed by an otherwise generic and underdeveloped plot.

The performances help elevate the material somewhat. Julianne Hough adeptly captures Lamb's innocent naiveté and pent-up frustration, while Octavia Spencer and Russell Brand provide solid support in their roles. Nick Offerman briefly shines in a nearly unrecognizable cameo as Lamb's conservative father. However, even strong performances can't fully compensate for a film that lacks Cody's usual bite and wit. "Paradise" is peppered with moments of humor and emotion but ultimately feels diluted, making it unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

Diablo Cody’s directorial debut, "Paradise," initially promises the edgy subversiveness for which Cody is known, with sharp satirical jabs at religious belief systems. However, as the film progresses, it devolves into a rather conventional and sugary narrative that sacrifices its provocative start for a more pedestrian sweetness. The Blu-ray release of "Paradise" redeems itself with an excellent video transfer, boasting a bright and colorful picture that is visually pleasing. The audio mix is equally commendable, providing a well-produced and immersive experience that complements the visual quality.

The Blu-ray supplements, while not groundbreaking, offer some insightful moments throughout the interviews and commentary, providing fans and viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at Cody's creative process. Although these features don't add significant value, they do contribute to a better understanding of the film's development. The cast delivers likeable performances and manages to infuse Cody's humor into their roles, making the film bearable despite its lack of depth.

After the success of Juno, Cody was criticized and parodied for that film's distinctive idiom, which reflected the attitude of its young protagonist. But the language was just packaging. Cody's subsequent work has demonstrated stylistic flexibility as she has explored different settings and other types of protagonists. "Paradise" suggests, however, that she may need the additional, contrary perspective of an independent director (or of directing someone else's script) to ensure that every aspect of her vision is thoroughly tested and expressed—and also to eliminate the things that don't work and distract from the real themes. Cody is a major talent, and people like Octavia Spencer's Loray (who reveals herself as a film school student) will someday write papers about her. They will be the ones to watch "Paradise." Everyone else should pass.