More Than Honey Blu-ray Review

"More Than Honey" is presented on Blu-ray with a 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer, showcasing its remarkable macro-photography with striking clarity. The high-definition image excels at rendering the bees—the primary subjects of the film—in extraordinary detail. Each tiny hair and facet on their bodies is vividly captured, providing an intimate and mesmerizing view. This level of detail, combined with high contrast levels, ensures that the bees and their environment are presented with impeccable clarity; dark backgrounds highlight bright foreground elements beautifully. However, some compression issues, such as visible noise and banding in areas with fine color gradients, particularly in skyward angles, slightly detract from the overall presentation.

The human-centric footage in "More Than Honey" maintains reasonable clarity but occasionally suffers from a softer image, especially in wider shots. While close-ups preserve high levels of detail and texture, these detailed views contrast with the somewhat diminished sharpness and lost texture found in broader shots. This variation indicates that some segments were shot using cameras of different quality. Close-up hive footage typically uses the high-end Red One camera, offering rich details and vibrant colors, whereas footage shot in the field might have utilized lesser digital cameras. Despite these inconsistencies, the documentary remains visually captivating, drawing viewers back to marvel at both the intricate visuals and the impressive achievement of its cinematography team.

Kino-Lorber presents the audio in "More Than Honey" with two distinct options: the original German-language narration by Robert Hunger-Bühler and an English voiceover by John Hurt. Both tracks are offered in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The sound design excels, enabling bees to buzz and swarm from all directions, fully engaging the rear channels. Narration and interview material are consistently clear and balanced, enhancing the documentary's immersive experience. For clarity, two separate English subtitle tracks are provided to match either the German or English narration.

The German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is robust, delivering voice-over, dialogue, and ambient sounds with equal prominence. Dialogue is crisp and centrally prioritized, seamlessly blending with ambient noises, sound effects, and the musical score. Conversely, the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix presents a minor balancing issue; Hurt's voiceover tends to be softer and is sometimes overshadowed by other elements such as sound effects and score. While John Hurt’s delivery adds a unique dimension to the film, the balance discrepancy slightly detracts from the overall mix quality.

Overall, while both audio options exhibit excellent sound design with dynamic use of surround channels, users might find the German narration slightly superior in balance and clarity. The overall audio experience remains compelling, making "More Than Honey" a noteworthy technical achievement on Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray extras for "More Than Honey" offer a wealth of engaging content that brilliantly extends the documentary's exploration into the world of bees. The Markus Imhoof Interview dives deep into the director's personal connection with bees, his motivation for creating the film, and the meticulous editing process, refining 500 hours of footage into a cohesive narrative. The series of Deleted Scenes provide additional context, exploring topics like artificial hives, pesticide impact, and the misunderstood 'killer bees’. Additionally, behind-the-scenes features such as Flight Into the Beehive and In the Mountain Cave reveal the technical prowess behind the film's stunning macro photography. The disc also includes dual-language trailers and a comprehensive image gallery showcasing various film locations.

Extras included in this disc:

• Markus Imhoof Interview: Insight into the director's journey and editing process.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional footage expanding on key themes.
• Flight Into the Beehive: Behind-the-scenes on macro photography techniques.
• In the Mountain Cave: Filming experiences in New Mexico.
• Trailers: German and English versions.
• Image Gallery: A visual tour of film locations.

"More Than Honey" provides a profound exploration into the indispensable role of honeybees in our ecosystem and the alarming phenomenon of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Directed by Markus Imhoof, who brings a deeply personal touch given his familial ties to beekeeping, the documentary travels globally—from Switzerland to the United States and China—to investigate the complexities behind the mass die-offs of bees. The narrative reveals that there is no single culprit, but rather a confluence of factors such as pesticides, mites, antibiotics, and stress—all exacerbated by human intervention. This multifaceted issue is elucidated through compelling anecdotes, such as the plight of Fred Jaggi, an old-school Swiss beekeeper, and John Miller, a commercial beekeeper in California facing his own challenges with CCD.

The documentary is not only an exposé on bee mortality but also an invigorating visual experience. Imhoof employs cutting-edge macro photography, capturing life within the hives in stunning slow-motion that brings an unprecedented level of detail—akin to looking at life on another planet. The film balances its alarming statistics and potential implications on agriculture with a deep appreciation for the bees' elaborate behaviors, including their neural decision-making and complex communication methods. The juxtaposition of small-scale beekeeping with industrial operations provides a comprehensive view of how these insects are integral yet imperiled across different cultures and economic systems. Imhoof's personal narration, available in both original German and English by John Hurt, enhances the film's intimate yet global outlook.

Imhoof's success lies in his ability to present an array of scientific insights while making the discussion accessible and engaging. "More Than Honey" is as educational as it is visually mesmerizing, ensuring that audiences are left both enlightened and concerned. The distressing depictions of disease and parasites affecting bee colonies evoke a visceral response, reminiscent of horror films. Yet, despite the sobering realities presented, the documentary maintains a sense of awe for its subjects and encourages viewers to rethink their relationship with these crucial pollinators.

"More Than Honey," directed by Markus Imhoof, is an engrossing documentary that delves into the intricacies of the honey bee and the alarming phenomenon of colony collapse disorder. The Blu-ray release from Kino-Lorber is a visual treat, expertly capturing the beauty of bees through stunning cinematography. The film strikes a balance between educational content and visual artistry, though it leans slightly more towards information dissemination rather than being profoundly poetic. The narration is thoughtful and helps to maintain an engaging flow, despite some unevenness in the English language voice-over.

Technically, the Blu-ray provides an excellent audiovisual experience with clear and sharp imagery that lends itself well to the subject matter's innate fascination. The sound quality is robust, although there are moments where the audio could be more consistently balanced. The disc features several worthwhile supplements, including an exclusive interview with Imhoof, which adds depth to the documentary’s context but may not feel groundbreaking to all viewers.

In conclusion, "More Than Honey" feels akin to a film Werner Herzog might create if he were captivated by bees. It's beautifully shot and keenly narrated, importantly bringing to light crucial environmental concerns like stress and pesticides affecting bee populations worldwide. The Blu-ray release offers high-quality visuals and sound, paired with insightful extras. Highly recommended for those interested in a compelling, visually striking introduction to the world of bees.