Milk Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Milk" in its widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio with VC-1 1080p encoding graces the screen with an intentionally muted, grainy, and slightly oversaturated palette intended to transport the audience back to the 1970s. This deliberate stylistic choice by director Gus Van Sant underscores the film's historical context, achieving an authentic vintage feel reminiscent of the era. However, this fidelity to the '70s aesthetic comes at the expense of some technical aspects of the video quality. The color balance leans towards red, adding an orange hue to certain scenes, which, while aligning with the movie's tone, somewhat limits the visual presentation's versatility. Bright outdoor scenes buck this trend somewhat, showcasing impressive definition and reduced grain visibility that distract from image softness in darker sequences. Detail in these brighter scenes is notable, with textures and patterns in clothing and environment meticulously rendered, enhancing the film's visual narrative.

Facial close-ups particularly stand out, with fine details like wrinkles and skin texture captured with clarity, though the transfer does not consistently offer significant depth or three-dimensionality across the board. The contrast ratio is solid, bolstering black levels that enrich the color palette used throughout. However, darker scenes suffer from visible grain that can detract from detail and clarity, notably in sections of the film relying on archival footage, where grain and print damage are more pronounced and intentionally used to add authenticity but result in a mixed visual experience.

While "Milk" may not be reference material for home theater aficionados seeking a showcase of Blu-ray's potential for immaculate image quality, its presentation remains true to the source material and directorial intent. It embodies a well-executed filmic quality reproducing a washed-out and vintage aesthetic with accuracy. Despite some inconsistency due to the integration of diverse visual elements like stock footage, and a generally flat contrast in mid-range scenes leading to a dampened depth perception, the Blu-ray accomplishes a competent rendition of its visual goals. Accurate flesh tones and careful attention to detail in higher visibility scenes round out a serviceable, if not spectacular, video quality that faithfully conveys the movie's thematic and historical essence.

The audio presentation of "Milk" on Blu Ray, encoded with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, delivers a competent though not particularly expansive aural experience. The mix shines brightest when handling the clear and articulate dialogue, with Harvey Milk's speeches rendered with exceptional clarity, holding the center stage of this predominantly dialogue-driven film. Ambient effects, such as the echo in Harvey's Castro residence and the bustling crowd sounds during rallies, are subtly articulated, creating a sense of space and environment that enhances the viewing experience. However, those expecting a dynamic range of surround sound activities might find the presentation a bit front-loaded, save for selected scenes that utilize the rear channels to immerse the viewer in the cacophony of voices and background noise inherent to the film's many public gatherings.

The score, crafted by Danny Elfman, strays from his typical sonic palette to offer an upbeat and carefree accompaniment to the onscreen narrative, adding depth to the film's emotional landscape. Elfman's work here is both uncharacteristic and fitting, moving from airy interludes to more somber orchestral tones that echo the film's varied mood swings. Sounds from the era, including tracks like “Everyday People” by Sly and the Family Stone, punctuate the film with period accuracy but are fleeting. Despite Elfman's adept composition and the occasional swell of crowd chants and thematic music that briefly envelops the listener, the score predominantly complements rather than overtakes, carefully balanced within the mix to support without dominating.

In sum, while the audio track of "Milk" may not exploit the full potential of its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 setup due to the limitations of the source material, it is a well-crafted presentation that services the film effectively. Dialogue is king in this audio mix, carried forth with clarity and precision, while environmental sounds and music are woven in with a light touch that respects the narrative’s lead. Universal's handling of the audio respects the integrity of the theatrical experience, aiming to highlight performances and emotional beats without unnecessary aural embellishments.

The Blu-ray extras for "Milk" offer a glimpse into the film's production, Harvey Milk's life, and the historical accuracy of the protest scenes depicted in the movie. Unfortunately, the collection feels somewhat incomplete, lacking more comprehensive materials such as commentaries from key contributors like Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn. Highlights include high-definition featurettes like "Hollywood Comes to San Francisco," providing insights into the film's making, "Remembering Harvey," which pays tribute to Milk's legacy with interviews from those who knew him personally, and "Marching for Equality," illustrating the dedication to accurately representing historical protests. Additionally, while the inclusion of BD Live teases the potential for future expansions, the immediate offerings are slim. Features such as My Scenes and PlayStation 3 menu control compatibility are nice touches but don't compensate for the overall scantiness of the extras package, reflecting a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the significant topics the film addresses.

Extras included in this disc:

• Hollywood Comes to San Francisco: A behind-the-scenes look at filming locations and production challenges.
• Remember Harvey: Interviews with Harvey Milk's contemporaries on his life and legacy.
• Marching for Equality: Insights into recreating the historical marches depicted in the film.

"Milk," directed by Gus Van Sant, emerges as a seminal work in the biographical drama genre, distinctly chronicling Harvey Milk’s transformative journey from a marginalized individual to a pioneering gay rights activist and politician. This film stands out for its meticulous recreation of 1970s San Francisco, enriched with authentic newsreel footage and periodicals that lend an immersive realism. The narrative, intricately woven around Milk’s reflective monologues, spans a crucial six years, portraying Sean Penn’s role with an unrivaled depth that has rightly earned him an Academy Award.

At its core, "Milk" is a resonant exploration of Harvey Milk's evolution, effectively moving from his initial anonymity to becoming the first openly gay elected official in California. The storyline adeptly navigates through Milk’s political aspirations, intimate relationships, and groundbreaking activism against the backdrop of significant social upheaval. The film’s brilliance is further amplified by its cast, with performances by James Franco, Josh Brolin, and a compelling ensemble that elevate the narrative beyond a mere biopic to a poignant, multifaceted portrayal of a crusade for equal rights. The dynamic between Penn and Brolin is particularly noteworthy, providing insight into their complex characters’ relationship and the eventual tragedy that befalls Milk.

The integration of vintage footage with Van Sant’s direction achieves a cohesive narrative that both educates and emotionalizes, without succumbing to overdramatization. The script, awarded an Oscar for its effectiveness, skilfully balances the political and personal spheres of Milk's life, offering a glimpse into the seismic shift in public perception towards gay rights spearheaded by Milk's efforts. Despite moments of sentimentality, "Milk" commendably remains an artistic triumph that not only pays homage to Harvey Milk's legacy but also presents a vital chapter of American history with honesty and artistic integrity.

The Blu-ray release of "Milk," a film chronicling the impactful yet tragically short political career of Harvey Milk, stands as a commendable effort, though not without its shortcomings. The audio and video quality of the release are described as "serviceable," offering a viewing experience that, while lacking the awe-inspiring clarity and depth of more extravagant high-definition releases, still manages to occasionally impress with its fidelity to the source material’s essence. However, the release is hampered by an extras package that could only be charitably described as sparse. With only three brief featurettes and notable absences including both director Gus Van Sant and lead actor Sean Penn, the supplemental materials leave much to be desired. This is compounded by the glaring omission of a commentary track, which would have provided invaluable insights into the film’s production and its subject matter.

Despite these deficiencies in supplementary content, "Milk" itself emerges as a compelling narrative, beautifully capturing the spirit of Harvey Milk’s life and work. Gus Van Sant’s direction is lauded for bringing accessibility to a story of great social importance, engaging audiences regardless of their prior knowledge of Milk’s legacy. This is further supported by the Blu-ray's proficient handling of audio and visual elements, ensuring that the film is presented with respect to its significance. However, the consensus among reviewers highlights a feeling of missed opportunity given the lack of in-depth behind-the-scenes content.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray presentation of "Milk" effectively showcases the film’s powerful storytelling and stellar performances, it falls short of being the definitive home release fans might have hoped for. The main feature stands as a poignant, must-see portrayal of Harvey Milk's influence on politics and society, but the overall package is marred by underwhelming extras and a palpable absence of key contributors. It remains a worthwhile addition to any collection for the importance of its subject matter and quality of its main feature; however, one can’t help but hope for a more comprehensive future release that fully honors Milk's remarkable legacy.