NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Universal Blu-ray (August 2023): Universal have transferred Wes Anderson's Asteroid City to Blu-ray. The aspect ratios alter from 2.39:1 in color to 1.37:1 in black and white. The image is intentionally pale and green-blue-leaning. Many Wes Anderson films have a dominant color pallet; golden yellows in Moonrise Kingdom, blues in Rushmore, reds/yellow in Bottle Rocket etc.). I didn't see the film theatrically but strongly suspect this 1080P is an accurate representation of a gorgeous, unique, and craftily realized HD image presentation.

NOTE: There is some brief nudity - a mirror reflection representing Scarlett Johansson as she drops her towel HERE, altering the rating to "PG-13; for brief graphic nudity, smoking, and some suggestive material."  

NOTE: We have added 30 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Universal use a robust DTS-HD Master 7.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original English language with optional Spanish or French DUBs. Asteroid City has effects that come through keen separation and imposing bass response. The music consists of six original songs by composer Alexandre Desplat (Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel and Moonrise Kingdom - actually Desplat's 6th collaboration with the director - plus he has composed for The Ghost Writer, The King's Speech, Unbroken, Heal The Living, Venus in Furs, Argo, Lust Caution, Army of Crime, The Tree of Life etc.) plus there are 17 country and western songs that were originally recorded and released in the mid 1950's including "Last Train to San Fernando", "Ida Red" (Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys,)  "Jingle Jangle Jingle", "Orange Blossom Special", Dimitri Tiomkin's "High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)", "Cowboy's Lament" by Burl Ives, "Rose Marie", "Indian Love Call – 1944 Version", Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons", "How High the Moon", "The Streets of Laredo", "Freight Train" etc.. Some may also recognize "Pachelbel: Canon and Gigue in D Major – I.Canon". The western music is authentically flat and really helps establish mood and location. The audio quality was very impressive. Universal offer optional English (SDH), French and Spanish subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Universal Blu-ray offers only a 7-minute EPK "Making of" featurette divided into four parts; "Desert Town", "Doomsday Carnival", "Montana and the Ranch Hands" and "The Players".

Wes Anderson admits how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired Asteroid City. You can interpret many plots points and subtleties that are easily to reference when we waited "two weeks to flatten the curve". His films are such a treat with very detailed costuming and sets, complex idiosyncratic characters, dysfunctional families, and frequently the onscreen personas keep a cold, matter-of-fact, countenance in situations that can be tragic or chaotic (Jason Schwartzman is hilarious at this.) The ensemble cast also includes Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie and many others. Anderson's offbeat style is addictive to his fans and this may be his most complex film - it may be easier to let it wash over you - drenched with gorgeous Americana, eclectic, dry humor, - clever - almost mischievous - dialogue, multiple story threads... and then watch it again - seeing more in each viewing. I LOVED Asteroid City. I wish the Universal Blu-ray had a commentary or more direct input from Anderson in the supplements. The film is a true gem. Very positively recommended!

Gary Tooze