Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1957 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1957 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1557 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1557 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

English (SDH), none

• Audio commentary by writer/director Rian Johnson, actors Nora Zehetner and Noah Segan, producer Ram Bergman, production designer Jodie Tillen and costume designer Michele Posch
• 8 deleted and extended scenes (w/ introduction by writer/director Rian Johnson) (22:33)
• The Inside Track: Casting the Roles of Laura and Dode (3:12)
• Trailer (2:31)

Bitrates:

 

Description: A detective story set around a California high school, BRICK dares to combine the teen and film noir genres. In mixing these two disparate worlds, Director Rian Johnson creates many comically jarring and ironic moments. When loner Brendan Frye (a barely recognizable Joseph Gordon-Levitt of THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN) gets a desperate-sounding call from his ex-love Emily (Emilie de Ravin), he feels compelled to help her, plunging himself into the seedy world of teenage crime that pulled her away from him in the first place. Throughout this journey, Brendan plays a hard-boiled type reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart's iconic Sam Spade character. Johnson's script invests heavily in the fiction of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, and is filled with other archetypical characters like the femme fatale (Nora Zehetner), the eccentric crime lord (a brilliant Lukas Haas), and the dame in distress. As teens trade in their cell phones for things as old-fashioned as pay phones and 1940s gangster vocabulary, occasional references to detention and first period provide a humorous contrast with the otherwise unbelievably complex, precocious, and largely parentless world that these teens inhabit. With its heavy reliance on references to old noir classics like THE MALTESE FALCON and THE BIG SLEEP, the film may risk alienating viewers not familiar with these older films. Seeing teenagers speaking in coded detective-movie-style lingo is entertaining, but mixed with the often overlapping, fast-paced but muttered dialogue, it also proves to be distracting at points. People eager to see a predictable teen drama may be confused by BRICK, as its goal is to turn the genre on its head, earning inevitable comparisons to films like 2001's surreal teen fantasy DONNIE DARKO. Because of the film's attention to detail and witty yet hard-to-follow dialogue, BRICK may be better appreciated on second viewing.

 

 

The Film:

You will forgive me for reaching back 35 years for a quotation to open this review of "Brick," since the movie itself is inspired by hard-boiled crime novels written by Dashiell Hammett between 1929 and 1934. What is unexpected, and daring, is that "Brick" transposes the attitudes and dialogue of classic detective fiction to a modern Southern California high school. These are contemporary characters who say things like, "I got all five senses and I slept last night. That puts me six up on the lot of you." Or, "Act smarter than you look, and drop it."

 

What is the audience for this movie? It is carrying on in its own lifetime a style of film that was dead before it was born. Are teenage moviegoers familiar with movies like "The Maltese Falcon"? Do they know who Humphrey Bogart was? Maybe it doesn't matter. They're generally familiar with b&w classics on cable, and will understand the strategy: The students inhabit personal styles from an earlier time.

Excerpt from Roger Ebert at the Chicago Sun-Times located HERE

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

This transfer is interlaced (1080i) and is running at 25 fps. I don't think this exports a dramatic weakness in the final visual presentation. The film itself shows Indie grit and a less-polished edge. It was probably never meant to look glossy and pristine. Suitable to the tone of Brick the transfer exports a darker image and colors never leap off the screen. This Blu-ray looks superior to DVD but probably isn't a prime example to showcase the format. Detail is never crisp but some outdoor scenes look the most impressive with hint a of depth. This is single-layered with a modest bitrate and I don't think it's a candidate for re-purchase if you already own the DVD. This is despite the fact that it's the best looking digital appearance of the film - although I suppose it may surface in Region "A" one day - done with more care in regards to to the video transfer.

The Alliance transfer is superior - not simply a marginally higher bitrate/file size but it is progressive (NOT interlaced) and in the, un-bastardized, 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Visually it is slightly brighter but the color scheme is supported but has cooler skin tones and detail is the same. Like the Optimum there is still some noise. The Alliance also runs in the correct theatrical running speed (approx. 24 frames per second).

Finally someone has done 'Brick' to Blu-ray with the rendering the film deserves! Kino Lorber's transfer is via a "Brand New 4K Restoration Supervised by Director Rian Johnson." You can see how superior the image is in our matched captures below. The visuals are darker with far richer colors and contrast. There is a blue leaning but I never found it intrusive. It is housed on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and every facet of the 1080P presentation improves from detail to grain support. I love this Neo-Noir and am thrilled with the new 4K-restored HD video!

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 Subtitle Sample - Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Optimum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

More Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Captures

(CLICK to ENLARGE)

 

 

 

The DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 1648 kbps has some kick but I also suspect a more dynamic mix could have brought some further presence to the track. I actually tested the LPCM 2.0 channel option and liked it enough to stick with it a while. The violence can pack a surprising wallop and while the track gives some oomph - I can't help confess the feeling that it is as lackluster as the image. There are no optional subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'B'-locked.

Significant upgrade in the audio with a powerhouse DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 4018 kbps. It is crisp and has some formidable depth. The Alliance also offers a French DUB. Another area where the region 'A' disc surpasses. It also does not offer subtitles.

The audio is also impressive with the optional of 2.0 stereo or 5.1 surround via DTS-HD Master tracks. The score, credit to Nathan Johnson, and the other music; The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze from "The Mikado", Frankie & Johnny performed by Bunny Berigan, Brain Hammer performed by The Hospital Bombers Experience, Sister Ray by The Velvet Underground is eclectic and fitting for the most part but the effects are exported with strength. Kino add optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray disc.       

 

 

 Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I had a soft spot for Brick the first time I saw it in 2006. It's very cool in it's own unique way. Unfortunately, this Blu-ray isn't up to the task with a weak single-layered, interlaced transfer, no subtitles and not a single extra. We like the film quite a lot, and this is the best I've seen it look but we still must give this a pass.

Still an enjoyable film experience and nice to have it with its superior presentation attributes. 

Brick gets better each time I see it, and this Kino Blu-ray is, by far, the best way to enjoy this unique and addictive film experience. Great a/v, commentary and more - this has our highest recommendation!

Gary Tooze

August 17th, 2009

September 14th, 2012

December 19th, 2019