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

If there were ever a case to be made for digital filmmaking, this is it. Well Go USA brings what many consider (myself included) to be the best film of 2018 to Blu-ray on a dual-layered disc. The HD 2.40:1 image is maintained by a fully maxed out bitrate. The level of acutely fine detail achieved by the digital camera, and transferred to this Blu-ray, is nothing short of breathtaking. Colors are so lifelike that it is hard to imagine capturing the same look with traditional 35mm film. The real star of the show, image-wise, is the wide ranging amount of blacks on display. Certain early-morning shots look appropriately blue and hazy, while nighttime shots show multi-layered shadows without having a uniform-black. Stunning, just stunning. Arguably the best film of recent memory gets a 1080P transfer worthy of said praise.

"Burning" gets two audio options. We can either opt to watch the film in 16-bit Korean 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio, or stereo. The 5.1 track has a subtle edge over the stereo, filling the surround channels with atmospheric farm or city sounds and the creepy score from composer, Mowg (I Saw the Devil). Though normally I would decry the lack of a 24-bit track, with this direct digital transfer, it is hard to complain, as this sounds just fine to my ears. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray.

Aside from three trailers for other Well Go USA films (Shadow, The Endless, and Swing Kids) the sole feature is a sadly all-too brief 2.5-minute exploration of the main actors, "Burning: 140 Days of Passionate Performance"). The film's theatrical trailer and teaser are also on the Blu-ray. There is a second disc DVD included.

Lee Chang-dong's adaptation of Haruki Murakami's short story "Barn Burning" (itself a take on a Faulkner short story) is fascinating in the ways it achieves that story's simple and dark mood. This transfer, albeit light on extras, is rather impeccable. Filmmaking is alive and well, and perhaps digital is the way to go, considering that the 2 finest films of recent memory are this and Lucrecia Martel's "Zama". This comes with my highest recommendation. Essential viewing for all Blu-ray librarians and world cinephiles.

Colin Zavitz