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Fish Tank [Blu-ray]
(Andrea Arnold,
2009)
Review by Brian Montgomery
Studio:
Theatrical: ContentFilm
Blu-ray: Artificial Eye (Spine # 011)
Disc:
Region: FREE
(as verified by the
Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)
Runtime: 2:02:37.975
Disc Size: 40,012,390,274 bytes
Feature Size: 31,824,650,688 bytes
Video Bitrate: 28.10 Mbps
Chapters: 12
Case: Standard Blu-ray case
Release date: March 22nd, 2010
Video:
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio English 3014 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3014
kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps /
24-bit
Subtitles:
None
Extras:
• Andrea Arnold's Oscar winning short film
'WASP' starring Natalie Press & Danny Dyer
(24:11)
• Theatrical Trailer
• Photo Gallery
Posters
The Film:
Mia, the 15-year-old protagonist of “Fish
Tank,” Andrea Arnold’s tough and brilliant
second feature, moves with such speed and
fury that she seems to be trying to flee not
only from her bleak surroundings but also
from the movie itself. The narrow, nearly
square frame boxes Mia in, and Ms. Arnold’s
on-the-run hand-held tracking shots increase
the sense of panicky claustrophobia. Living
in a cramped apartment in a British housing
project that stands like a cluster of
megaliths in the middle of nowhere, Mia is
at once trapped and adrift, unable to
contain or to express the feelings seething
beneath the blank, sullen mien she usually
presents to the world.
Excerpt of review from A. O. Scott located
HERE
Image:
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
While the image can occasionally look ever
so slightly soft, this is by no means a
common occurrence. Instead, the MPEG-4 AV
1080p transfer is generally excellent with
very clear, sharp, and well defined images;
on par with some of the best recent films. I
suspect that the rare image that isn't
crystal clear is the result of choices made
by the director rather than anything done by
the production company. The film sports
wonderful cinematography and a lush and rich
color scheme, both of which shine in this
generally excellent transfer. There were no
visible defect or artefacting and really
nothing worth complaining about. Overall,
it's a truly wonderful image transfer.
NOTE: The Criterion
Blu-ray is reviewed
HERE.
Artificial Eye - Region FREE
Blu-ray TOP
vs. Criterion - (reviewed
HERE) - Region 'A' -
Blu-ray BOTTOM
Audio & Music:
The audio is likewise impeccable. Much like
a number of their other recent releases,
Artificial Eye gives the viewer the choice
between a LPCM 2.0 track and a DTS-HD Master
Audio 5.1 mix. Like always, both sound good,
but the latter blows the LCPM out of the
water in terms of balance and sheer
strength. The movie has a very pop-hip hop
heavy soundtrack as it's what Mia is always
dancing to. On the 5.1 mix, the songs take
on a life of their own and work as the
perfect compliment to the images on the
screen. Moreover, neither track had
detectable imperfections like background
noise or signs of manipulation. The only
downside to the audio is that the film does
not come with subtitles. For someone who,
like me, can find themselves lost in the
thickest of British accents, an English
subtitle track would have been most
welcomed. The disc is Region FREE!
Extras:
Let's begin the look at the special features
on this disc by noting the extensive number
of extras found within. There are trailers
here for all of AE's other
Blu-rays
(with the
exception of "Antichrist"), "Fish Tank", and
director Andrea Arnold's previous film "Red
Road". Additionally, the disc comes with a
series of photos taken on the set. Finally,
there's Arnold's Oscar winning short,
"Wasp", which deals with some of the same
themes of parental irresponsibility,
poverty, and latch key children that also
appear in the main feature. The short is
very good, but the CGI wasp has to be seen
to be believed (I know, she probably got the
best that a limited budget could buy,
but...).
Bottom line:
I've been very eager to see this movie ever
since I first heard of it, and I wasn't
disappointed now in the least. While I'm not
sure that it's the masterpiece that some
have made it out to be, it's a very
impressive second feature from a talented
director who has an exquisite eye for Mise-en-scène. It's certainly worth
checking out, and given the impressive
quality of the disc, also worth the
purchase. Those who are interested are
certainly encouraged to see via this
recommended
Blu-ray.
Brian Montgomery
May 4th, 2010
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