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

Criterion new release of Michael Haneke's love-it-or-hate-it "Funny Games" to a dual-layered Blu-ray. This is a new 2K digital restoration, supervised by director Michael Haneke. The 1.85:1 1080p image comes to us with an almost maxed-out bitrate. The level of detail is impressive right from the start. Given that the film mostly takes place in a single location, with a motion-less camera, one is able to see all kinds of information in the image. When the film reaches its nighttime climax, a solid contrast really kicks in, without seeing any dreaded uniform blacks. There are some scenes that seem to be purposely overexposed, most noticeable in a scene with a blinding white light coming through the front door. This was almost certainly a decision by the filmmakers, and by no means the fault of the transfer.

Criterion offer up a 24-bit German DTS-HD Master audio track with optional English subtitles (newly translated). That opening jolt of a title will certainly wake up your home theater's speakers when "Bonehead" by Naked City comes blasting in. There are also pieces by Mozart and Handel utilized in the film. This is a fine lossless DTS track, with clear and audible dialogue. This is a Region 'A' Blu-ray release from Criterion.

Criterion have included some interviews on their Blu-ray, starting with "Michael Haneke", a 25-minute interview with the director that does not dissapoint. Haneke begins by explaining how he used the thriller genre to "reflect on manipulation via the medium itself" and then elaborates even more on the film. "Arno Frisch" is an 18-minute interview with the actor talking about his experiences working on the film. "Alexander Horwath" is a 28-minute interview with the film historian talking about the film and Haneke. This piece with Horwath is quite elucidating, especially with regards to the film not being the outlier of Haneke's work that some would have you believe. "Cannes, 1997" is 44-minutes of footage from the press conference at the film festival. Director Michal Haneke and actors Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Muhe, and Arno Frisch all appear. All of these extras have optional English subtitles. There is also an essay by critic Bilge Ebiri.

This new 2K digital restoration from Criterion will please Haneke's fans. The film surely will still divide people 22 years later, as it truly is a powerful and upsetting viewing experience. I have always found the film deeply fascinating, not to mention its 2007 almost shot-for-shot "Hollywood" remake by Haneke himself (the very idea of Haneke doing this still makes me smile). Though there is no commentary, the film itself IS. The Criterion Blu-ray is recommended to more adventurous filmgoers that are able to take some abuse. You won't be rewarded, and that is surely the point.

Colin Zavitz