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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (January 2021): Criterion have transferred Bing Liu's Minding the Gap to Blu-ray.

Criterion's Blu-ray of "Minding the Gap" comes from a new high-definition digital master, approved by director Bing Liu. The film is housed on a dual-layered Blu-ray featuring a nicely maxed out bitrate. While the film was a passion project taking place over many years, the jumping between (an impressively detailed) film-like 1.85:1 and (somewhat more antiquated) digital presentation in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio is not at all jarring, and quite fluid...thanks to fantastic editing and sound design. Any image issues would be a result of the source, and I could find hardly any, aside from the typical limitations of digital filmmaking of older cameras. A fantastic transfer, that surely shows a fidelity to the original source.

NOTE: We have added 18 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

Criterion's Blu-ray of "Minding the Gap'' features a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master audio soundtrack, in 24-bit. There is a nice subtlety to the surround effects, which much like the editing of the film, is never off putting or too in-your-face. The soundtrack features such diverse artists as "The Mountain Goats'' and "Fetty Wap" while the film is scored by Nathan Halpern and Chris Ruggiero. There are optional English SDH subtitles on this Region 'Free' Blu-ray from Criterion.

Criterion includes two audio commentaries, the first featuring Bing Liu and the other two main characters from the documentary; Keire Johnson and Zack Mulligan. If you've seen the film, you will know that the three have a great chemistry, and can basically finish each other's sentences. Fans of the film will get a big kick out this chat, though they can go down some esoteric rabbit holes, ie. conversations about a favorite shirt. This commentary definitely has a fly-on-the-wall effect which is quite precious. The other commentary is much more focused and serious, with director /cinematographer / co-editor Liu. This track is much more interesting for aspiring filmmakers, with a lot of technical talk as to how the film was captured and assembled. "A Very Tricky Balance" is a 33-minute program with Liu and producers; Gordon Quinn and Diane Quon. These interviews were recorded remotely in 2020, due to Covid19. The three touch on the personal nature of the film and how the film evolved over time. "Nina and Bing" is a 17-minute discussion between Liu and one of the film's featured participants, Nina Bowgren. This is also a 2020 virtual chat where the director and the co-star discuss where they are now in 2020, with Nina talking about her new boyfriend. Nina goes on to discuss how the film has resulted in newfound support for the troubles and abuse that she has suffered. "Tony Hawk" is a 12-minute interview with the skate-god/entrepreneur himself. Hawk is a fan of the film and fans will get a kick out of this brief but illuminating piece. Hawk speaks of his identification with the skaters in the film, and shares their love of the skateboarding culture as an outlet and escape from an otherwise miserable family life. "Outtakes" features 4 sequences (totaling 21-minutes) that were excised from the film ('Nina and Zack go to the hospital', 'Rick and his son, Max', 'Keire leaves Rockford', 'Keire in Denver'). While they all add layers of emotion and fill in some gaps (pardon the pun) the film is so perfectly edited that it makes sense to have omitted them. These scenes are introduced by director Liu. "Nước" is a 2010 short film from director Bing Liu. This 23-minute short covers two Vietnamese immigrants, and their struggles growing up in America. Also on Criterion's Blu-ray disc is the film's trailer. The booklet includes an essay by critic Jay Caspian Kang and features cover art by Katherine Lam.

"Minding the Gap" was so much more than I was expecting, achieving the same level of interest in the viewer as the legendary "Hoop Dreams" (in much less time, no less). Criterion's fantastic Blu-ray presentation will hopefully expose this documentary to an even wider group of people. Fans are also encouraged to get this release as the extras are plentiful and enjoyable. Recommended.

Colin Zavitz