Blu-ray Movie Reviews

It’s been said that true genius is never appreciated in its own time. Some of the most brilliant minds in human history have challenged the status quo, pioneered their field, and changed the world with their groundbreaking ideas and their seemingly limitless creativity. But the flip side of that coin almost always meant that their personal eccentricities left a gaping void in their capacity for being likable human beings. The film Steve Jobs explores that theme at great length and begs the question: Just how much leeway should geniuses be allowed before we dismiss them as the douchebags they are?

Not to be confused with that other Steve Jobs biopic, Jobs (the one with Ashton Kutcher), Steve Jobs deliberately and wisely abandons the traditional biography formula in favor of a literal three-act structure. We see him in those crucial hours before a mega media launch of a new product that he has personally pioneered. It’s the image that we assoc- iate most with Jobs: standing in front of a packed auditorium unveiling the next big tech hardware miracle that will revolutionize the industry and change the world as we know it. And whether it’s the MacIntosh, the iPod, the iPhone, or the iPhart, its unparalleled success meant more to him than any of the people in his life who helped him get there.

Director Danny Boyle brilliantly approaches Aaron Sorkin’s powerful screenplay with three different cinematic formats, giving each act its own distinct look and feel that work thematically in tandem with the story. Segment one was shot on 16mm film, and the grain and image blur give this sequence an appropriate low-budget quality. Imagery takes a considerable jump in sharpness and clarity during the second segment where we shift gears to the graceful nuances of 35mm film. Colors and textures are more vibrant here as the story evolves to its next level. By the time we reach the final act, we’ve transcended to stunning high-grade digital video, and it’s as if the film itself has matured along with its protagonist.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio supports the visuals superbly for a biographical drama in which the dialogue and performances are the primary focus. Sporadically, the audio struts its stuff with auditoriums pulsating with chanting, musical interludes, and subtle background ambience.

Extras include an in-depth three-part documentary on the making of the film and two separate audio commentaries with Boyle and Sorkin. DVD and Digital Copy included. Highly recommended.

Blu-Ray
Studio: Universal, 2015
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio Format: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Length: 122 mins.
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen