Blu-ray Movie Reviews

The Menu

Josef Krebs  |  May 19, 2023

Picture
Sound
Extras

In this darkly satiric thriller about conceptual dining, mockery is made both of foodies and society’s growing obsession with the dramatically experiential. A group of wealthy culinary enthusiasts, snobby gastronomes, and famous experts are whisked by yacht to a private island where an unforgettable meal awaits them at a highly exclusive gourmet restaurant. There, they expect not to just eat, but attend a veritable drama (only this one will include unexpected audience participation).

Gradually, as each course is presented, what is really in store for them from their obsessively controlling epicurean chef (Ralph Fiennes), his scary female maître d’, and cultishly loyal and obedient kitchen staff is revealed.

Only unpretentious Margot Mills (Anya Taylor-Joy), an extremely unimpressed escort plus one, might be able to interfere with Chef’s macabrely planned and executed menu.

In daylight scenes the picture is very sharp but because of the low-level soft lighting of the restaurant, images can sometimes be rather soft, though always well-detailed. Contrast is good so there are deep blacks and bright whites to the servers’ uniforms. Most shots are dominated by tasteful tones of blue and grey in the decor and the aprons. But the wines and intertitle food-porn shots illustrating each dish are richly colorful. Wide-ranging skin tones are exceedingly natural.

The bassy, utterly immersive soundtrack has almost nonstop electronic and orchestral music surging around from all channels, echoing back and forth behind you, and growing more intense throughout. But it’s all well separated so that you can still taste individual ingredient instruments and by the climactic end it seems as if you’re in the middle of an overwhelming orchestra.

Effects are used comically and aggressively to add to dramatic tension, as in each of Chef’s unexpected, commanding claps to get attention before pronouncing the theme of the next course — all illustrated with embarrassing confessional explanations — getting louder and therefor ever more startling. Doors opening suddenly, an explosive gunshot, and an eerily echoing voice from the kitchen are unnerving, while the militaristic simultaneous chorus of “Yes Chef!” by the staff are virtual slaps.

Like the subject of The Menu, its soundtrack is all about the heightened experience. Dialog, such as “This wine has hints of oak, tobacco, longing, and regret,” are nonetheless clear.

Extras include a featurette with director Mark Mylod describing the story and preparation of food by renowned French chef Dominique Crenn, followed by crew and cast explaining the look and characters of the film. Three deleted scenes add background to characters. A digital copy is also included.

Blu-ray
STUDIO: Disney and 20th Century Studios, 2022
ASPECT RATIO: 2.35:1
AUDIO: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
LENGTH: 106 mins.
MPAA RATING: R
DIRECTOR: Mark Mylod
STARRING: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, John Leguizamo, Paul Adelstein

COMMENTS
MarlonBrando's picture
Submitted by MarlonBrando on May 24, 2023 - 9:34pm

Each dish has many stories behind the chef but sometimes some of the stories behind it are a bit scary like cuphead online a horror shooting game.

zetisno's picture
Submitted by zetisno on May 25, 2023 - 9:18pm

Electronic and symphonic music is nearly chess online constantly playing in the background, reverberating back and forth behind you, and intensifying throughout the completely immersive soundscape.

Gadas's picture
Submitted by Gadas on November 7, 2023 - 7:07am

It looks great, it's exactly what you need for your kitchen.

Gadas's picture
Submitted by Gadas on November 7, 2023 - 7:07am

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Gadas's picture
Submitted by Gadas on February 18, 2024 - 7:22pm

very interested

Gadas's picture
Submitted by Gadas on February 18, 2024 - 7:23pm

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Leurtas's picture
Submitted by Leurtas on May 3, 2024 - 3:58pm

Знайти якісні продукти харчування в Україні не завжди легко, особливо коли мова йде про асортимент і якість, які пропонують європейські виробники. Європейські продукти славляться своєю чистотою, смаковими якостями та дотриманням високих стандартів безпеки харчових продуктів.

Чому європейські продукти кращі за місцеві?
Перш за все, європейські стандарти якості харчових продуктів є одними з найсуворіших у світі. ЄС вимагає дотримання строгих норм щодо виробництва, що гарантує безпечність і високу якість продуктів. Крім того, багато європейських продуктів виробляють за традиційними рецептурами, що додає їм унікальності та аутентичності.

Європейські продукти часто містять менше консервантів та штучних добавок, що робить їх кращим вибором для здорового харчування. Вони також часто виробляються з використанням більш природних методів обробки, що зберігає більше корисних речовин.

Де придбати європейські продукти в Україні?
Одним з найкращих місць для покупки європейських продуктів в Україні є Euromarket https://euromarket.com.ua/ . Цей онлайн-магазин пропонує широкий вибір продуктів з різних країн Європи, включаючи спеціалізовані продукти, які важко знайти в звичайних магазинах. Від італійських паст і французьких сирів до іспанських оливок та бельгійського шоколаду — на Euromarket можна знайти все, що потрібно для створення справжнього європейського столу.

Переваги покупки на Euromarket:

Широкий асортимент: Великий вибір продуктів з усієї Європи.
Висока якість: Тільки перевірені продукти, які відповідають європейським стандартам.
Зручність: Легкість замовлення та швидка доставка прямо до вашого дому.
Завдяки Euromarket ви завжди можете насолоджуватися смаком і якістю європейських продуктів, не виходячи з дому. Це ідеальний спосіб додати різноманіття та якість у ваше повсякденне харчування.

Coftese's picture
Submitted by Coftese on October 19, 2024 - 4:36am

"The Menu" intricately explores the relationship between food, art, and the consumer experience in a high-stakes dining environment. It delves into themes of obsession, revealing the extreme lengths chefs go to for perfection, while challenging diners to reflect on their own desires and expectations. This narrative encourages viewers to appreciate not just the artistry of cuisine, but also the emotional connections that food can evoke. In a different light, the prices for dutch bros offer a variety of delightful beverages that can elevate any gathering. With thoughtful choices, one might just find a new favorite drink to complement their culinary adventures.

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