City of God (2002) (BLU-RAY REVIEW)
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Starring: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora, Matheus Nachtergaele
RATED: R/REGION 0/1:85/1080P/NUMBER OF DISCS 1
AVAILABLE FROM Imprint Films
In the slums of Rio, two kids’ paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.
2002’s City of God is something else. Now, I’m aware this is a movie that has gotten lots of praise over the years and I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve heard about it. But if you are like me and you still haven’t seen it, now after having officially seen it for the first time, I can tell you that the hype is real. I’m a sucker for a movie that tells different stories that intertwine. I’ve been a fan of that style of storytelling since I saw Pulp Fiction. This is one of those movies and it has different stories that do at times cross. It also tells those stories with style. This is a movie with editing that is so good that it makes you take notice. That can be a lost art to some, but it’s something that isn’t lost on me. This movie can at times be a force. It can be very violent and leave you with a hopeless feeling. But at the same time it can leave you with a feeling of hope. That just goes to show how well-made this movie really is. It also goes to show you that all the positive things you’ve heard about this one over the years was true and the praise was justified.
That all being said, the same things that make some love this movie might also be the same things that turn people away from it. If you don’t like violence, then you won’t want to see some of the stuff this one offers. Especially the parts of this movie that have the do with the film’s main antagonist. Also, the City of God is a hectic place and at times that makes way for hectic editing. That might not be something that is for everyone either. But if you do like such things, this is a movie for you. Imprint from Australia is where this Blu-ray comes from and the movie does look good in HD. I wouldn’t say it looks perfect, but that’s probably more on the style and source that the movie was shot in. You might be happy to note that while from overseas, it will in fact play on your Amercian region A Blu-ray player. In the extras the disc also packs a great documentary about the film. That’s the best of that but really what else in the extras would you need? All in all, I highly recommend this one to movie fans.
Extras
- News From A Personal War Film Documentary
- A Conversation With Fernando Meirelles
- Trailer
