Astral City: A Spiritual Journey (2010) (Blu-ray Review)
Directed By: Wagner de Assis
Starring: Renato Prieto, Fernando Alves Pinto, Rosanne
Rated: UR/Region A/2:35/1080p/Number of Discs 1
Where to get it: Strand Releasing
Based on the best selling book by medium Chico Xavier, the film tells the story of André Luiz, a successful doctor who experiences an enlightening spiritual awakening after his death. When he wakes up in the spiritual world, he embarks on a new journey of self-discovery and transformation, from his first days in a dimension of pain and suffering, until when he is rescued and taken to the spiritual Astral City. With magnificent art direction and special effects that have never been seen before in a Brazilian production, and featuring an amazing score by composer Philip Glass, the film brings to the screen what life is like at the Astral City that hovers in the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Without setting grounds for a religious debate, I will just like there is things this movie is saying that I like. There is also some things I am iffy on, but overall I found this to be a brilliant in a number of ways film that leaves one with hope and a whole lot to try to take in. This is also a very visually stunning film that to spite running rather long, never actually feels that long. Our lead is a man named Andre. We follow him right after his death as he earns his way out of purgatory and learns the ways that the afterlife works. Along the way he learns of those who really cared about him, what his life meant to others, and lots more. It is a mind trip at times, but it still manages to become a touching story that you oddly will be able to relate to in a lot of ways. The acting skills of the cast also go above and beyond the language barrier and that right there tells you a lot about this movie.
I am well aware the beliefs of I nor the person who made this film will make a hill of beans with some of you, but I feel this is a film that can expand passed the boundaries of a religion or lack there of. You don’t have to believe in something to recognize that it is a good film. I don’t believe in zombies, but I love Dawn of the Dead. My point is, don’t let what the movie is based on turn some of you away from checking this one out. I’d highly recommend this one and I’d say it might be on of the year’s best! If you can watch with an open mind you should be able to see the skill and craft that went into this great film. It also shouldn’t go without saying that the visually stunning part spills over the transfer, as I’d say this is a perfect looking flick as well.
- Making-Of
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Other Strand Releasing Trailers
