Micmacs Blu-ray Review

This movie was fantastic; though I’m not surprised since it was directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amélie and A Very Long Engagement).  It’s comprised of a few genres, namely heist and odd family films, that mesh together for a perfect blend of action, comedy, and heart-felt moments.

The protagonist, Bazil, is sent to a boarding school after his father is killed attempting to disarm a landmine and his mother is admitted into medical care.  With his parents out of the picture Bazil is admitted to a boarding school. After an afternoon of punishment from the nuns he decides to run away and start his life anew.

Thirty years later we find Bazil working in a video store, seemingly happy with his lot in life. Until one night a stray bullet from a gunfight leaves him in the hospital.  After he awakes he finds that he’s lost it all. His job has went to a young woman, his apartment has been rented out by other tenants, and the local kids have taken to stealing his clothes from storage.

With nowhere left to turn he finds his way into the loving arms of a family of misfits, not unlike himself.  After earning their trust he asks them to join him in sabotaging the two companies that ruined his life; the creators of the landmine that took his father’s life, and the creators of the bullet that’s lodged in his brain.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of watching a Jean-Pierre Jeunet film you don’t know what you’re missing.  This film has a beautiful 1080p transfer with an AVC encode. The details of the clothing, faces, and surroundings are perfect and crisp; but the real gem of the film is the color pallet.  The colors that grace Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s films are some of the best pieces of cinematic work that you’ll find anywhere; and this film stays true to form.  The blacks are deep and inky and the colors are very rich, with a prominent golden tint that’s carried throughout the film. All of the colors pop beautifully, but are never jarring to the overall feel of the color tone.

Micmacsis delivered to us with an exceptionally clear DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack; which is just what you’d expect from a Sony release.  Though this film doesn’t have constant explosions that rock the bass, it has a subtle underscore that keeps itself perfectly vibrant from start to finish.  The music and ambient sounds of the film are perfectly balanced against the dialogue and all three are quiet clear and accurate.  There are often times where multiple sounds are being delivered from various sources and never are they garbled or jarring.

The Making of Micmacs
Q&A With Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Actress Julie Ferrier
Audio Commentary with Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Animations: Absurd Deaths
BD-Live
‘Micmacs’ and other Trailers

This film is incredible, from the story to the beautiful colors, to the vibrant sound. The only area that it’s lacking is in the special features department; which is the sole reason this isn’t a 5/5 release. If you’re not big on special features then this film could very well register a 5/5 for you.  If you are big on special features, as I am, you’ll be left wanting more but that’s certainly no reason to not buy this gem of a film.  Either way i’d definitely recommend getting this film.

*The reviewers rating score of the film doesn’t play a role in it’s bottom line score.