DVD Reviews

Babel

I'm going to come right out and say it.  I didn't care much for this film.  It looks really nice and I'll give the cinematographer credit there.  Each area the story takes us to is beautiful and watching the film made me want to travel.  But I found that while I watched it... I wasn't really seeing anything happen.  This is a bunch of, what seems like, different stories that all end up being related somehow.  But upon further inspection... it's one story that's been mixed up and put back together to make it seem like it's more then what it really is.  The basic story is: SPOILER ALERT... Japanese man gives gun to guide.  Guide sells gun to herder.  Goat herder's kids shoot at bus.  American tourist gets shot and almost dies. Nanny of kids needs to go to wedding but because parents aren't able to get back she takes them with her to Mexico. Everything works out in the end, well!  for 2 of the 4 major situations at least ;).

Pain is universal... but so is hope. From acclaimed Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu comes the third film in his trilogy, Babel, a film about the barriers that separate humankind. A tragic accident in Morrocco sets off a chain of events that will link four groups of people who, divided by cultural differences and vast distances, will discover a shared destiny that ultimately connects them.

The video comes in at1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen.  There is slight grain and a bit of softness throughout the film.  Colours are nicely recreated.  Edge halos are visible at times but I didn't see any compression problems.  The picture itself, well the subject matter, is stunningly beautiful.  Unfortunately I don't think the transfer on this DVD does it justice.  This film really needs a perfect picture and it doesn't get one here.  The picture isn't bad, it just doesn't live up to the visuals presented in the film.

Audio is available in English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0, Spanish Dolby Surround 2.0 and French Dolby Digital 5.1 with English subtitles (closed captioning) and Spanish subtitles. When other languages are being spoken (which is quite often), the subtitles are forced on to the screen.  This made me wonder why there wasn't French subtitles.  I watched the film in English 5.1 so that's what I'll comment on.  Dialogue is clean and clear and never drowned out even though the music in the film seemed to be mixed slightly louder then everything else.  I'm guessing this was intentional.  There is some movement across the front speakers and the surrounds are pleasantly active and noticeable. Low end is there but minimal.  This is a good mix but not great.

Extras are minimal at best.  Included are trailers for "An Inconvenient Truth," "Black Snake Moan," "Babel," "Things We Lost in the Fire," "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer," and the acclaimed "Flags of our Fathers."  Oh and that downloading is stealing spot. That's it.  *sigh* At least the mandatory trailer is included.

I started off the review stating that I didn't care much for the film.  This doesn't mean that it's a bad film.  This film is very well shot, edited and the story is an interesting one.  I simply felt the film left me with a feeling of lacking. I found it to be anti-climactic.  That coupled with the disgusting lack of extras and less then ideal video, I'd have to recommend this one for rental.  I can only guess there will be a special edition coming later.  When that gets released, as long as the video, audio and extras all show an increase in quality, then I would probably recommend a purchase. But not until then.

Review By Robert Harding