Blow Up
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Movie Reviews of Blow Up
Movie Review: Hypnotic, Singular & Frozen in the glint of the lens ...
Summary: 5 Stars
As though I were Thomas, the protagonist of the piece, only fragments and minute visual clues capered through my subconscious for 38 years. I saw BLOW UP its U.S. release in 1966. I was 15 years old then and I'd not since BLOW UP since. Not until acquiring this DVD, which is an outstanding presentation with superb video and audio specs. I've only heard 15 minutes of the commentary track thus far, but it promises to be a worthy analysis of this intricate cipher of a film.
I won't offer my analysis here as it's a film that demands its own unique relationship with the viewer. Suffice it to say that both the teenager and the middle-aged man in me still find this masterwork utterly fascinating. I vividly recall patrons walking out of the theater in 1966 chuckling over the film's enigmas: "What the hell was that?" was the common utterance.
In the case of BLOW UP it is the questions asked and not a futile fumble for logic that holds me today and well as it did 38 years ago. See this one. If you "don't get it" then just give it a decade or two...
Added note: 9.12.08 - Since posting this review a few years back, it has been brought to my attention that this American release was "virtually censored" by cropping parts if the frames and digital smearing to minimize frontal nudity. Sad note on our cultural priorites.
Movie Review: Fabulous Transfer
Summary: 5 Stars
The new DVD (released 2-17-04) is flawlessly restored, very clear and bright with not a hint of dirt in the print. Even the audio appears to have been cleaned up and restored. Hard to believe, watching it, that it's almost 40 years old; it looks brand new.Of course no comment needs be made about the film itself -- it deserves every accolade garnered in its long life. The nature of observation, perception and reality, layers of meaning within meaning... it's all here for discovery.
One could have hoped for a bit more in the extras, however. What we get are two threadbare theatrical trailers and an absolutely braindead "commentary" by some halfwit critic, who completely misses the poetry, whimsy and most of the symbolism of the film. In fact, his self-important babbling threatens to ruin the whole presentation, so I recommend you avoid it altogether. With as much analysis, speculation and adulation as this film has gathered over the years, I'm sure much better extras could have been included.
And the packaging here is painfully cheap....
But no mind, the film itself rises above all the negatives (pun intended).
Movie Review: Attention Brit Rock Fanatics!
Summary: 5 Stars
Blow-up is a wonderful film, filled with images of swinging 60s London. The story is engrossing: a photographer inadvertently captures a crime on film while following a couple in a park. He gradually becomes immersed in a series of bizarre events beginning with a visit from the subject of his filmic foray. When he develops the negatives and blows them up, an entirely hidden reality unravels before his eyes.
Apart from all of the above reasons to see this cinema classic, there is another recommendation. There is a brief scene where the photographer (David Hemmings) goes into a London rock and roll club. The band onstage? None other than the legendary Yardbirds...at the peak of their creativity! Even more fascinating is the fact that this was filmed during the period when the band featured two immortal lead guitar icons: Jeff Beck AND Jimmy Page! The brevity of this sequence is sad, but the few moments of wild guitar interplay is worth the price of the DVD. Especially when you can view the Yardbirds segment over and over without damaging the disc. (Try this with the VHS!) A classic rock and roll snapshot from the glory years.
Movie Review: Terrific DVD Release (finally)
Summary: 5 Stars
What can you say: it's a fabulous film and it's now available on DVD for the first time. Trust me, "Blow-Up" has never looked better, and it's in 16x9 widescreen. The VHS versions of Blow-Up have all been desaturated and washed-out in color, and when you see this DVD for the first time, you will be amazed at what a vibrant colorful film this is.The sound quality is also far better than in any VHS versions before, naturally. There's also an excellent commentary soundtrack by a film expert that will heighten your knowledge and enjoyment of this now-legendary film by Michelangelo Antonioni.
I would tell fans to not hesitate to run out and buy this DVD and put any old VHS versions to rest. You won't regret the improved visual and sound quality and a chance to see Blow-Up like it probably hasn't been seen since the late 60s.
There could have been a few more extras such as any existing documentaries on Blow-Up or Antonioni, as well as actor commentary, etc, but what the hey. Often more extras just mean more fluff that force the MPG of the film to be further compressed and we wouldn't want that.
Movie Review: film 5 stars....dvd...mehhh
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is undeniably a classic. I have loved it for a long time, having seen it on vhs back in highschool. I love to purchase films that merit repeated viewings, so purchasing this dvd was a no-brainer.
Unfortunately, the dvd has been somewhat disapointing in terms of image quality, especially compared to my dvd copy of Zabriskie Point, which is visually stunning. And if it is true, as another reviewer suggests, that certain key scenes have been cut, this is a major disappointment!
This classic film deserves a fully restored, high quality blu-ray and dvd release. Right away!
On another note, many reviewers suggest that the film has a "dated" feel. I actually think that Antonioni portrayed the then-current fashion and music trends in a oddly detached way that makes them seem trivial and shallow, to make a point. The film is definitely a time capsule, yet it never buys into the trappings of the era.