Master filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster is as heartbreaking and subtle as anything you will see. New to Blu-ray from Well Go USA.
The Film
Few filmmakers create complex portraits of humanity that feel both hopeful and holding the complexity of life’s many viewpoints. Monster is an example of adroit storytelling that is crafted elegantly and without fault.
Rather than build a thriller around the story components of bullying at an elementary school in Japan, Kore-eda and screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto have crafted something deeper. A kaleidoscopic look at Youth, Parenting, and Teaching is divided between various characters. Like a novel each chapter and voice brings new complexities to a portrait of a child who is seen as a bully and his reactive single mother.
The way that Kore-eda and Sakamoto unfold this tale is not a mystery but rather a story we are missing the pieces of. Throughout the film, the viewpoint of the mother (Sakura Andō), the teacher (Eita Nagayama), and finally the students (Sōya Kurokawa and Hinata Hiiragi) give us vital components rich in life, and it’s harder to define moments. Moments that any other filmmaker would have made cloying and artificial as though it was an overwrought genre film. Kore-eda takes it as moments of reflection and pause. Those moments where everyone is right, and everyone is wrong.
Rather than know everything about Monster, it’s best to go in with a limited amount of knowledge only that you’re in the hands of a master. A master who gives as much hope as he shows the dysfunctional complexities of raising or teaching children. One that in its final moments shows just how resilient and tough even the slightest of children are. More precisely how those slight and forgotten children have more inner strength than one could possibly imagine.
The Transfer
The transfer provided to Well Go USA is another winner in a long line of winners. The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp on Blu-Ray. The widescreen cinematography is beautifully subtle in its color use and blacks – which this transfer has no problem handling. Monster has no defects or any of the issues that come up with digitally shot films. The only way this one could look any better is if Well Go USA released a 4K UHD version of the film – one can only hope that both films get released eventually in the format.
The Extras
None were included in this release.
The Final Thought
Well Go USA continues to have success with its ever-increasing wonderful library of titles. Kore-eda’s Monster is a shining example and centerpiece. Highest possible recommendations!!!!
Master filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster is as heartbreaking and subtle as anything you will see. New to Blu-ray from Well Go USA.
The Film
Few filmmakers create complex portraits of humanity that feel both hopeful and holding the complexity of life’s many viewpoints. Monster is an example of adroit storytelling that is crafted elegantly and without fault.
Rather than build a thriller around the story components of bullying at an elementary school in Japan, Kore-eda and screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto have crafted something deeper. A kaleidoscopic look at Youth, Parenting, and Teaching is divided between various characters. Like a novel each chapter and voice brings new complexities to a portrait of a child who is seen as a bully and his reactive single mother.
The way that Kore-eda and Sakamoto unfold this tale is not a mystery but rather a story we are missing the pieces of. Throughout the film, the viewpoint of the mother (Sakura Andō), the teacher (Eita Nagayama), and finally the students (Sōya Kurokawa and Hinata Hiiragi) give us vital components rich in life, and it’s harder to define moments. Moments that any other filmmaker would have made cloying and artificial as though it was an overwrought genre film. Kore-eda takes it as moments of reflection and pause. Those moments where everyone is right, and everyone is wrong.
Rather than know everything about Monster, it’s best to go in with a limited amount of knowledge only that you’re in the hands of a master. A master who gives as much hope as he shows the dysfunctional complexities of raising or teaching children. One that in its final moments shows just how resilient and tough even the slightest of children are. More precisely how those slight and forgotten children have more inner strength than one could possibly imagine.
The Transfer
The transfer provided to Well Go USA is another winner in a long line of winners. The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp on Blu-Ray. The widescreen cinematography is beautifully subtle in its color use and blacks – which this transfer has no problem handling. Monster has no defects or any of the issues that come up with digitally shot films. The only way this one could look any better is if Well Go USA released a 4K UHD version of the film – one can only hope that both films get released eventually in the format.
The Extras
None were included in this release.
The Final Thought
Well Go USA continues to have success with its ever-increasing wonderful library of titles. Kore-eda’s Monster is a shining example and centerpiece. Highest possible recommendations!!!!
Well Go USA’s Blu-Ray edition of Monster is out April 9th
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