10 Cloverfield Lane Blu-ray delivers great video and reference-quality audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
After a car crash, a woman wakes up in a survivalist's bunker. He claims the outside world is affected by a chemical attack.
For more about 10 Cloverfield Lane and the 10 Cloverfield Lane Blu-ray release, see 10 Cloverfield Lane Blu-ray Review published by Martin Liebman on June 16, 2016 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
Director Dan Trachtenberg makes his feature film debut with 10 Cloverfield Lane, a neat, tidy, enthralling, and very well made Thriller that's a
tangential entry into the Cloverfield franchise, if one can label it a "franchise" at, now, two films
strong. Don't let the word "Cloverfield" crete any expectations, though, at least not very straightforward, sequel-centric expectations for "more of the
same." Suffice it to say, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a radically different experience from its predecessor -- narratively and stylistically to be sure
but also structurally and thematically, too -- though how, why, or even really if it fits into the universe introduced in the first film won't be
spoiled here. That said, the movie does stand strong on its own merits, away from the shaky cam footage and noise of the original monster movie.
It's instead a more confined and intimate character film, one that asks a lot of good questions, answers some of them in due time, and yields an
altogether captivating movie watching experience, structured in three very basic and identifiable acts that tell a complete story of confusion and
revelation, leading to an ending that isn't necessarily hard to see coming but that does contextually redefine everything leading up to it.
What she sees...
Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) hurriedly leaves her life behind, escaping her boyfriend and hoping to get away from the struggles of life.
Unfortunately, she's run off the road at night, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, and awakens in a strange place: a spartan cinder block and
concrete room. An IV is attached to her arm, a blood stain soaks her pillow, a few wounds have been tended, and she's shackled to the wall. She
manages to reach her phone
but it cannot pick up a signal. She's greeted by her captor, a man named Howard (John Goodman), who claims he's saved her life. With time, her
restraints are removed, she's given crutches to aid her mobility, and she's given a tour of the place he calls home: a well-stocked underground
survival shelter. He believes there's a crisis on the surface that's rendered the atmosphere deadly to anything that breathes the air. Details are
sketchy: it could be Russians, it could be Martians. Either way, they're safe
inside, so long as neither Michelle nor Howard's other guest, Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), do anything stupid that could contaminate the
shelter with whatever it is that's apparently killing off life outside, including Howard's neighbor and livestock. As time passes, Michelle begins to
doubt Howard's story, both his personal tale and his story of what's happening outside. But is the possibility of exposure and death worth escape,
and will she find a fate worse that crude survival and an increasingly unstable host should she venture outside?
10 Cloverfield Lane jumps quickly out of the gate with no wasted motion, time, or detail. Character establishment is rapid and just enough
to get Michelle on the move and to her final destination. The movie's opening act is high energy and frantic that captures human interest, a narrow
focus on the world of "disaster prepping," and a broader focus on the fears of modern society. The film offers an interesting take on catastrophe,
sealing off three characters from a world that was, or maybe still is, an always-on, up-to-the-second, easily informed
society. All of that is taken away within the bunker's walls, and all that's left is the word of a man who seems to live for the opportunity to survive,
to prove his time and
effort
worthwhile, who thrives on the satisfaction of being right. In 10 Cloverfield Lane, Trachtenberg, Producer J.J. Abrams, and the writing
team have created a modern and
modified version of Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Here, the person chained to the wall -- literally chained, at first -- enters with a lifetime's worth of
knowledge of what's outside and a body, mind, and soul shaped by a lifetime of experience in the real world. Now, suddenly, Michelle's world view
is only
what Howard allows her to see and the picture he paints of the world as it is, supposedly, now, rather than how it was. She cannot verify. All she
can
do is use her knowledge and instincts, and work to build a larger narrative than that which Howard shares with her, using her own mental
resources and
experiences as a guide. It's a fascinating draw that's well played and executed before the reveal which, it would seem, has only two logical
outcomes:
Howard is right, or Howard is a liar. Either way, Michelle's in trouble.
The movie works very well on a technical level, too. For the vast majority, it's a single-location film -- the bunker -- with a few cutaway scenes to
other, smaller areas within, various shafts and what not. There's the spartan "holding cell," for lack of a better term, a hallway lined with shelves
full of foodstuffs and, probably, a few other odds and ends, and the more comfortable living space with dining area and kitchenette where the
majority of the movie takes place. The film really nails it. Even as survival bunkers, and preparedness in general, have become more mainstream,
these
shelters aren't exactly the kinds of places most people ever see. Still, there's a believable air to the place, a combination of utility and comfort
that, given Howard's apparent lifelong, or thereabouts, obsession with survival, is fully believable as a structure and a living area alike.
Trachtenberg directs smoothly and succinctly, working well within the relatively tight confines and capturing the juxtaposing essences of pure
survival, uncertainty, and the human interactions that are a result. Storytelling is smooth and precise, and never does the movie play like a
director experiencing growing pains. Performances are strong, too. Mary
Elizabeth Winstead is excellent as the evolving protagonist of the story while John Goodman hits a home run as Howard. He plays Howard as a
man certain of himself, proud of his foresight and accomplishments, but mysterious nonetheless, and strangely vulnerable, too, even through the
confidence of his planning and ability, the way he deals with the crisis, both exposes and keeps secret details of his life, and handles the ebbs and
flows of survival with his guests. His Howard is a man on a mission, and Goodman's ability to remain grounded in his knowledge and instincts,
unwaveringly believe in what he's doing, and coping, sometimes harshly, with the evolving understanding and growing unease of his guests --
particularly Michelle -- is the movie's greatest asset.
10 Cloverfield Lane was digitally photographed. The 1080p Blu-ray transfer can be a bit noisy at the source but provides an overall positive
viewing experience. Indeed, noise spikes, usually in lower light areas, such as in Michelle's room. Generally, however, the image is rather clean and
efficiently detailed and colored. Faces are always revealing of finer pores, wrinkles, and facial hairs. Clothes are well textured, and the source's natural
sharpness allows audiences to soak up all the little details around the shelter, particularly in the common area. Colors are neutrally balanced. None
really pop or stand apart, none appear faded or wanting for more vitality. Black levels hold up nicely, yielding a good, positive depth and fine shadow
detailing. Skin tones appear neutral. Beyond the noise, there are a couple of smeary looking shots; cuts to Howard around the 15:50 mark being the
most readily apparent example. Though probably more the fault of the monitor, a 360-degree panning shot that introduces the shelter's living area
produced a headache-inducing judder that subtracted from the scene's otherwise interesting reveal.
10 Cloverfield Lane arrives on Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless core) soundtrack. This review is based on an 11.1 setup,
which adds four "height" channels to the traditional 7.1 surround setup. The track is demanding; music and larger action effects push the system
hard, but balance is excellent and the presentation as authentic as one could imagine. Music is terrific. Score that opens the movie is amazingly
smooth. Dispersal around the stage is even, creating a seamless 360-degree immersion. Overheads don't seem to be heavily engaged in musical
delivery, but no matter; the net effect is terrific. Pop music playing from a jukebox in the shelter is more front-dominant, a bit less aggressive, and a
little behind in clarity, all to be expected considering the source within the movie rather than laid atop it. Mild atmospherics, such as insects or light
buzzing fluorescent lights, are likewise immersive and well positioned, but it's the film's more pronounced and aggressive elements that drive the
experience. Michelle's car wreck is unbelievably robust. Crunching metal, crashes onto the surface, and the sensation that the vehicle is indeed
rolling over is amazing, and that top layer adds in plenty of clearly defined detail that creates a more realistic, full-stage immersion. A smoke alarm
blares through the bunker on more than on occasion, with dispersal throughout but a noticeable overhead component. Deep and detailed discrete
effects emanate from all over the stage in key moments, and the film's finale yields plenty of hard-hitting bass and tons of activity through all of the
speakers, including, again, a well defined height component. No details will be revealed to prevent spoiling the movie in any form or fashion, but suffice
it to say it's loud
and chillingly authoritative. Dialogue delivery is clear and refined with a positive center placement and prioritization. This is a terrific track and one of
the best Dolby Atmos listens yet.
10 Cloverfield Lane contains a commentary track and seven featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy
are included with purchase. Of note is that the release comes with a unique slipcover that offers full back panel coverage but only about 2/3
coverage for the front, allowing the top of the case artwork to take over and give the viewer two different looks with the slipcover on and off the
case.
Audio Commentary: Director Dan Trachtenberg and Producer J.J. Abrams share some interesting anecdotal secrets behind the movie
while discussing film and scene-specific structure, characters and development, score, crafting key scenes and visual effects, performances,
alterations in scenes and concepts from idea stages to final execution, editing, and much more. This is a very enlightening, informative, and
entertaining track. It opens up a wider world of the filmmaking process. A must-listen for fans of this film and the cinematic craft alike.
Cloverfield Too (1080p, 9:07): Cast and crew recall the plot, the film's relation to, and differences from, the first film, Trachtenberg's
direction, and casting and performances.
Bunker Mentality (1080p, 3:48): Designing, crafting, and shooting the movie's main set piece.
Duck and Cover (1080p, 1:44): Designing a key costume seen late in the film.
Spin-Off (1080p, 3:52): Building practical car effects for the film.
Kelvin Optical (1080p, 6:07): A fascinating, but quick, look inside one of the arms of Bad Robot where visual and sound effects are
created.
Fine Tuned (1080p, 6:42): A look at how music compliments the movie and characters.
End of Story (1080p, 3:19): Creating an original movie that's still attached to a popular movie.
10 Cloverfield Lane is a fantastic motion picture, a core human interest story of survival and the unknown, of mysterious intentions and
circumstances. Every area of the movie excels, whether considering writing, direction, production design, or performances. There are some surprises
and a few turns that aren't hard to see coming, but the net value of the movie is very high, blending physiological chills with hypothetical survival
scenarios and more broadly entertaining moviemaking. The cast is great, with Goodman leading the charge in one of the best works of his storied
career. Paramount's Blu-ray release of 10 Cloverfield Lane offers solid video, reference Atmos audio, and a very nice complimentary selection
of
bonus materials, including an A-grade commentary track. Very highly recommended.
10 Cloverfield Lane: Other Editions
Blu-ray
2-disc set
Blu-ray
2-disc set
4K
2-disc set $19.99
4K
2-disc set
Blu-ray Bundles/Box Sets with 10 Cloverfield Lane (2 bundles)
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Blu-ray.com and Paramount Home Entertainment are offering members the opportunity to win
4K Blu-ray copies of Matt Reeves' Cloverfield (2008) and Dan Trachtenberg's 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016). The two releases will be available for purchase on January 23rd.
Paramount Home Media Distribution has officially announced and detailed its upcoming 4K Blu-ray releases of Matt Reeves' blockbuster Cloverfield (2008) and Dan Trachtenberg's 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016). The two releases will be available for purchase on January ...
For the week of June 13th, Paramount Home Media Distribution is bringing 10 Cloverfield Lane to Blu-ray. Other titles this week include Universal's three Jaws sequels, Scream Factory's two Jeepers Creepers releases, and Sony's formulaic-but-engaging Sally Field ...
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