Z for Zachariah (Blu-ray) (2015) |
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General | Extras | ||
Category | Post Apocalyptic | None | |
Rating | |||
Year Of Production | 2015 | ||
Running Time | 97:51 | ||
RSDL / Flipper | No/No | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Ads Then Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Craig Zobel |
Studio
Distributor |
Roadshow Home Entertainment |
Starring |
Margot Robbie Chiewetel Ejiofor Chris Pine |
Case | ? | ||
RPI | $34.95 | Music | Heather McIntosh |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None |
English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 |
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Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 2.35:1 | ||
16x9 Enhancement |
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Video Format | 1080p | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 2.35:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | No | ||
Subtitles | English for the Hearing Impaired | Smoking | No |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | No |
This film was little seen on theatrical release, taking $120,000 at the US Box Office and seemingly only getting released otherwise in Croatia, The Philippines & Thailand. However, there is certainly a film worth seeing here for audiences not looking only for action or laughs, you know, grown-ups. The film is a post-apocalyptic character drama featuring beautiful cinematography and high quality acting. It is based on a novel but the story is somewhat different I am led to believe.
The story starts with Ann (Margot Robbie), a young woman who lives on her own in a remote part of the United States (filmed in New Zealand actually). The remote farming community she lived in have all left or died following a nuclear annihilation which is not explained. Most of the country is contaminated with nuclear fallout but this valley has remained pretty much untouched and Ann survives by subsistence farming and what she can forage from around the valley. Her parents and brother have left the valley looking to establish contact with civilisation (unsuccessfully as far as she is aware). One day as she is out with her dog, hunting, she comes across a man is a nuclear contamination suit, pulling a wagon. He is obviously looking for somewhere safe from nuclear radiation and after testing realises that the valley is free from radiation. He pulls off his suit and after initial fear and misunderstandings they make contact. His name is John Loomis (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and at the time of the nuclear catastrophe he was working in a top secret government facility one mile underground as a scientist. Ann takes him into her home and looks after him as he recovers from radiation sickness and his journey. A tentative relationship develops between them as they work together to grow crops and even a plan to create electricity. It seems like they might be able to survive on their own.
Things take a different turn when someone else arrives in the valley, sneakily at first. His name is Caleb (Chris Pine), a young miner from a few counties over who has also been searching for somewhere safer. Tension grows as Ann finds herself attracted to Caleb despite already having a relationship with John.
This is not a full on psychological thriller as you might think from the description. It is more of a character drama with some mild thriller touches. The cinematography is beautiful showing the natural beauty of the area where they are living despite what has gone on. They are quite a few great shots of landscapes, cloud patterns and more which break up the character sequences. This really adds to the film. The drama is also well done keeping restraint on the melodrama, rather focusing on a quiet threat which rises during the film. Some may be disappointed by the ambiguous ending of the film but I think it is one of the interesting features of the film. The score by Heather McIntosh is also excellent providing another element to this interesting film. The only challenge I had with the film was some of the actions of the Caleb character as these sometimes didn't seem to be a normal reaction. Interestingly the novel only featured two characters, not the third.
A interesting, thought provoking post-apocalyptic character drama.
The video looks marvellous with wonderful colours, deep blacks and nice detail. It is sharp and clear throughout with excellent shadow detail. It is presented in 2.35:1, the original aspect ratio at 1080p.
There are subtitles available in English for the Hearing Impaired which are very clear and easy to read.
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Overall |
The audio is good but due to the style of film doesn't set the world on fire. Technically, it is the Blu-ray standard of DTS HD-MA 5.1. There is also an Audio Descriptive Dolby Digital 2.0 track available. The dialogue can be a little hard to understand at times mostly due to accents. The surrounds and subwoofer do a good job with what they have to do. The music is given great presence and fills the room on this soundtrack. Otherwise the surrounds carry atmosphere and minor incidental noise.
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Overall |
The menu included a still photo and music.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The Region A Blu-ray includes a variety of special features including a making of, deleted scenes and interviews. Easy win to Region A.
The video quality is very good.
The audio quality is very good.
The extras died of radiation poisoning...or did they?Video | |
Audio | |
Extras | |
Plot | |
Overall |
Review Equipment | |
DVD | Panasonic DMR-PWT500, using HDMI output |
Display | Sharp LC52LE820X Quattron 52" Full HD LED-LCD TV . Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p. |
Audio Decoder | Built into amplifier. Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. |
Amplification | Marantz SR5005 |
Speakers | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Sony SAW2500M Subwoofer |