Babylon (2022)-A Hollywood epic set in the 1920s

Directed by: Damien Chazelle

Starring:  Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li. 

Synopsis: Decadence, depravity and outrageous excess lead to the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers in 1920s Hollywood as the industry begins to transition from silent pictures to the world of sound films

4K Experience

Babylon, directed by Damien Chazelle, is a Hollywood epic set in the 1920s and follows the lives of various characters chasing their dreams of fame and fortune. The film received a divisive reaction upon its theatrical release and was considered a box office bomb. However, the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray edition of the film, released on March 21st, 2023, offers a beautiful cinematic experience with outstanding depth of field and natural black levels. This edition of Babylon provides a captivating viewing experience, highlighting the beauty of Chazelle’s stylistic and visual direction.

The transfer to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray provides a stunning Dolby Vision transfer and a wonderful Dolby Atmos audio, making the viewing experience even more immersive. Crisp visuals, lifelike sound and a truly immersive experience makes this 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray transfer a must-have for any home theater. With HDR and wide color gamut, the visuals on this 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray transfer look more vivid and lifelike than ever before. The addition of Dolby Atmos audio elevates the viewing experience, taking it to the next level.

The film features a star-studded cast, including Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, who deliver some great performances despite the film’s over-bloated excess. The cinematography and score are also outstanding, further adding to the film’s charm. What’s more, the direction and script are top-notch, allowing for a well-crafted and entertaining movie experience.

Movie Review

Even though Babylon has a unique style and pace, once it gets into the characters, things are a little more familiar. There is a lot of truth to Conrad and LaRoy being loosely based on a couple of people from that period, but the movie is trying to teach us a lesson about Hollywood eating up and spitting out talent pretty routinely. While Babylon strikes an effective balance between delivering these points and tiptoeing into conventionality at the end, I am let down by how pompous it starts and then settles into mediocrity. Although some characters are meant to be less distinctive (Manny, for example) I did find myself following them throughout the movie, even though I wished they were a little more fresh.

Damien Chazelle could probably hire any actor or actress he wanted to cast in his movie now that he has enough of a name. However, he still managed to attract a number of big names for Babylon. Chazelle got the most out of his performers and all members of the main cast did a fantastic job. I really enjoyed Brad Pitt’s performance as Jack Conrad, as he is one of the biggest names in film. When the world turns against him, he garners some genuine sympathy for Conrad because of his lush and over-the-top behavior. There’s some warmth and passion to Conrad and Pitt is able to convey that through his performance. Additionally, Pitt’s performance really brings Conrad to life, creating a character that viewers can sympathize with and root for – which is remarkable, considering the otherwise difficult circumstances.

Margot Robbie (The Suicide Squad) as Nellie is excellent here, and she has always been one of my favorites. Nellie’s whirlwind behavior is full of physicality and nuance, illustrating a surprising amount of physicality. Despite Nellie’s wild behavior, it is clear that she has a big heart and is a loyal friend. Pitt and Robbie make a great team, and their on-screen chemistry is electric.

As Pitt, she has a great sense of humor when she is given the chance to display it. It’s easier to understand why Manny can’t resist Nellie, despite the pretty telegraphed arc for her character. The work Pitt and Robbie have done here deserves award consideration. All the craziness is witnessed by Diego, who must go along with it all. There’s not much to Diego’s character, but enough to understand his motivations and distinguish him. Maguire is surprisingly good at portraying a creepy underworld figure in Tobey Maguire’s role as threatening mobster James McKay. McKay’s unpredictable and menacing presence adds another layer of tension and complexity to the dynamic between Diego, Nellie, and Manny, creating a powerful triangle of emotions.

Verdict

Overall, Babylon may not have done well at the box office, but its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray edition is definitely worth the watch for fans of Damien Chazelle’s work and Hollywood history enthusiasts. The Steelbook Blu-ray edition is a great addition to any movie collection.