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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    In A Better World

    Featured In Issue 159, September 2011

    Picture4
    Sound3.5
    WSR Score5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Sony Pictures Classics
    (Catalog Number):
    38336
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Violent and disturbing content, some involving reteens, and language
    (Retail Price):
    $45.99
    (Disc Type):
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    118
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2010
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    08/30/11
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    Yes
    (Director):
    Susanne Bier
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    In A Better World tells the story of Anton (Persbrandt), a doctor who commutes between his home in an idyllic town in Denmark and his work at an African refugee camp. In these two very different worlds, he and his family are faced with conflicts that lead them to difficult choices between revenge and forgiveness. Anton and his wife Marianne, who have two young sons, are separated and struggling with the possibility of divorce. Their older, ten-year-old son Elias is being bullied at school, until he is defended by Christian, a new boy who has just moved from London with his father, Claus. Christian's mother recently lost her battle with cancer, and Christian is greatly troubled by her death. Elias and Christian quickly form a strong bond, but when Christian involves Elias in a dangerous act of revenge with potentially tragic consequences, their friendship is tested and lives are put in danger. Ultimately, it is their parents who are left to help them come to terms with the complexity of human emotions, pain, and empathy. The 2010 Academy Award®-winning Best Foreign Film.(Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary with Director Susanne Bier and Editor Pernille Bech Chistensen, six deleted scenes (SD 13:40), an interview with Bier (SD 15;53), up-front previews, and BD-Live functionality.

    The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture is digitally shot and exhibits a gripping natural look with a natural color palette. Hues are rich and warm. Contrast, at times, is pushed, and whites are crushed, as well as blacks. In this regard, the picture is inconsistent in quality, though, the imagery is striking and engaging, especially the contrast between Danish civilization and African village life. Fleshtones are naturally rendered throughout. Resolution, at times, is excellent with revealing facial features, clothing, and object textures. At other times the imagery is edgy and plugged up. Still, overall, this is an engaging visual experience with a vivid color palette that is pleasing. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is mainly monaural and frontal focused, except for the orchestral music score, which provides at times an aggressive surround presence. An occasional sound effect excites the soundtrack with energized .1 LFE impact. Dialogue sounds perfectly natural and generally spatially integrated. This is a fine soundtrack experience that nicely supports the dramatic storytelling. (Gary Reber)

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    Todd Lawrence
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