The DVD Dissection: Babel
Posted by Chad Webb on 02.20.2007
One of 2006's best films gets an decent, but unfortunately bare bones release
Brad Pitt: Richard
Cate Blanchett: Susan
Adrianna Barraza: Amelia
Gael Garcia Bernal: Santiago
Rinko Kikuchi: Chieko
Elle Fanning: Debbie
Nathan Gamble: Mike
Mustapha Rachidi: Abdullah
Koji Yakusho: Yasujiro
Directed By: Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu
Theatrical Release Date: October 27, 2006
DVD Release Date: February 20, 2007
Running Time: 2 hours and 22 minutes
Rated R for violence, some graphic nudity, sexual content, language and some drug use.
The Film
After viewing Babel for a second time, I realized just how accessible the film is. It has something for every type of moviegoer. That is a fact. If you prefer action, you can find it here. Perhaps drama is your penchant, artistic storytelling, or magnificent performances. Whatever your cup of tea is, it would be impossible not to be entertained by this brilliant film. In my first review, I awarded a 9.5 to the film because of how heartbreaking certain storylines were. I have since changed my opinion. This is a masterpiece which also proves that Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu gets better as a filmmaker with each offering. This is a provocative, multifaceted, funny, and disturbing film that deserves any award it receives.
Babel is yet another glorious addition to the seemingly unstoppable category of cinema known as the hyperlink film. It is a term that was coined by Film Comment critic Allison Quart, and made famous by Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert. These pictures deal with multiple storylines and several characters. Frequently these people are from various locations around the world. Their respective storylines always interweave with each other, sometimes subtly, and sometimes more obvious in nature. Oftentimes the characters do not fully understand how each life and/or event connects with each other. The definition is more complicated, but make no mistake, this genre is overwhelmingly fascinating and ultimately changing our outlook on film.
After Amores Perros in 2002 and 21 Grams in 2004, Babel is Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s most powerful offering to date. He has become a master of the hyperlink art with his third installment into the genre. Perhaps the most mesmerizing facet of Babel is the general theme that surrounds the characters. Syriana dealt with the oil process and Traffic with drugs, but this presents a more complex lesson. This is a profoundly devastating and grand accomplishment that has such an unblemished structure, captivating plots, and dynamic performances by the ensemble cast.
Four stories lace together from the countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico, and Japan, to the city of San Diego. The first involves a Moroccan village where Abdullah (Mustapha Rachidi), a father of two boys, has just purchased a rifle and some cartridges. The young boys are sent out as hunters to kill jackals, but after they recklessly fire at vehicles from a mountain, they end up running in terror from the outcome of their act. The second storyline concerns an American couple, Richard (Brad Pitt) and Susan (Cate Blanchett), who are attempting to enjoy a vacation in Morocco. Their relationship problems cease when Susan is struck by a bullet while traveling in a bus. The experience erupts into an worldwide incident of suspected terrorism. Meanwhile, the third storyline follows Debbie (Elle Fanning) and Mike (Nathan Gamble), the children of Susan and Richard, who are being cared for by the Amelia (Adrianna Barraza). Due to the injury, Richard and Susan beg Amelia to keep watching the children. Amelia is left with no choice but to haul the two kids along with her to Mexico because her son is getting married. The last plot has to do with Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi), a deaf mute teenager that is struggling every day to find affection from males. On top of her disability, her mother previously committed suicide, which has left the bond between her and her father as stressful and silent. Each action carries with it, enormous and shocking consequences.
Even minor and seemingly insignificant actions can balloon and escalate into inconceivable detriments that affect groups of people living nations away. Sometimes it is necessary to envision the big picture of certain choices because one never knows how minor negligence can progressively proliferate. This multifaceted narrative confronts many important issues by utilizing such a gracefully treacherous technique. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu and ambitious screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga also touch on strenuous communication obstacles and the consequences of global politics. Innaritu’s flexible camera work, and Rodrigo Prieto’s striking cinematography capture gorgeous locations that evoke impressions of dread, splendor, and escalating tension. The substance blends seamlessly with Oscar winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla’s hushed score. The broad range of topics Innaritu covers commence with internal struggles to those of international magnitude. Remarkably, a respect for each country involved is constantly maintained. Other film buffs may argue, but Babel is easily Innaritu’s best, most organized, and most approachable feat.
Each and every performance should be given special acknowledgment, but two in particular stand out. The first is Brad Pitt, who conveys some of his most compelling work in years. He is almost unrecognizable behind the worn clothing and gray beard. Only when a close up of his face is shown, does one remember this is one half of Brangelina. He was unjustly snubbed of an Oscar nomination this year. Instead Alan Arkin got the spot, and while he was good, Pitt was better. I have never been so pleased with his presence. His on screen wife, played forcefully by Cate Blanchett, does not have a great deal of dialogue, but exhibits her muscle through the pain and angst in her face. Gael Garcia Bernal (The Motorcycle Diaries, Amores Perros) lends a lasting, witty, intelligent, and troubling display as Santiago, nephew of Nanny Amelia. Amelia, Adriana Barraza’s portrayal is soaked with authenticity, tenderness, and intrepidness. The other role that stands out is that of Chieko, portrayed evocatively by Rinko Kikuchi. Her story is so moving, distressing, and arousing that it goes above and beyond the strength that the other sub-plots occupy.
This conclusion of Innaritu’s outstanding and mastermind trilogy that followed Amores Perros and 21 Grams is one of the most awarding jewels of 2006. And besides the terrific storylines, the title itself exposes such overwhelming creativity. The history behind “Babel” stems from Genesis, Chapter 11, in the Bible. Humanity decided to make a tower, named Babel, which reached all the way to the Heavens. The people were making a name for themselves, instead of showing proper devotion to the God that created them in the first place. God then unleashed his temper with a punishment that had the workers speaking different languages (so they could not communicate), and subsequently moved them to various spots around the Earth. If you hadn’t guessed, this tale was supposed to explain the existence each race and language. The tower was never completed. Innaritu reveals fluently how this notion can apply to present times.
This Golden Globe winning film uses numerous languages. In addition, each time frame unravels at a different pace. Nevertheless, all questions are answered, and all dots are connected in the end. Babel is a film that should not be explained in too much depth for those who have not seen it. Too much talk would spoil the magnificence. Babel may appear perplexing, but that is not the case. This is a fully developed achievement that leaves you emotionally charged and shaken to the core. This is not a film illustrating good versus evil. It is about diverse cultures, how easy it is to feel lost and misplaced in this puzzling world, and the fact that anyone can influence anybody at any time.
The Audio
The most memorable sound is right at the beginning when that gun shot is fired down off the mountain. The audio is sharp, unpolluted, and relaxed. The volume is very suitable as I did not have to adjust the level to any extreme. The dialogue is exceptionally clear and lucid. All the foreign languages have subtitles that are easy to read and follow also. The sequences involving action were both intense and distinct. One of the pleasing aspects of this disc is that inserted are many different audio options. We have Dolby Digital English 5.1, Dolby Digital English 2.0, Dolby Digital French 5.1, as well as alternate subtitles in English and Spanish.
The Video
Despite that fact that this DVD was hurried into stores, the technical side of things is absolutely pristine and spotless. The picture is beautiful and breathtaking. This appears as impressive as it did in the theaters with blue sky and sizzling sun of the desert, to the starry night and lit up area of a Japanese city. Certain sub-plots were designed to display some grain to separate the stories better, while others are more polished. Sometimes grain is welcomed. This transfer is well-defined, complete, and elegant. Babel is presented in a widescreen format. In case you didn’t know, the black bars on the top and bottom of the screen are normal. This was enhanced for 16x9 television sets.
The Packaging
Babel has been distributed in a fine looking, but standard keep case with no booklet, chapter listing sheet, nor any advertisements inside. All we get is the disc itself. The cover is simply a copy of the attractive movie poster. This case also has the security clips on the side which are supposed to help prevent stealing. Sometimes you don’t notice they are there and try to rip open the DVD.
The Extras
A little history on Inarritu’s DVD releases is in order. 21 Grams was recently re-issued with the one and only extra. It was a “making of” featurette. His first film Amores Perros had a “behind the scenes” featurette and a production commentary track. In other words, his films usually don’t have a lot of extras, but hey, we are glad to have the film on DVD in some form. Maybe a collector’s edition will be on the horizon if it wins some Academy Awards, but I would not hold my breath.
Theatrical Trailer (2:33) – I saw this trailer many times. It was a well molded preview that explained the movie briefly and exposed adequate clips of the various storylines without spoiling anything.
Previews (12:35) - This includes trailers for An Inconvenient Truth, Black Snake Moan, a glimpse at the upcoming movie Things We Lost in the Fire starring Benicio Del Toro, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, and Flags of Our Fathers.
The Film: 10.0/10.0
The Audio: 10.0/10.0
The Video: 9.0/10.0
The Packaging: 6.0/10.0
The Extras: 2.0/10.0
The 411: Babel is a great film. It is Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s best and most soaring triumph as a filmmaker. While not every storyline is upbeat, each one is definitely thought provoking and meaningful. This DVD is not loaded with special features to watch, but it is better than nothing. These days every DVD is released in this manner, and then a “collector’s edition” double dip arrives months later. I certainly hope that a superior version of Babel is made and released, but as I said, Inarritu’s films don’t have many extras in general. Nevertheless, the sound and picture are flawless, and of course you will be entranced by the film. It is a safe bet just to buy this now.
