Fight Club (1999/Fox Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B+     Sound: A-     Extras: C     Film: A

 

 

What started out as a cult favorite has in the past ten years exploded into a fan favorite across the board.  Many individuals don’t understand nor care to understand the depth of Fight Club or David Fincher’s genius in bringing the film to life; but nevertheless they enjoy it on some level.  It is odd to think that Fight Club was released over ten years ago now as it has aged flawlessly and remains as insanely fresh and creative as the day one.  From the moment the film starts it is obvious there is more then meets the eye; as David Fincher has created a twisted thriller that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

 

The movie starts off as a nameless office employee, played by Edward Norton, seeks medical help for his insomnia as he has become increasingly displeased with his mundane life.  The doctor refuses to prescribe any medication and instead he reevaluates his life by submerging himself in what true suffering is; recommending a support group of sorts.  The narrator (voiced by Edward Norton) decides to attend a testicular cancer support group, posing as a fellow victim.  Feeling liberated by finding a means of emotional release his (again, Edward Norton's character) insomnia is cured, but has subsequently become addicted to victim support groups.  While at these meetings he crosses paths with a fellow poser named Marla (Helena Bonham Carter); being disturbed by her presence (though hypocritical) he does his best to avoid her.

 

He then strikes up a conversation with a man named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) on business trip, but upon returning home finds that his pristine apartment has been destroyed by an explosion.  Unsure of what to do Edward Norton calls Tyler and agrees to meet him at a bar.  The two men get in a heated conversation about the disgusting nature of consumerism and Tyler offers Edward Norton a place to stay.  After exiting the bar Tyler requests that Edward Norton hit him and though hesitant at first the two suddenly find themselves in a brawl outside the bar.  The two gain a crowd of onlookers and soon Fight Club is born in the bar’s basement.

 

A seemingly wild emotional and physical release, Fight Clubs spring up across the country; with the anti-consumerism anarchist group forming concurrently called Project Mayhem.  Tyler is the leader of Project Mayhem, inciting riots, destruction, grotesque acts and all out chaos.  Not before long the group gets out of control and with a member’s death, Edward Norton shuts down Project Mayhem.  Not one to go down easy Tyler Durden is traveling the country and Edward Norton as the narrator is hot on his trail.  But after a people start addressing Edward Norton as Tyler Durden, he soon realizes there is more to Project Mayhem and his life than he had originally realized.

 

The film is truly a breathtaking feat that seamlessly blends entertainment, action and intriguing storyline.  Whereas the film tries to make the events of the story more concrete than the book had originally intended, I don’t feel there could have been a more faithful adaptation.  The casting was spot on and the gritty, dirty and grimy atmosphere of the film only makes the entire experience more engaging.  The film displays the emptiness of being “the every man” and as the film progresses we see the “every man” destroy everything he knows to be true, to build it back from the ground up.  He had been living a life where he felt numb and lifeless and through the invention of Fight Club he once again felt alive.  He now had a means to let go of materialism and through his suffering found an odd peace that was soon to come crumbling down as well.

 

Fight Club is a great film that will truly stand the test of time; no matter what punches are thrown at it.

 

The technical features are a beautiful display on Blu-ray.  The picture is presented in a 2.40 X 1 1080p MPEG-4 AVC widescreen that is practically pristine as the image is crisp, clear, and clean with solid contrast and even better detail.  Details that were absent in every other release of Fight Club jump off the screen as every tooth, blood drop and grain of dust pop.  Whereas I have found no source to suggest David Fincher was too hands on for this Blu-ray, it does seem that FOX took the time to get this right top to bottom.  Some may criticize the film for the gritty look, but the grit and grime is intentional with a consistent appearance that David Fincher often utilizes.  Moving on, the sound is top rate in its 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio that explodes with life.  The sound quality is amazingly crisp with concise dialogue, sparkling ambient noise and explosive directionality as the surprisingly aggressive track gets everything done in just the right way.

 

The extras are heartbreaking to me as they are a direct port over from the DVD and I would have like a 10 year catch up with David Fincher, cast and crew.  The standard definition extras include Behind the Scenes Vignettes with Multiple Angles and Commentaries; Deleted and Alternate Scenes; Trailers, TV and Internet Spots; PSAs; Music Video; Promotional Galleries/Art Galleries.  There are a few Blu-ray exclusives that include A Hit in the Ear: Ren Klyce and Sound Design of Fight Club; Flogging Fight Club Featurette; Insomniac Mode: I am Jack’s Search Index.  The most impressive extra is the Insomniac Mode, which allows the viewer to search through a list of topics that ZAP you to a distinct moment in the film or extras; in the end answering whatever the proposed topic was.  All in all amazing with certain extras and sad in other ways.

 

All I have to say is, you need this Blu-ray.

 

 

-   Michael P. Dougherty II