Synopsis

Based on the bestselling book by Michael Lewis, this movie details the true story of four outsiders who risked everything to take on the big banks during the greatest financial fraud in American history. With just a touch of humor mixed with unbelievable facts, this movie was up for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and one of the top 10 films of 2015.

The Big Short - Blu-Ray Movie Review

Specifications
The Big Short - Blu-Ray Movie Review
Paramount Studios
1080p, DTS:X, 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
2016, Rated R, 2 hours 17 mins.
Starring: Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling & Brad Pitt
Directed by Adam McKayRating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:

Violence: None
Sex: Strippers
Language: Yes

The Big Short - Blu-Ray Movie Review

Commentary

With a star studded cast, this film manages to make a movie about banking and the subprime housing market entertaining. McKay wisely puts in asides (when a character addresses you directly about what is going on in a particular scene) that not only provides some humor, but actually helps you understand a certain aspect of what the characters are talking about, like CDO’s, tranches and other esoteric stuff. I’ll admit there are a lot of things going on in this movie that are hard to follow, but the director takes his time and keeps the excitement and suspense slowly build to a satisfying conclusion. I know a whole lot more about the housing market collapse than I did before watching this movie. After seeing this film, I can see why Bernie Sanders appeals to many people. What the banking industry did here was criminal and the fact that we, the taxpayers, were on the hook for the bailout really makes you get hot under the collar. It would almost seem farcical if it weren’t true. The acting is great; especially Steve Carell and Bale’s character has a false eye (CGI) that really creeps you out after awhile. The amazing thing here is that only one person (scapegoat) went to jail over this financial fiasco and you have to ask yourself, “Has anything changed?” -I highly recommend this film for both entertainment and educational purposes.

The Big Short - Blu-Ray Movie Review

Technical

This is the first BD I have reviewed with DTS:X, which I do not have the ability to decode. Hopefully, I will by the end of this year (as well as reviewing in UHD). That said, the 5.1 sound was articulate and fairly active in the surrounds for a dialog based film. The music was lively and the surrounds really put you in the strip club, or conference rooms. Colors are good as are detail and shadow definition in the interior scenes. This was shot on film and some grain is present throughout, but not distractingly so.

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There is a “housing bubble” of extras with almost 2 hours worth of goodies, including: DVD version, In the Tranches: Casting, The Big Leap with McKay, Unlikely Heroes: The Characters of Big Short, The House of Cards: The Rise of the Fall, Getting Real: Recreating an era and some deleted scenes.

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Extras

Besides a DVD and digital copy, there are: In the Tranches: Casting , The Big Leap: Adam McKay, Unlikely Heroes: The Characters of The Big Short, The House of Cards: The Rise of the Fall, Getting Real: Recreating an Era and of course some Deleted Scenes.

The Big Short - Blu-Ray Movie Review