Blu-ray Review Parasite – Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Sam Posten]

The Park and Kim families are a study in contrasts, living in modern day South Korea. The Kims live at the bottom of society, barely scraping by on stolen food, stolen wifi, and huddled in the smallest possible semi-basement, with only half their small living space above ground. The Kims have it all: A huge house designed by a famous architect. Fresh and plentiful food. Tutors for their kids. Glorious trees, verdant grass, and open spaces.
The Kims begin worming their way in to the Park’s lives. First their son is hired as a replacement tutor, and he recommends his mother as a replacement house keeper, his father as a driver, and sister as an art therapist. The Parks, for all their money, are both naive and dismissive of the qualities of their lower class support team, leading them to trust the Kims at their words and barely recognizing that their new servants could know...

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[Robert Harris]

I’m probably in the minority. I saw this film in 4k and Atmos, with the filmmaker and lead actor.

And while I found portions amusing - I was thinking Sturges - I ended up disliking the film immensely.

 

[Jeffrey D]

It’s not an easy film to “like”- Parasite is the correct name for what takes place- despicable opportunists with no moral compass. I thought it was a clever film.

 

[Robert Harris]

It’s not an easy film to “like”- Parasite is the correct name for what takes place- despicable opportunists with no moral compass. I thought it was a clever film.

My dislike was not the darkness the set over the tale, but rather the connective device between the first two acts, which seemed an inopportune use of the Marx Bros. Stateroom episode, after an unnecessary event.

 

[Sam Posten]

I don’t believe we are supposed to like any of the characters but we are supposed to at least sympathize or empathize with them. We all have our faults and sometimes it takes outside forces to shake their effects to the surface.

 

[Tino]

I loved the film and it was tied with 1917 for my favorite film released last year. Brilliant.

 

[sidburyjr]

Are the extras in English or Korean? The description at Criterion doesn’t say. In fact it doesn’t even mention subtitles but I assume they are available. I do wish Criterion would start adding subbed sound tracks to its foreign language films

 

[Carlo_M]

I waited patiently for the 4K disc and bought it, relishing in the fact that my patience helped me avoid a BD purchase which came several weeks earlier.

But reading those extras, looks like Criterion may succeed in getting me to double dip on this title on blu ray after all...

 

[Sam Posten]

Are the extras in English or Korean? The description at Criterion doesn’t say. In fact it doesn’t even mention subtitles but I assume they are available. I do wish Criterion would start adding subbed sound tracks to its foreign language films

Mixed but mostly Korean! One is in French!

 

[Tina_H_V]

Great review!!!! I will be picking this edition up for XMAS...and making it my 2021 New Year’s Midnight Movie!!!!

 

[Sam Posten]

Lmao

 

[B-ROLL]

I waited patiently for the 4K disc and bought it, relishing in the fact that my patience helped me avoid a BD purchase which came several weeks earlier.

But reading those extras, looks like Criterion may succeed in getting me to double dip on this title on blu ray after all...

I picked up the 4K during a Best Buy Black Friday sale for $10.00 and the Criterion from Barnes & Noble. I would argue not to waste your time with the Universal blu-ray - that's included with the 4K - and get the Criterion for the supplements (and alternate monochrome version if you feel it necessary) and use the 4K for future viewings.

I think an appreciation of Korean cinema may be important to the enjoyment of Parasite - but Bong Jun-Ho considers Hitchcock among inspirations.