| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Z for Zachariah
Lionsgate Home Entertainment // PG-13 // October 20, 2015
List Price: $24.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Film:
The harsh, ominous lands ravaged by a post-apocalyptic event provide fertile grounds for diverse personal drama to flourish within, hinged on how situations differ between survivors and, naturally, the condition of the world extending beyond them. Some embark on long journeys in search of food or refuge -- at times with younger or inexperienced people in tow -- while others hunker down in their relatively safe and sustainable areas, crafting different perspectives on the concepts of hope, compromised faith, and willpower in a desperate situation. Z for Zachariah, the latest film from Compliance writer-director Craig Zobel, unites both of these ideas into an isolated indie drama, focused on the arrival of a pair of wanderers from the sprawl of radiation-plagued lands onto the safe haven maintained by a young, abandoned country woman. Coping with unclear world-building and a stiff grip on complicated themes involving belief in a higher power, director Zobel constructs a meaningful, bracing depiction of the preservation of relationships and of mankind itself within beautifully-captured surroundings.
Based on the novel of the same name by Robert C. O'Brien, Z for Zachariah first depicts the scavenging efforts of Ann Burden (Margot Robbie) through the abandoned buildings near her valley-enclosed farm, showing her suited in makeshift protective gear. Once she arrives home, she's able to shed her suit and go about her business without the consequences of radiation, setting traps for game and cultivating a limited amount of produce. Believing herself to be alone in this miraculously preserved safe zone, she's taken aback after spotting someone in a state-of-the-art hazmat
suit, an older scientist named John Loomis (Chiwetel Ejiofor). After patching John up following his arduous trek through the country's contamination, the two attempt to figure out a way to cohabitate, developing a tentative bond that's assisted by John's technical know-how and withdrawn attitude. Their budding partnership and the awkward implications of being a man-woman pair are put to the test upon the arrival of another drifter, Caleb (Chris Pine), a simpler working man who seems more compatible with Ann's down-home traits.
Z for Zachariah doesn't delve into the details of what precisely caused the lands beyond the valley to be plagued by radiation, allowing the audience to deduce what they will as they gaze upon the valley's verdant isolation. In essence, the post-apocalyptic events that shaped this setting are streamlined into the creation of a pocket of life separate from the expanses of imminent death, a reason for those that exist within this oasis to never leave and to exploit the resources that remain, be it their property of that of another. That vagueness, the unlikely preservation of this beautiful land and its tools in the wake of society's collapse, plants the seeds for the symbolic, higher-concept angle of the film, expanding into a conflict between science and religion. Highlighted by Adam and Eve imagery spotted in books and the presence of a church on Ann's land, it becomes clear that Zobel wishes to elevate an understated philosophical conversation into a core aspect of the character drama, evenhandedly touching on the practical outlooks and concessions involved with how both sides approach "survival" under the conditions.
Don't fret, though, because this conflict over "divine intervention" exists to provide another dimension to the dynamics at play in Z for Zachariah, chiefly powered by the delicate balance between trepidation and trust among these scant survivors of a post-apocalyptic environment. Ann's mixture of industriousness and idealism are galvanized by the wide-eyed naivete given to her by Margot Robbie, whose endearing fortitude takes shape through a thick rural American accent and precautious body language in situations outside her life experiences. Chiwetel Ejiofor channels an enigmatic trustworthiness through Loomis in response, accentuating the emotionally weathered aura carried around by the character due to his downhearted history. Within the dimly-lit house nestled in the idyllic countryside, their secluded chemistry evolves into something complex under the circumstances, taking considerate individuals who wouldn't normally get intimately involved and encouraging them to do so -- overlooking differences and forgiving transgressions -- as an result of cooperation and necessity.
Z for Zachariah only reaches its most absorbing peaks once Caleb auspiciously enters the equation, though, played with an earthy, devious temperament by the traditionally slick Chris Pine. Caleb's ability to say the right things -- especially involving his belief structure -- and act comfortably around Ann at a crucial juncture in her relationship with Loomis leaves one wondering whether the gristly local is manipulating the situation by playing a long game, or whether his rustic attitude simply goes misunderstood
through the lens of suspicion. Director Zobel smartly exploits this cynicism as a source of mystery and interpretation while the trio figures things out over boozy dinners and treks throughout the valley, further complicating the surface-level thoughts that Caleb might simply be a better fit for the country girl instead of the awkward and emotionally confused scientist. Conflicts ensue over tolerance and territoriality that generate palpable tension, resulting in a restrained but poignant tempo within the scope of the contained drama.
In a gutsy creative move, Craig Zobel lets those wheels of ambiguity continue spinning throughout and after the conclusion of Z for Zachariah, asking those watching to evaluate their observations of these characters -- how they've changed, how they've stayed the same, what they're capable of -- in an ending that's bound to be polarizing among those who seek closure in their relationship dramas. Utilizing the twisted viewpoints on morality and honesty that follow with a catastrophic collapse of society, director Zobel allows the fate of all three individuals to hang in the audience's minds in a similar fashion to the fate of the world itself after a post-apocalyptic event. All those complicated, shifting impressions on the triangle of flawed survivors, the trust lost and gained and their dedication to a prosperous life on the farmland spared by the apocalypse, culminate into a deliberate yet strikingly well-crafted thought exercise that thrives on emotional and experiential context. Whether that's rewarding or cathartic enough at the end of the road will depend on the individual and their willingness to have faith.
The Blu-ray:
Video and Audio:
Z for Zachariah treks into high-definition territory by way of a hearty Blu-ray presentation from Lionsgate Home Entertainment, capturing the lush expanses of the countryside -- mostly shot in New Zealand -- and the dim interior of Ann's farmhouse in a vivid projection of the digital photography. Employing the 2.35:1-framed aspect ratio as frequently as possible to accentuate the film's aesthetic scope, this 1080p AVC transfer relishes the mountainous, verdant location with striking fluctuations in the color palette and a profuse focus on details: the proximity to the craggy terrain and weathered buildings, the dense interweaving of forests, the flutter of crops and the cascade of water. Within, the bright blasts of manmade color stand out from the landscape -- Ann's makeshift hazmat suit and green-billed cap, the red of tractor paint and gas logos -- while the warm shades of skin tones adjust impeccably to the individual scenes' demands for some really involving and natural close-ups. There's an intentional blue cast to the black levels that complicates one's critique of them, often shifting in strength and lightness between scenes; however, the contrast balance at-work here keeps contained details visible and crush to a minimum. It's a stable, frequently beautiful treatment.
Three people isolated on farmland that's intentionally surrounded by vast, dead silence naturally doesn't explore a lot of vigorous sonic fidelity, but there's still plenty of complexity to savor in this capable 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, hinged on bucolic ambiance. The sounds of insects stretching across the land, the rustle of leaves in the forest and a dog gallivanting across a wheat field, and the rushing of a waterfall into a pool engage the surround channel's atmospheric balance with fullness and delicate clarity, while tractor movement and gunshots sustain some forceful high-end activity with shrug-worthy bass response. The organic atmosphere impacting the dialogue teeters between being satisfyingly natural and moderately suppressed in terms of clarity, while the center channel projects subtle touches of activity inside the house -- shoes tumbling to the floor, music playing, scrapes on a skillet -- with nimble high-definition clarity that feels constricted through the center channel. Imperfect, but satisfying. Engish and Spanish subtitles are available.
Special Features:
Beyond a collection of largely inconsequential Deleted Scenes (6:00, 16x9 HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (2:33, 16x9 HD), the Blu-ray arrives with a rather standard Making of Z for Zachariah (11:28, 16x9 HD) featurette that collects interviews, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage into a pretty sparse but watchable supplement. It's a tad heavy on the clips, actually, and offers only tidbits of insight. The raw Extended Interviews (20:14, 16x9 HD) with the cast and crew that were clipped and edited for the making-of pieces have also been included, most of which are standard, redundant press-kit fare; however, it's worth checking out the full footage with screenwriter Nissar Modi to pick up on his inspiration behind penning the adaptation.
Lionsgate Home Entertainment have also included a Digital HD Download code, as well as a snazzy Mondo poster card.
Final Thoughts:
As the post-apocalyptic genre grows closer and closer to being depleted of innovation, Z for Zachariah reaches back to source material from the '70s to find a compelling mixture of situation drama and symbolic themes that manage to feel novel within now-commonplace plotting. Granted, its conflict between science and religion can appear labored at times, while the insistent vagueness of what's happened before, during, and after the story of Ann's farmhouse and the two wasteland wanderers she encounters could easy frustrate. However, these are also the components of what makes Craig Zobel's tweaked adaptation resonate as genuinely as it does, fueled by the involving chemistry -- both intimate and antagonistic -- that forms between all three talented actors in their complex roles, building an emotional and suspenseful mood that commingles with the striking isolated environment surrounding them. In a genre that's been thoroughly mined, Z for Zachariah finds a potent way of expressing what it does from a different set of perspectives. Lionsgate's Blu-ray looks great and sounds terrific, though its making-of doc and redundant interviews leave something to be desired for the extras. Recommended.
Thomas Spurlin, Staff Reviewer -- DVDTalk Reviews | Personal Blog/Site
 |
The harsh, ominous lands ravaged by a post-apocalyptic event provide fertile grounds for diverse personal drama to flourish within, hinged on how situations differ between survivors and, naturally, the condition of the world extending beyond them. Some embark on long journeys in search of food or refuge -- at times with younger or inexperienced people in tow -- while others hunker down in their relatively safe and sustainable areas, crafting different perspectives on the concepts of hope, compromised faith, and willpower in a desperate situation. Z for Zachariah, the latest film from Compliance writer-director Craig Zobel, unites both of these ideas into an isolated indie drama, focused on the arrival of a pair of wanderers from the sprawl of radiation-plagued lands onto the safe haven maintained by a young, abandoned country woman. Coping with unclear world-building and a stiff grip on complicated themes involving belief in a higher power, director Zobel constructs a meaningful, bracing depiction of the preservation of relationships and of mankind itself within beautifully-captured surroundings.
Based on the novel of the same name by Robert C. O'Brien, Z for Zachariah first depicts the scavenging efforts of Ann Burden (Margot Robbie) through the abandoned buildings near her valley-enclosed farm, showing her suited in makeshift protective gear. Once she arrives home, she's able to shed her suit and go about her business without the consequences of radiation, setting traps for game and cultivating a limited amount of produce. Believing herself to be alone in this miraculously preserved safe zone, she's taken aback after spotting someone in a state-of-the-art hazmat
suit, an older scientist named John Loomis (Chiwetel Ejiofor). After patching John up following his arduous trek through the country's contamination, the two attempt to figure out a way to cohabitate, developing a tentative bond that's assisted by John's technical know-how and withdrawn attitude. Their budding partnership and the awkward implications of being a man-woman pair are put to the test upon the arrival of another drifter, Caleb (Chris Pine), a simpler working man who seems more compatible with Ann's down-home traits. Z for Zachariah doesn't delve into the details of what precisely caused the lands beyond the valley to be plagued by radiation, allowing the audience to deduce what they will as they gaze upon the valley's verdant isolation. In essence, the post-apocalyptic events that shaped this setting are streamlined into the creation of a pocket of life separate from the expanses of imminent death, a reason for those that exist within this oasis to never leave and to exploit the resources that remain, be it their property of that of another. That vagueness, the unlikely preservation of this beautiful land and its tools in the wake of society's collapse, plants the seeds for the symbolic, higher-concept angle of the film, expanding into a conflict between science and religion. Highlighted by Adam and Eve imagery spotted in books and the presence of a church on Ann's land, it becomes clear that Zobel wishes to elevate an understated philosophical conversation into a core aspect of the character drama, evenhandedly touching on the practical outlooks and concessions involved with how both sides approach "survival" under the conditions.
Don't fret, though, because this conflict over "divine intervention" exists to provide another dimension to the dynamics at play in Z for Zachariah, chiefly powered by the delicate balance between trepidation and trust among these scant survivors of a post-apocalyptic environment. Ann's mixture of industriousness and idealism are galvanized by the wide-eyed naivete given to her by Margot Robbie, whose endearing fortitude takes shape through a thick rural American accent and precautious body language in situations outside her life experiences. Chiwetel Ejiofor channels an enigmatic trustworthiness through Loomis in response, accentuating the emotionally weathered aura carried around by the character due to his downhearted history. Within the dimly-lit house nestled in the idyllic countryside, their secluded chemistry evolves into something complex under the circumstances, taking considerate individuals who wouldn't normally get intimately involved and encouraging them to do so -- overlooking differences and forgiving transgressions -- as an result of cooperation and necessity.
Z for Zachariah only reaches its most absorbing peaks once Caleb auspiciously enters the equation, though, played with an earthy, devious temperament by the traditionally slick Chris Pine. Caleb's ability to say the right things -- especially involving his belief structure -- and act comfortably around Ann at a crucial juncture in her relationship with Loomis leaves one wondering whether the gristly local is manipulating the situation by playing a long game, or whether his rustic attitude simply goes misunderstood
through the lens of suspicion. Director Zobel smartly exploits this cynicism as a source of mystery and interpretation while the trio figures things out over boozy dinners and treks throughout the valley, further complicating the surface-level thoughts that Caleb might simply be a better fit for the country girl instead of the awkward and emotionally confused scientist. Conflicts ensue over tolerance and territoriality that generate palpable tension, resulting in a restrained but poignant tempo within the scope of the contained drama. In a gutsy creative move, Craig Zobel lets those wheels of ambiguity continue spinning throughout and after the conclusion of Z for Zachariah, asking those watching to evaluate their observations of these characters -- how they've changed, how they've stayed the same, what they're capable of -- in an ending that's bound to be polarizing among those who seek closure in their relationship dramas. Utilizing the twisted viewpoints on morality and honesty that follow with a catastrophic collapse of society, director Zobel allows the fate of all three individuals to hang in the audience's minds in a similar fashion to the fate of the world itself after a post-apocalyptic event. All those complicated, shifting impressions on the triangle of flawed survivors, the trust lost and gained and their dedication to a prosperous life on the farmland spared by the apocalypse, culminate into a deliberate yet strikingly well-crafted thought exercise that thrives on emotional and experiential context. Whether that's rewarding or cathartic enough at the end of the road will depend on the individual and their willingness to have faith.
The Blu-ray:
 |  |
Video and Audio:
Z for Zachariah treks into high-definition territory by way of a hearty Blu-ray presentation from Lionsgate Home Entertainment, capturing the lush expanses of the countryside -- mostly shot in New Zealand -- and the dim interior of Ann's farmhouse in a vivid projection of the digital photography. Employing the 2.35:1-framed aspect ratio as frequently as possible to accentuate the film's aesthetic scope, this 1080p AVC transfer relishes the mountainous, verdant location with striking fluctuations in the color palette and a profuse focus on details: the proximity to the craggy terrain and weathered buildings, the dense interweaving of forests, the flutter of crops and the cascade of water. Within, the bright blasts of manmade color stand out from the landscape -- Ann's makeshift hazmat suit and green-billed cap, the red of tractor paint and gas logos -- while the warm shades of skin tones adjust impeccably to the individual scenes' demands for some really involving and natural close-ups. There's an intentional blue cast to the black levels that complicates one's critique of them, often shifting in strength and lightness between scenes; however, the contrast balance at-work here keeps contained details visible and crush to a minimum. It's a stable, frequently beautiful treatment.
Three people isolated on farmland that's intentionally surrounded by vast, dead silence naturally doesn't explore a lot of vigorous sonic fidelity, but there's still plenty of complexity to savor in this capable 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, hinged on bucolic ambiance. The sounds of insects stretching across the land, the rustle of leaves in the forest and a dog gallivanting across a wheat field, and the rushing of a waterfall into a pool engage the surround channel's atmospheric balance with fullness and delicate clarity, while tractor movement and gunshots sustain some forceful high-end activity with shrug-worthy bass response. The organic atmosphere impacting the dialogue teeters between being satisfyingly natural and moderately suppressed in terms of clarity, while the center channel projects subtle touches of activity inside the house -- shoes tumbling to the floor, music playing, scrapes on a skillet -- with nimble high-definition clarity that feels constricted through the center channel. Imperfect, but satisfying. Engish and Spanish subtitles are available.
Special Features:
Beyond a collection of largely inconsequential Deleted Scenes (6:00, 16x9 HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (2:33, 16x9 HD), the Blu-ray arrives with a rather standard Making of Z for Zachariah (11:28, 16x9 HD) featurette that collects interviews, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage into a pretty sparse but watchable supplement. It's a tad heavy on the clips, actually, and offers only tidbits of insight. The raw Extended Interviews (20:14, 16x9 HD) with the cast and crew that were clipped and edited for the making-of pieces have also been included, most of which are standard, redundant press-kit fare; however, it's worth checking out the full footage with screenwriter Nissar Modi to pick up on his inspiration behind penning the adaptation.
Lionsgate Home Entertainment have also included a Digital HD Download code, as well as a snazzy Mondo poster card.
Final Thoughts:
As the post-apocalyptic genre grows closer and closer to being depleted of innovation, Z for Zachariah reaches back to source material from the '70s to find a compelling mixture of situation drama and symbolic themes that manage to feel novel within now-commonplace plotting. Granted, its conflict between science and religion can appear labored at times, while the insistent vagueness of what's happened before, during, and after the story of Ann's farmhouse and the two wasteland wanderers she encounters could easy frustrate. However, these are also the components of what makes Craig Zobel's tweaked adaptation resonate as genuinely as it does, fueled by the involving chemistry -- both intimate and antagonistic -- that forms between all three talented actors in their complex roles, building an emotional and suspenseful mood that commingles with the striking isolated environment surrounding them. In a genre that's been thoroughly mined, Z for Zachariah finds a potent way of expressing what it does from a different set of perspectives. Lionsgate's Blu-ray looks great and sounds terrific, though its making-of doc and redundant interviews leave something to be desired for the extras. Recommended.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||