Official Synopsis:
“When the banks committed the greatest fraud in US history, four outsiders risked it all to take them down. Based on the unbelievable true story and best-selling book from the author of The Blind Side and Moneyball, critics are calling The Big Short “brilliant and explosive.””
“Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt turn in career-best performances in “one of the most absorbing and entertaining films of the year.””
The Big Short follows three separate story-lines prior to the housing market crash in the mid-2000s. Unlike similar films tackling the same subject such as Margin Call, these stories are from the perspective of outsiders who decide to bet against the banks believing that the housing market is built on a bubble that is about to collapse.
The first thing that struck me about The Big Short was how accessible it was to the viewer who knows nothing about bank loans, mortgages, or the housing market. Told through a very subtle documentary style, it appeals to the average viewer and strives to explain complicated ideas in a very entertaining way. In fact, one of the most interesting things is how it takes celebrity personalities who break the fourth wall and talk directly to the camera, taking a break from the film to explain a concept that is being discussed.
Although there are a lot of characters to follow, the film weaves fluidly through the story-lines and never presents a dull moment. In a film about the housing market, that is a phenomenal feat in itself.
Adam McKay branches out from his normal comedic films to write and direct The Big Short. He brings a very unique style to the film that in some scenes are visually stunning. As I mentioned before, this film has a very subtle documentary style to it, appointing Ryan Gosling as the narrator who guides us through the more complicated scenes. Often, characters will talk directly to the viewer, breaking the fourth wall and making the audience feel like they are part of the story, fully understanding the intricacies of the subject matter. The pace of the film is very fast, with some scenes brilliantly edited with quick cuts and information that almost assaults the viewer. This is a fast paced environment, and that is conveyed quite well through the film.
The ensemble cast for The Big Short is what makes this film so memorable. Christian Bale delivers a very strong performance as the eccentric Michael Burry. Ryan Gosling delivers as well, playing a key character as well as our guide throughout the film. The star that really shines in this film is Steve Carell. Honestly, I wasn’t that impressed with his performance in Foxcatcher. In this film, however, you almost instantly cease to see him as Michael Scott and see him as the tortured character of Mark Baum who, through personal tragedy, has redefined his outlook on his career.
The Big Short paints a frightening picture of the financial status of our country during this time. It brings to light a terrible event that happened less than ten years ago and helps the average movie-goer to understand what transpired and how easily it can happen again.
Video
The 1080p transfer on the Blu-ray disc is very impressive. There is strong detail throughout, great balance on all levels. There were no noticeable defects or blemishes throughout the film.
Audio
The audio presentation on The Big Short is perhaps one of the best features. It features DTS:X, which, like Dolby Atmos, adds height to sonic space of your living room. Although this may not be the perfect film to show off your DTS:X system to your friends, there are some really great moments in which you can hear the difference. Levels are excellent in all the surrounds, as well as the center channel. Dialogue is clear, without too much interference with the levels of the surrounds. If you haven’t upgraded your receiver just yet, this will play in DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1.
Special Features
Paramount has put together some great special features for this set. You’re going to see:
In the Trances: 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
Deleted Scenes
These are very informative and definitely worth taking a look.
The Big Short delivers on all levels. Brilliant performances, an entertaining, fast paced story that is never inaccessible to the viewer. Easily among the top films of the year — do yourselves a favor and pick this up!
