Blu-ray Review: Get Out

Blu-ray Reviews, Film, Reviews, Top Story

When I saw Get Out in the theaters it was a terrifying, unsettling experience, the way a great horror film should be. Watching it a second time on Blu-Ray for this review made me realize – not only is it a great horror film, but it is a great film. Period.

Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) is an African American guy dating a white girl, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams). The film opens with Chris being worried to go meet her parents for the first time at their house. Any new boyfriend would feel a little nerve-wracked at this prospect, but added to that worry is the fact that Rose hasn’t told her parents that Chris is black. Rose assures Chris, that her parents aren’t racist and everything will be fine.

When they arrive at the Armitage’s home, Chris notices they have a black gardener and maid which obviously doesn’t sit well with him. Very strange things begin to happen and Chris’s friend Rod (Lil Rel Howery) warns him to get the hell out of there, but Chris sticks it out. Things get even weirder when a group of old white people show up and are showing a strange interest in Chris.

I would love to tell you more about the plot, but I already feel like I’ve said too much. This really is a film that is best experienced knowing as little about it as possible.

Beyond being a fantastically creepy story, the performances here elevate the film to an entirely new level. Kaluuya is amazing as Chris. There are often long scenes where he says very little, but his facial expressions speak volumes. Perhaps the best casting in the film is Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener as Dean and Missy Armitage, Rose’s parents. Whitford and Keener are such likable actors that you instantly feel comfortable around them, even when things start getting weird, they totally throw you off your guard. Howery adds a nice level of humor to the film as Chris’s friend that the film definitely needs. Even Allison Williams is great in this film.

What’s great watching this film a second time is seeing all the subtle foreshadowing that basically spells out everything that’s going on if you know what to look for. It makes it even creepier on different level, because you already know what is about to happen and now you’re seeing the warning signs that you and Chris didn’t see the first time around.

No one expected that comedic genius Jordan Peele’s first film was going to be a horror film. However, with it’s strong socially conscious message that goes right along with his humor it is easy to see how this film was his baby.

There are some pretty solid special features, Peele’s commentary is particularly enlightening. He points out various horror influences throughout the film as well as getting into the meat and bones of what he was trying to say with these characters and scenes. This is a man who obviously knew exactly what he was doing, which is amazing for a first time director. The alternate ending is particularly interesting after he explains why he changed it.

Even if you’re not a big fan of the horror genre, this is still a film you owe it to yourself it see. With a unique and freaky story with some superb acting from everyone involved, this film will stay with you long after you’ve seen it, whether you want it to or not!

The film is presented in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio and Dolby 5.1 DTS-HD audio. This is a great looking and sounding film and is well presented here.

Extras include: Alt. Ending (4 min.) Deleted Scenes (23 min.) Unveiling the Horror (9 min.) This is a typical puff piece, but do not watch it before you’ve seen the film, it is loaded with spoilers! Q&A with Jordan Peele and the cast (5 min.) Chance the Rapper sits down with Peele and crew after a screening in Chicago. Jordan Peele Audio Commentary.

Get Out is a great film worth of multiple viewings. Yes, you lose some of the shock the second go around, since you know what is coming, but you pick up on so much more. I hear Peele has a few more Social commentary horror films he wants to make, and I for one can’t wait!

Universal presents Get Out. Written and Directed by Jordan Peele. Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Lil Rel Howery, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, Caleb Landry Jones and Stephen Root. Running time: 104 min. Rating: R for violence, bloody images, and language including sexual references. Released on Blu-Ray: March 23, 2017.

Mike Noyes received his Masters Degree in Film from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. A few of his short films can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/user/mikebnoyes. He recently published his first novel which you can buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Days-Years-Mike-Noyes-ebook/dp/B07D48NT6B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528774538&sr=8-1&keywords=seven+days+seven+years