Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street has received the 4K treatment from Paramount, and to celebrate this they’ve also released a limited edition Steelbook for fans of the film to pick up for their collection. This is a really nice Steelbook that’s both simple, yet stylized and fitting of the film. The front of the case features Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, front and center, looking smug as ever. Behind him we have hundred dollar bills wallpapering the background. In the bottom right corner we have the film’s title, as well as Leo’s star credit and Scorsese’s picture credit. The title isn’t intrusive and much like the film it’s Leo that garners all the attention here.
Flipping the case over we have a simple continuation of the $100 bill wallpaper, which works fine here. They could’ve changed it up, added a quote or the likes, but this fairly seamless continuation from the front of the case does give the Steelbook a harmonious look as a whole.
Opening up a Steelbook is always fun, as much like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. Here we have one of the scenes more iconic moments that’s found its way into meme culture, where Belfort is shouting over the microphone at a pool party at the height of his wealth. It’s a smart choice for an interior design, as the shot is incredibly well known and it also spans across both sides of the disc perfectly.
As a whole this is a Steelbook that fans of the film will likely appreciate, as the case stands apart from the regular disc release quite nicely, and also suits the style of the film incredibly well. Definitely recommended for Steelbook collector’s out there! And now, on to the review of the film itself.
The Wolf of Wall Street is a very good movie about very bad people, which is something that Director Martin Scorsese is a master at balancing. The film is based on the 2007 memoir by Jordan Belfort (who is played by Leonardo DiCaprio) so the story is told from his perspective. While I’m sure there were a few embellishments here and there, Belfort wasn’t out to make himself look good here, as the story itself is actually quite insane.
Belfort was a stock-broker who had everything – everything – and eventually wanted too much, got greedy and his meteoric rise was only equal to his colossal fall. The film tells this story and it does so with plenty of dark comedic tones that help make the actions of the characters involved more palatable, because these are just really horrible people that did all they could, and stepped on whomever they needed in order to make whatever money they could on the market. This led to Belfort’s company landing on the FBI’s radar, and while that may deter some, it only ignited the fire under Belfort even more setting in motion an inevitable collision course between them.
Scorsese does a fantastic job here bringing this world to life and telling the story in an interesting way that keeps the story moving and the audience attentive – for the most part. My major complaint with the film is that it’s about 30-minutes too long. Now I’m all for longer movies if they require the time, but there comes a point in The Wolf of Wall Street where it feels like we’re just treading water with the characters, we know they’re bad, we know they just want to live the high life with no regard for others and there are various points where their actions just become redundant.
Had Scorsese tightened up the film by about half-an-hour then I believe it truly would have fantastic pacing that’d elevate the final product. It’s not make or break, but it’s just something that’s felt in an otherwise masterclass of acting by all those involved. DiCaprio leads the pack and is accompanied by a brilliant (and by being so, completely creepy) Jonah Hill, who plays Belfort’s partner Donnie Azoff. Margot Robbie plays Belfort’s mistress turned wife, Naomi Lapaglia and is fantastic in the role, properly showcasing someone who knew what they were doing but also grew to be happy with what they had to become someone who really highlights Belfort’s insatiable greed.
Matthew McConaughey plays a small, yet memorable part in Belfort’s early career (McConaughey would later go up against DiCaprio for the Best Actor Oscar that year and win for Dallas Buyers Club.) The supporting cast is rounded out by Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favreau, Kenneth Choi and P.J. Byrne. Everyone brings their A-game and Scorsese knows how to have them bring it out in the best way while the camera is rolling because without the right cast this is just a movie about a bunch of entitled jerks that wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining as The Wolf of Wall Street ends up being.
If you’ve yet to see the film for whatever reason I do recommend checking it out, as annoying as Belfort and his friends are as people, their story is just mind-blowing in terms of how over-the-top crazy it is. For those who have seen it and are looking to finally bring it home on 4K then know that as will be described below Paramount has done a great job with this transfer and it’s the best version of this film on the market in a stylish Steelbook to top it all off – and really, would Belfort want you owning anything less?
4K Blu-ray Video and Audio Review
If Paramount has proven anything in recent years it’s that they’re a studio to trust when it comes to releasing quality 4K versions of their library, and The Wolf of Wall Street is no different. This 2160p/Dolby Vision release of the film is sourced from a new film transfer that was supervised by Scorsese to ensure quality. This 4K delivery showcases the film better than its Blu-ray predecessor in every way, so if you already own the film and are looking for a reason to upgrade, look no further. There’s incredible detail found in every scene, with fantastic lighting, and absolute clarity on all fronts. There isn’t a moment throughout where the film drops in quality, so if you’re in the market, this is the version to own.
On the audio side of things we get more of the same top quality with the film’s already stellar DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The dialogue is crisp and clear, the sound effects blast through when required, and the soundtrack makes the scenes pop exactly how they should when the music kicks in. As a whole this is just a fantastic transfer that partners with the 4K video transfer beautifully.
Special Features:
The Wolf Pack – This is a 17-minute feature that takes a look at Scorsese’s vision for the film and how he approached Belfort’s story. The cast and crew also talk about Belfort, working on the movie, Scorsese and how he thrives with material like this, as well as some other fun character beats.
Running Wild – This feature is just over 11-minutes in length and talks about Scorsese working with DiCaprio, how Scorsese wanted creative freedom when making the movie, and how they had to piece together the book that was often all over the map into a more streamlined story for the film. It’s a solid piece of viewing for those who want to get a better look at the process of making the film.
The Wolf of Wall Street Round Table – This feature is 11-minutes in length and sees DiCaprio, Scorsese, Hill and screenwriter Terence Winter talk about their collaboration on the film, the screenplay itself, performances, the iconic party scene and more. While there aren’t many special features, what is available is fun and easy to watch.
Paramount Pictures Presents The Wolf of Wall Street. Directed by: Martin Scorsese. Written by: Terence Winter. Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favreau, Kenneth Choi, P.J. Byrne. Running time: 180 minutes. Rating: 18A. 4K Blu-ray Released: Dec. 14, 2021.
About Brendan Campbell
