'Benjamin Button' Jumps Straight to Criterion
Filed under: Classics, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Paramount, Distribution, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Brad Pitt, Home Entertainment
Some films languish, waiting for their proper Criterion release, looking enviously at Michael Bay's Armageddon. But at least one film has been given the Criterion treatment on its very first go -- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The DVD hit store shelves on May 5 in three different formats: a Single-Disc DVD, and a Two-Disc Criterion in standard and Blu-Ray. As is the case with all Criterion releases, Button is coming loaded with more than three hours of bonus features:
The fact that this is getting the Criterion treatment so soon is causing quite a stir -- after all, this is it. This is the definitive release, and the company has given it the "important classic" crown. Is Benjamin Button deserving of it?
- The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button four-part documentary. Academy Award-nominated director David Fincher introduces the surprising beginnings of what would become an epic masterpiece including the casting of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the decision to change the location of the story to New Orleans and more.
- Follow the production from day one including the challenges of aging Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, designing over five thousand costumes and creating the animatronic baby.
- Explore the incredible visual effects techniques created specifically for the film that allowed Brad Pitt to play the title character at virtually every age. Also includes a visit to the scoring stage with composer Alexandre Desplat.
- Walk the red carpet at the film's premiere in New Orleans, with final thoughts from cast and crew.
- Audio Commentary by director David Fincher
The fact that this is getting the Criterion treatment so soon is causing quite a stir -- after all, this is it. This is the definitive release, and the company has given it the "important classic" crown. Is Benjamin Button deserving of it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-20-2009 @ 11:41AM
Eric said...
I liked the film but it's no classic that it needs to be on Criterion. So does this mean i will need to pay 40 bucks for this like all of my other Criterion Editions.
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3-20-2009 @ 12:04PM
khkg said...
I thought it was amazing, and very moving. But it's not the kind of movie most people are currently interested in. It's of a different era. In that sense it does belong with in the Criterion Collection.
Not enthusiastic about those extras though
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3-20-2009 @ 12:01PM
Brandon said...
I'm sorry to say it's not.
From the director of Seven, Fight Club, and Zodiac, this was not an advance. It wasn't bad, but it was blatant Oscar Bait.
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3-20-2009 @ 12:07PM
Luke Mullen said...
Let's not forget that most Wes Anderson films are Criterion only DVD's (and now Blu-Ray as well with the recent BOTTLE ROCKET release). As I recall, ROYAL TENENBAUMS and LIFE AQUATIC were both released immediately by Criterion and the Criterion editions are still the only DVD's of those films available. I don't remember there being a big fuss about that, and I don't see any reason to make a big deal out of this. Is BUTTON as classic and important as say THE 400 BLOWS? Of course not. But neither is TENENBAUMS, much as I love it. BUTTON is a fine enough film that there doesn't seem to be any cause for outrage. After all, it's not like we're discussing a Criterion release of THE READER here. Oh God, knock on wood, please don't let that become a self-fulfilling prophecy!
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3-20-2009 @ 12:30PM
John said...
I think this movie was absolutely awful. I can't believe that a respectable company like Criterion would give it this kind of a release. It makes me wonder what's going on over there.
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3-20-2009 @ 1:08PM
Matt Goldberg said...
I don't know if the movie deserves it, but Fincher deserves it because the guy puts more effort into his DVD releases than anyone else. The special editions of "Fight Club", "Panic Room" (a film that's way over-hated), "Se7en" and "Zodiac" are all must-owns.
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3-20-2009 @ 1:50PM
feebo said...
this is the same impulse that leads to populist movies ending up on Criterion, like Chasing Amy, Armageddon, The Rock, The Life Aquatic, etc. It's a movie that's going to sell insanely well, which will give Criterion brand recognition and cause its other titles to sell; and, on t he other hand, gives the movie gravitas and instant art-house cache because it has Criterion branding. I don't think it deludes the branding much, because if a Benjamin Button blu-ray allows Criterion to be able to afford 5 other blu-ray titles they might not have otherwise released this year, I'm all for it. And if someone picks up The Wages of Fear Criterion sitting on the shelf next to Benjamin Button, their lives will be improved immeasurably because of it. So we all win.
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3-20-2009 @ 2:23PM
MattT said...
I have to agree with Luke Mullen, in that some go straight to DVD. And I'm not sure why people are outraged. Criterion isn't the end all be all of DVD collections, they just happen to think they are the most important.
Which is exactly what the publicists for BUTTON did with this movie. Right off the bat, it was portrayed as a serious and important movie.
Putting the DVD onto the Criterion Collection is only an extension of that publicity stunt.
Good movie, one of the best looking I've ever seen, but the love story between Blanchett and Pitt is one of the most uninspiring and boring stories in a long time. SO DULL. But I did like it overall.
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3-20-2009 @ 3:56PM
Michael said...
Criterion releases great products, but they also have their share of crap. Remember, there's a Criterion release of "Armageddon."
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3-20-2009 @ 6:44PM
Hi said...
NO! the movie was completely Overrated and WHY the hell did Brad Pitt get nominated for an Oscar when Cate was better than him? I tried to give him a second and third chance after watching his bad performances in Meet JOe black and TROY but he gave the same bland performance in Button. Please kaeep him away from any future potential masterpieces. He's not a good actor.
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3-20-2009 @ 8:32PM
STREET CLOUD said...
fincher makes crappy big budget hollywood movies. he is second to michael bay. he belongs nowhere near the critieron collection where classics by the likes of goddard and bergman live on.
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3-21-2009 @ 2:29PM
eugene said...
i think it's fine. same as armageddon, i think criterion highlights movies of cinematical achievement. and say what you will, but this movie (and i suppose on some levels, at the time, armageddon) is a technical wonder. and so criterion is showcasing that.
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3-22-2009 @ 7:26PM
Gordon said...
This is obviously bogus! You can go to the criterion website, and you'll realize that this is a false story, or you can use common sense... Is this article supposed to be a weak attempt at humor or an improperly research item? Regardless, Ben Button was a mediocre film that will be forgotten in a few years....
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3-22-2009 @ 7:30PM
Elisabeth said...
It wasn't bogus. It was sent to us via official press release from Paramount.
If you actually think we ran it as a joke, put "Criterion Benjamin Button" into Google.
3-26-2009 @ 5:46PM
jameson said...
With the economy the way it is and seeing other major distributor crumble (New Yorker Film), what other choice does Criterion have to stay afloat than to release a very commercial, mediocre film? It has nothing to do with the film, as to whether or not it is important or special. It is simply a new film with enough artistic merit that Criterion can justify releasing to make enough money, by selling thousands of copies, to stay in business and keep releasing all those films that will only be purchased by 5 excited film geeks if they can scrounge enough pennies to do so.
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