Parasite [Blu-ray]

Define "Social Thriller" - a film which discusses themes about the oppression of society. This is the type of genre that might best describe what PARASITE (2019) basically is. It is also a black comedy thriller, as well, basically a cross between a Coen Brothers-style black comedy and a Hitchcockian horror-thriller, and one that takes you completely by surprise. I had already known who Bong Joon Ho, was having seen two of his films: The Host (2006), an amazingly done monster film and family drama, and the underrated Memories of Murder (2003), which might be my favorite detective/serial killer film. So when I heard of his new film Parasite, as well as the huge praise it was receiving, and what it was about, I knew it sounded like my kind of film, and that I had to see it. Couldn't find it in my store, but thanks to Amazon's wonderful service, I was able to get it on DVD. And it was absolutely worth it, after my first watch, I actually ended up watching six more times almost back-to-back, it was that seriously good. PARASITE is Bong Joon Ho at his very best, a wonderfully done film that is deserving of its praise. Once it starts, I was so deeply invested into it, that the language barrier and subtitles stopped feeling like a bother when watching. And it is so deeply layered with themes and subtext, that it might require a few viewings to get them all, but I do kind-of see the film as the perfect culmination of other similar 2019 films (those being US and JOKER) that had also explored socio-political themes about classism, class division, and "the poor vs. the rich". I can assure you that PARASITE is a film that must been seen, and I strongly believe that it now earns a place on the list of Greatest Movies Ever Made in Cinema History along the likes of The Godfather, Fargo, and Shawshank Redemption. The kind of movie that will leave you thinking even after the movie is over. I seriously believe that PARASITE is quite possible the best movie of 2019, bar none.

This film’s title is “Parasite” (singular), because the survival of the Kim family depends on its ability to operate as a single organism, capitalizing on the gullibility and self-indulgence of the ultra-wealthy Park family. In the opening scene, we see the Kims in their cramped subbasement apartment in the South Korean slums where son Ki-woo/Kevin (Choi Woo-shik) and daughter Ki-jeong/Jessica (Park So-dam) find free Wi-Fi next to the toilet in the back of the apartment. Father Ki-taek (played by Song Kang-ho) seems like a hopeless optimist who finds opportunity in the mundane (e.g. free fumigation for stinkbugs in the kitchen) and teaches his children they must always have a plan. After the Kims’ failed attempt at folding pizza boxes for income, college student Min (Park Seo-joon) visits the family and changes their lives forever. Ki-woo agrees to replace Min in an English tutoring job for the Park family. Ki-woo also accepts Min’s gift of a special stone meant to bring fortune to its keeper. Indeed, the stone is part of the rise and devastating fall of the family as all 4 members intertwine their lives with the Parks’. When the Parks leave on a camping trip, the Kim family enjoys a rare night of luxury in the empty house. A heavy rainstorm leads to a Darwinian struggle with the Parks’ past housekeeper (replaced by Mrs. Kim), who returns to rescue her husband hiding in an underground chamber of the Parks mansion. In a long, nightmarish sequence in the dark, the Parks unexpectedly return early, and Ki-taek, Ki-woo and Ki-jeong narrowly escape. Returning to the slums to find their apartment flooded with sewage, they spend the night with others in a school gymnasium, and Ki-taek discloses his “plan.” In complicated events the following day, the divided classes violently clash, but ultimately coexist. The 2020 Academy Awards got it right in the unprecedented sweep for this movie (Best Picture, Best Director for Bong Joon Ho, Best International Feature Film, Best Writing--Original Screenplay). Don’t be scared away by the subtitles. This is a masterpiece you need to see.

this is by far the most entertaining, mind-opening film i saw this year. it is so meticulous made, that every detail is perfect. it portraits the social classes at perfection. it tells a story that at the beginning it appears to be something, but it takes a dark twist that fills you with intrigue and that je ne sais quoi that keeps your attention on the screen throughtout the whole movie. now, i'm seeing a lot of bad reviews just because it has its original language playing ,with english subtitles. i'm going to be honest with you, if you didn't learn how to read in third grade, bad for you, you're missing out in one of the decade's gems. and if you think that it should have an english translation, because all of your spoiled lazy asses can't focus on reading and paying attention to the images, then maybe you should consider going back to middle school. it is actually funny that english is not my native language an yet, i can read it perfectly and fast enough to keep up with the movie. maybe thats why you uncultured prigs ,vote for such a stupid president that, as yourselves, seems that can't read too! and even he's insulting Bong Joon-ho when i know that fat ass wouldn't even recognize art even if it slap him on the face. the movie is a 10/10. totally deserved the Oscar.

A estas alturas todo el mundo sabe que esta película ganó los dos premios de la Academia a Mejor Película y la Palma de Oro en Cannes. La historia sigue a la familia Kim y sus condiciones precarias de vida. Un día el hijo menor, Ki-woo, recibe una oferta de trabajo en la casa de los Park, quienes viven una vida opulenta. Poco a poco, una serie de sucesos tanto divertidos como impactantes ocurrirán. Una de las mejores películas que se han hecho en décadas. La edición de Universal tiene excelente calidad de audio y video. Los extras no son muy abundantes, pero se disfrutan. Sin subtítulos ni doblaje al español. Video: 2.40:1 1080p Audio: coreano dts-HD Master Audio 5.1 (24 bit, 48 khz) Subtítulos: Inglés.

Enjoyed watching this movie.

Edición estándar pero decente de todo un clásico de los últimos años. Lo malo es que es un Blu-ray de región A, por lo que necesitas un reproductor multiregión. De extras tiene varios tráilers y un pequeño coloquio del director.

Excelente qualidade, para quem se interessar em comprar: Legendas somente em inglês.

Uma obra prima!