- Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
- Audio Codec: Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/16-bit)
- Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
- Subtitles Color: White
- Region: A (Region-Locked)
- Rating: PG
- Run Time: 82 Mins.
- Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
- Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
- Blu-ray Release Date: July 26, 2012
- List Price: $26.98
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Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2.5/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(All TheaterByte screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG at 100% quality setting and are meant as a general representation of the content. They do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
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The Film
[Rating:4/5]
One wouldn’t expect a documentary about a sushi chef to be so enthralling, but this documentary about Ono Jiro, renowned sushi chef and his son Ono Yoshikazu is just that. Jiro is widely held as the greatest sushi chef in the world and is a national treasure in Japan. His sushi-only restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, a tiny basement restaurant in a Tokyo subway station with no bathroom and seating for only 10 has nonetheless earned the prestigious three-star rating from the Michelin Guide.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi, regardless of all outward appearances, is more than just a documentary about the 85-year-old master’s restaurant. It is in fact an often gripping story of discipline, commitment to perfection, of family, and of traditional Japanese values. The ins and outs of Jiro’s restaurant are examined, from his rigorous ten-year training of apprentices and the high standards of products they choose from the fishmongers they have developed a relationship with over the years, to Jiro’s eldest son Yoshikazu’s mountainous task of having to eventually take over his father’s business, stepping into shoes that can never be filled. Of course, this human drama is also highlighted by sensational amounts of mouthwatering food-porn. The camera work is deftly handled and will leave you quite hungry for some sushi.
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
The film was captured using the Red One at 4K resolution and is offered on Blu-ray in an AVC/MPEG-4 1080p/24 encodement. The image is quite as detailed and nuanced as the best big budget films, but is in keeping with what most documentaries look like and offers a natural looking image. The colors, in particular, look gorgeous when showing off the glistening sushi creations of the chef.
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
A straightforward Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/16-bit) soundtrack is offered. It is about what you can expect for a documentary. It doesn’t offer much in the way of activity or even ambience in the surround channels, but the dialogue is clean and adequate.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2.5/5]
Additional scenes left out of the final cut and more time with the “masters” that Jiro works with for his supply are included with a commentary and gallery of more enticing imagery of the chef’s delectable creations.
The supplements:
- Commentary with Director David Gelb and Editor Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer
- Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; 1080p/24):
- Yamamoto’s First Meal
- Secret of the Sauce
- Cleanup is First and Second
- We Travel with the Fish
- The Customers
- Pursuit of Perfection
- Apprentices at the Market
- Jiro Minus Sushi = Father
- Apprentice’s Journey
- March of the Spoiled Children
- Masters (1.78:1; 1080p/24):
- Tuna Master
- Shrimp Master
- Octopus/Halibut Master
- Rice Master
- Sushi Gallery (1080p/24)
- Theatrical Trailer (1.78:1; 1080p/24; Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1)
- BD-Live
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:3.5/5]
For food lovers in general, sushi lovers in particular, and all of those fascinated with Japanese culture, Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a delicious treat. Many of us may never get the opportunity to indulge in his exclusive creations, but at least with this film, we can dream of what it may be like and understand a master at his craft.
Additional Screen Captures
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Purchase Jiro Dreams of Sushi on Blu-ray at CD Universe
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[amazon-product]B007UW9VWO[/amazon-product]
Purchase Jiro Dreams of Sushi on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2.5/5]
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