One of those most criminally underrated movies and therefore best movies of the year (check out our top 15 of 2015) is out now on DVD and Blu-Ray. Don’t miss Steve Jobs, starring Michael Fassbender, in an Oscar nominated turn, as the iconic founder of Apple.
Steve Jobs is an in-depth look at the man behind the myth, as told in a stage play-like structure of a three act journey. Fittingly, each part takes place in theaters where Jobs is holding three of his iconic product launches — the Macintosh, NeXT and his major coming out party, the iMac. We never get to the iPod or iPhone… and the audience doesn’t need it. Everything one needs to know about the man behind the computer revolution can be gleaned from these three product launches and that is due to the Golden Globe winning script by Aaron Sorkin (one of our big Oscar snubs of 2016).
First and foremost, Jobs does not come off as the most likable of souls. He has a daughter — who he refuses to acknowledge is his — even as her mother (Katherine Waterson) reveals that they are living on welfare as he is making millions. He is not particularly loyal, as shown in his treatment of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (a surprisingly awesome Seth Rogen). And lastly, he does what he wants professionally, despite the excellent advice he continually gets from his PR maven Joanna Hoffman (Kate Winslet).
But the purpose of director Danny Boyle (an impeccable choice to direct) is not to find this man endearing, it is to celebrate his genius, his visionary thinking and impact on our society as a whole that will be felt for generations. As we stated in our theatrical Steve Jobs review, all of the above criticisms are addressed in the film exceedingly well and overall, it is a whip-smart study in filmmaking that takes chances, pushes the envelope and exposes an iconic figure… flaws and all.
Both Fassbender and Winslet are nominated for Oscars, but there was little other love for the film and that is a shame. Sorkin, Boyle and the film itself deserved recognition. Yet, not a lot of people saw the film when it hit theaters, so now that it is on home video, run, don’t walk, and experience Steve Jobs.
When it comes to bonus features, there are but a few, but they are exquisite.
Inside Jobs: The Making of Steve Jobs takes viewers behind-the-scenes of a new American classic and for this viewer, it made our adoring appreciation for the film grow even more deeply. As much as Jobs was a wizard of his realm, so too are Boyle, Sorkin, Fassbender, Winslet, Rogen and Daniels in theirs – crafting cinematic moments that are indelible.
Watching them all collectively work towards the common goal that is to make one of the best picture of the year, and perhaps this decade, is a marvel and a pure joy to witness. As we stated, Boyle could not have been a better choice to helm, and his command of his craft is on full display. Between exploring his cinematic choices with film tone to color selection and musical enhancements, it is like experiencing a masterclass in movies in the few dozen minutes that the featurette encompasses.
Specifically, the three-part featurette finds Part One placing the spotlight firmly on Fassbender and the choices he made to bring a legend to life, Boyle’s direction, the script and the movie’s three-act structure and the use of the Walter Isaacson book. Part Two goes deeper into some of the peripheral characters of the film and the importance of Boyle’s rehearsals and how those exploratory experiences fueled the creative fire that is captured on film. Part Three goes more technical with looks at the shooting locations, lighting and the film’s music. All told, it is just brilliant.
Lastly, we cannot recommend the film commentary tracks enough. Sure, it’s time consuming. But, Steve Jobs is a film you must own for the Blu-Ray collection. So, on subsequent viewings, don’t miss the Feature Commentary with Director Danny Boyle and then on a different viewing, dive into the Feature Commentary with Writer Aaron Sorkin and Editor Elliot Graham. Each provide priceless insight into not only the Steve Jobs experience and the brilliance of the man who founded Apple, but the geniuses who brought his story to effervescent life.
Film: A+
Bonus Features: A