The Film
Does the world need another Steve Jobs? Probably, but judging by the box office, we really didn't want another Steve Jobs movie. And that's a shame, because Steve Jobs is really good.
Maybe audiences were soured by Jobs, the 2013 biopic that put Ashton Kutcher in the title role. However, this new one has a better cast, a better script, and a better director. It's probably not fair to compare the two, but okay, one more thing -- this film is better paced, and that's huge here. You can thank Aaron Sorkin, who put together a witty, interesting script that's probably going to snag him another little gold statue a few weeks from now.
Just know that Steve Jobs doesn't attempt to put the Apple co-founder's entire life up on the big screen. Hell, we don't even get to see him debut the iconic iPod. Instead, director Danny Boyle uses three film formats to deliver three major moments -- or at least, three major product launches.
The film kicks off in 1984, in 16mm, with Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender) ready to debut the Macintosh 128K. This is where we're introduced to Jobs' less-than-sparkling personality, which is reinforced by his denial of the court-approved paternity of his daughter, Lisa. From there, the movie jumps to 35mm and 1988, with Jobs ousted from Apple, introducing NeXT, getting chewed out by Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen), and fighting with Apple CEO John Sculley (Jeff Daniels). In the third act, the movie jumps into the digital format, as Jobs debuts the iMac G3, freaks out about Andy Hertzfeld's role in Lisa's life, and gets chewed out by Wozniak (again).
There's so much to Steve Jobs, both the man and the movie. While it may be disappointing to some that the film doesn't talk about the iPod, iPhone, or even Jobs' death, Sorkin managed to squeezed a lot into this film and make it flow with ease. It helps that Fassbender is riveting, as he delivers that rapid-fire dialogue.
The rest of the cast is just as good. It would have been nice to have a little more Wozniak. Instead, we get a hearty glimpse at Joanna Hoffman (Kate Winslet), Jobs' right-hand woman, confident, and apparently the only one who knew how to properly communicate with this guy.
It's hard to say how much of Steve Jobs is factual. (Apparently, Wozniak liked it.) There's definitely a lot of chapters missing here. That said, interesting dialogue and great performances make Steve Jobs worth checking out.
Looking for a lengthier peek at this movie? Check out Joe Lozito's theatrical review of Steve Jobs.
The Picture
To help convey three different time periods, we are treated to three distinctive images in this film. The opening 16mm portion of the movie has a dated, grainy look to it. It's a little soft, but the colors perfectly depict the time period and there is a decent amount of detail there, mainly in the close-ups. There are pores, facial lines, and strands of hair to see, as well as texture on Jobs' shirt collar. Some of the grain is still there in 35mm, but you can see that the movie is slightly sharper, with better details and more realistic colors. The black levels are really the most noteworthy portion of this section, especially during the scene where Jobs is fighting with John Sculley. It shouldn't be all that surprising that third part of the movie is the best, from an image standpoint. The grain is gone and the film has better, more lifelike colors and sharper imagery overall. Having the movie presented this way makes the time jump more palatable, and this Blu-ray delivers in all three formats.
The Sound
Steve Jobs is really all about the dialogue, which comes through perfectly on this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The first third of the film, which takes place in 1984, is the least interesting audio-wise, but the track does pop up throughout soundfield for music and some atmospheric effects. As the film moves along, those surrounds perk up a bit more, even though it's never any sort of in-your-face experience. That said, the track does what it's supposed to do. That dialogue is definitely the star, but there are a few standout surround moments, most notably when the launch crowd is stomping, clapping, and cheering.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
It's hard to pack Steve Jobs into 122 minutes. This film is definitely missing a few of the highlights, but it's not meant to be comprehensive. It's meant to be entertaining -- and it certainly delivers, thanks to a punchy, witty script by Aaron Sorkin, stellar direction by Danny Boyle, and most notably, a killer performance by Michael Fassbender. The AV is a perfect match to the on-screen action and there are some good extras here for anyone interested in delving deeper into the subject matter. If you're a fan of biopics, Steve Jobs is definitely one to add to your must-see list.
Product Details
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