The Film
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most famous presidents in American history. However, there's a lot that we don't know about him. If you're looking to see what made Lincoln the man, the myth and the legend that's featured in every single history book ever written, you've come to the wrong movie. Instead, Steven Spielberg's Lincoln spends its time covering the 16th president's role in one of the most monumental moments in our nation's history.
Lincoln is all about the president's attempt to abolish slavery right in the middle of the Civil War. And in case you were unsure about the time period, that opening scene should pretty much cover it for you. Lincoln depicts the time period perfectly and puts a famous face to a lot of pivotal people from this era.
Daniel Day-Lewis is the closest thing you're going to get to Lincoln, without a time machine. He also has the Oscar to prove it. That said, Lincoln is quite the collaborative effort. Sally Field proves once again that she doesn't get enough film work, with Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, David Strathairn and Gloria Reuben all playing important, memorable roles.
At 150 minutes, Lincoln is a little on the long side, with the second part of the film being a much more fulfilling act. However, there's a lot of history to cover here and a lot of stellar performances to squeeze in. It's surely one that any film (or history) buff will not want to miss.
Want to learn a little more about out 16th president -- or at least this film? Read up on Tom Fugalli's theatrical review of Lincoln.
The Picture
These were some dark times -- literally. The light bulb wasn't really a thing yet, and this 2.40:1 transfer conveys that. It's a dark image, but also has a lot of detail. More importantly, it's very true to the time period and to the source materual. Lincoln also isn't bursting with bright colors, but what you get here is very lifelike. The film's best moments are during its close-ups, most notably on Daniel Day-Lewis. The wrinkles and other features and textures are wonderful and certainly won't leave viewers disappointed.
The Sound
Lincoln is a very dialogue-heavy film, which the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track does reproduce nicely. Of course, 7.1 isn't really necessary for all of that dialogue. Thankfully, there are some very interesting surround sounds here. That opening battle scene, crowd chatter and other ambient effects are pretty constant and engaging. However, the most notable and 7.1-worthy part of this audio track is John Williams' robust score.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Lincoln may remind you of a grade-school history class at some points. It seems long, there are a ton of facts, and it's even boring in some parts. Yes, it's not a non-stop thrill ride. However, it's a really well made film about one of the most monumental moments and figures in our nation's history -- so show some respect! No seriously, Daniel Day-Lewis, the slew of other excellent performances, and the AV package absolutely make Lincoln a must-see.
Product Details
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