As much as I appreciate an engrossing drama series, there is something about an impeccably made miniseries that really takes you on a journey that can seldom be rivaled. A limited series has the luxury of expanding the depth of a narrative through the benefit of a longer runtime than a movie, but it is contained enough that the creative team does not have to unnecessarily draw out the story to foster additional seasons (even if some limited series make the mistake of doing just that). Some of our greatest narrative achievements in the “golden age of television” have been derived from real world events. Not only does the old adage of “truth is stranger than fiction” often prove to be true, but as a society we crave certain events to be put into a context that can be deconstructed and reveal a previously overlooked truth. Craig Mazin’s Chernobyl from 2019 did exactly this, as viewers were taken on a deep dive of an environmental tragedy which was handled even more improperly than we ever would have dreamed. Not only was this one of the best miniseries of the year, it was one of the strongest feats of storytelling in any medium.
Chernobyl does not pretend to think we are completely oblivious to the realities of what happened in the Soviet Union in April 1986. This is not a story about what happened at the fateful nuclear power plant, but instead we explore why it happened and how the response was bungled on a multitude of levels. We begin sometime in the future after the disaster at the kitchen table of Valery Legasov (Jared Harris) where he records the unrestricted testimony of his involvement with the Chernobyl disaster. This act is the last one of a man burdened by the knowledge of all of the incredible injustices that were perpetrated in the country’s response. We are then taken back to the night in question that would forever change the country and the world at large in an unthinkable way. Even as you know what is about to happen, the experience of watching all of the pieces fall into place to bring forth a disaster the likes of which the world has rarely seen is simply chilling. As you are given bits of information, it is easy to assign blame with certain people, but as we go through these five episodes we will come to learn that the problem is systemic rather than an anomaly.
For as big of a spectacle as the actual disaster is, and the depiction is astonishing, it is the human aspect that provides the thrills and chills within the series. To be fair, Chernobyl is not aiming to be a horror series in the traditional sense, but the visceral reaction it conjures is more horrific than most “horror” movies I have seen in recent years. This disaster would have been terrible under any circumstance, but when you get a front-row seat to the decision makers in the country you begin to understand the depth of recklessness on display. Characters like Valery, a nuclear physicist called in to advise the Soviet’s response committee, and Soviet Deputy Prime Minister Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgård), the brash bureaucrat who goes on a fascinating journey throughout the series, provide the audience with a duo whose shaky partnership we pin our hopes for a positive outcome. The series is fascinating in this respect; the tension is built up so expertly that you are left wondering what is going to happen in a story where you largely know what occurred. The series is fleshed out with characters in different situations that keep you glued to the screen, from the noble nuclear physicist (Emily Watson) to the tough-as-nail miners to the concerned wife who does not grasp the gravity of her situation (Jessie Buckley, Wild Rose). Every single character is well-defined and completely enveloping even when they make you want to scream.
Chernobyl is not just powerful because of the important story that it tells, but due to the universal themes at its core (no pun intended). This series debuted in 2019, but you would be hard-pressed to find a series that is more relevant to today than this one. The powers that be in the Soviet Union are depicted ignoring the truth that scientists are trying to tell them to save face and protect the reputation of the country and leadership at large no matter the cost to human life. As a country that is firmly in the midst of a pandemic, this hits home way too hard. This is the type of content that gets you angry. This is not an anger that should be stifled, though; this is the type of anger that will inspire you to demand action and call out malfeasance when it rears its head. This is the power of a well-executed narrative, and Craig Mazin does something unbelievable in this series. Throughout these five episodes, you are taken on a journey that will both inspire you and fill you with dread, but it will leave you feeling invigorated. This is a series where every aspect is working in tandem to deliver magic on screen. If you are lucky, you will get to experience unabated excellent in entertainment a few times a year, and Chernobyl is just such a story will leave you feeling inspired by what can be accomplished on television.
Video Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Chernobyl is presented in 2.00:1 with a 2160p HDR/Dolby Vision transfer that offers a solid uptick in quality over the already strong accompanying Blu-Ray. The series runs a bit more on the drab side of the color spectrum, but that does not stop the disc from being a knockout. The black levels are especially strong in this presentation, staying deep and inky with great detail. When compared to Blu-Ray, the 4K version allows for way more depth, clarity and stability to the image. There are numerous instances of scenes in darkness that allow for a greater sense of what action is being depicted on screen. The image is as gorgeous as the source material will allow. The white levels are balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. There are some entrancing shots of the nuclear core that put the High Dynamic Range to good use. There are many shots of individuals caked in grime or with radiation burns on their body, and this transfer allows for a more clear, visceral depiction of these elements. This is a very natural looking transfer that gives the series a three dimensional feel that’s a marked improvement from the Blu-Ray.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with a lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that makes the series extra thrilling. Chernobyl leans more on the talky side, but there are some kinetic moments during the containment process that brings the power to the track. Dialogue comes through clear in the front channel without being overwhelmed by any sound effects or score. The track has a good sense of directionality with sounds always coming from the appropriate channels. As mentioned, the series is filled with some intense moments around the reactor which puts the low end to work quite often. The Hildur Guðnadóttir (Joker) score provides the perfect atmosphere for this dour tale which fills the speakers well. This audio presentation is pretty fantastic even without an upgraded audio mix to go along with the video upgrade.
Special Features
- Inside The Episodes: All five episodes are given a short deconstruction totaling fifteen minutes in which the cast and crew discuss key elements including why they made certain creative choices in the construction of the series. They are brief but informative.
- What Is Chernobyl?: A nearly two-minute overview of the real-life disaster for those who have never heard about it previously.
- Meet the Key Players: Three short videos totaling six minutes are included here which go over the characters played by Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson. You get a brief sense of the overall purpose of each character within the narrative.
- Behind the Curtain – Director Johan Renck: A nearly two-minute look at the director of the series in which he touches on some of his choices in shooting the episodes.
- Script to Screen – The Divers: A minute-and-a-half look at the suicide mission embarked upon by some real heroes and how the creative team decided to depict the act on screen.
- Pivotal Moment – The Trial: A two-minute look at the sham trial that takes place in the final episode and what it meant for those characters to be giving testimony.
Final Thoughts
Chernobyl is not always an easy watch, but those who are willing to delve into this tragic tale will be greeted by one of the greatest series to be released in the past several years. Everything from the writing to the direction and the performances is of the highest quality. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has done this series a great service by revisiting it for a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that features a pretty amazing A/V presentation and some decent special features. If I had it my way, this would be a mandatory viewing experience. Essential
Chernobyl is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
