Susanne Bier may very well be the greatest director of the past decade. 2 of her Danish films have already been remade for American Audiences(Broder-Brothers) and her "AFTER THE WEDDING," a film worthy of being on the top 100 films of all time list!

Her latest, "IN A BETTER WORLD," is not as powerful and thoroughly impressive as "AFTER THE WEDDING," but that's a pretty high bar to reach! Hatred, prejudice and violence exist everywhere in the world, and how people choose to deal with it, is what's at the crux of "IN A BETTER WORLD."  A Swedish doctor does courageous, life-threatening work, choosing to help the struggling population of Sudan, as they battle a variety of health issues, along with the brutal results of a cruel warlord's penchant for betting on the sex of unborn children by mutilating the young mothers long before birth!  But, even back at home, he can't escape senseless violence and the equally self-defeating results that the thirst for revenge brings with it. Having cheated on his wife, his family is on the verge of a complete implosion. One of his sons, Elias, is frequently berated and bullied in school. A surprising ally emerges, when a new student, Christian, comes to his aid. Christian is battling with his own demons, struggling to deal with the loss of his mother to cancer and a father he feels wasn't there for her. While both boys are empathic, Christian's need for resolution and settling of scores, brings the duo to a terrible and heart-wrenching decision. How their choices impact one another and the aftermath that follows, helps bring the occasionally "too loose" structure of the film, perfectly together for its climax.

"IN A BETTER WORLD" is a daring film, raising a lot of important questions and issues. While it doesn't offer any easy answers, it does make the aspiration to seek out "better" answers, urgent and understandable. It's a really good film.

SONY has provided the correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray.  Colors are astounding! Whether in the brown dirt layered refugee camps of Sudan or the pristine  town center of a European setting, everything appears completely natural. There are scenes wherein the image falls flat, but typically there is a stunning degree of depth offered. Contrast is flawless, with inky blacks offering magnificent detail in the darkest of scenes. A NEARLY FLAWLESS TRANSFER!!!!

SONY has provided a DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix.  It's not an aggressive mix, however, that doesn't prevent this lossy mix from offering an immersive experience. Ambient effects feel natural and are never manufactured. The score, while often restrained, is still powerful, especially when amplified with surround involvement. Dialogue is presented in pristine clarity. A GREAT MIX.

An audio commentary with Bier and her editor offers plenty of info about the film's production, casting, and more. It's definitely worth a listen to for fans, but non-film enthusiasts may be bored after first twenty minutes.

The trailer is offered in 1080p, but an interview with Bier, along with deleted scenes, are only offered in standard resolution.

A dvd of the film is also included.