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Internet's Own Boy (The): The Story of Aaron Swartz
R2 - United Kingdom - Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (1st February 2015). |
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The Film
 ***This is an A/V and Extras review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** Information is power. The Internet’s Own Boy follows the story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz. From Swartz's help in the development of the basic internet protocol RSS to his co-founding of Reddit, his fingerprints are all over the internet. But it was Swartz's groundbreaking work in social justice and political organising combined with his aggressive approach to information access that ensnared him in a two-year legal nightmare. It was a battle that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26. Aaron's story touched a nerve with people far beyond the online communities in which he was a celebrity. This film is a personal story about what we lose when we are tone deaf about technology and its relationship to our civil liberties.
Video
Independent British distributor Kaleidoscope Entertainment have released "The Internet's Own Boy" on to DVD in the United Kingdom at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (original aspect ratio is likely 1.85:1, though I could not confirm for sure). The transfer is anamorphic, and in PAL format. As with any documentary, the picture quality varies wildly throughout the run time because of the sources of the various archive footage. Some of the archive footage from Swartz's early years appears to have been shot on an old camcorder, but is still watchable, whilst other archive footage looks a bit better as home recording technology had advanced dramatically over the late nineties and early noughties. The various interview footage that was filmed purely for this documentary is of course the highlight of this transfer, and generally looks great. Details also vary wildly depending on the source. The newly shot footage shows good levels of clothing and facial details which could have been sharper, whilst some of the archive footage lacks even basic detail, though there really isn't anything that could really be done to bring it up to par. With the new footage, colours are fine and blacks are deep (check the police cars at 41:58) without succumbing to obvious crush. Skin tones are a little warm in some footage, but they usually look natural. There are no issues with the newly filmed footage with scratches or any major blemishes. It looks like your typical documentary; nothing to shout home about, but no complaints either. The feature is uncut and runs 100:33.
Audio
Two audio options are included: - English Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo For my viewing I opted for the English Dolby Digital 5.1 track, which could be deemed by many as overkill for such a documentary. The surrounds are used exclusively for the score by John Dragonetti (We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists) with no other sounds coming via the rear speakers or LFE for the duration. The score works well though, and never overpowers anything that is happening on screen, whilst still making a positive effect to the viewing experience. Dialogue is clear for the vast majority of the run time, but some of the archive footage does come across as a little mumbled. There are no signs of scratches, pops, or background hiss in the newly filmed footage, but hiss and pops are present in some of the archival material. No subtitles have been included.
Extras
Pretty basic selection. Start-up Trailers: - "The Notorious Mr. Bout" (1:30) - "Road" (1:57) Theatrical Trailer (1:41)
Overall
An excellent documentary about the legacy and life of Aaron Swartz. Highly recommended viewing.
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