7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
No matter who we are, no matter where we live, we're all bound by borders. Many of us are content to live within these borders--others are simply forced to exist within them. But some of us need to break out, burst through, even if what is on the other side is both frightening and unknown. From this comes the tale of one young man's dilemma as he navigates his way through his colliding worlds. Set against Detroit's hip-hop scene in 1995, Jimmy Smith Jr., a young white rapper, struggles to find his voice. The people of Detroit know 8 Mile Road as the city's perimeter. It is also a psychological dividing line between urban and suburban, between black and white, between where Jimmy is and where he wants to be. Here, survival is key, and for many, the emotional life preserver is hip hop. In the absence of nurturing parents, Jimmy and his friends--cool and charasmatic Future, optimistic dreamer Sol, aspiring activist DJ Iz and slow but steady Cheddar Bob--have created their own family. Jimmy and his "crew" (Three One Third), live on hopes of getting their "big break" while struggling to eke out a living at their dead end day jobs. At night, they feed their dreams in the hip hop clubs where the city's best rappers battle each other with abusive rhymes that are wielded like weapons. Here, words are meant to wound and victory belongs to the quick-witted.
Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Evan JonesMusic | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.36:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS:X
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
German: DTS:X
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Japanese: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Czech, Danish, Finnish, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Polish, Swedish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
To celebrate the film's 20th anniversary, Universal has issued Curtis Hanson's 8 Mile on 4K with a new 2160p transfer and DTS:X audio. Both the standard 4K edition and this Steelbook, which is exclusive to Universal Pictures' online retail outlet GRUV.com, feature identical disc content which also includes a copy of the 2009 Blu-ray. This isn't a definitive release by any stretch but easily the best home video presentation to date... and if you're a Steelbook collector, it's a low-risk upgrade that's identical to the regular version in price. (Or even cheaper, depending where you shop.)
For my thoughts on the 4K's 2160p presentation, please see my review of the standard 4K edition. Please note that the included Blu-ray is identical to Universal's 2009 release, which is the source of both reviews' screenshots.
For my thoughts on the 4K disc's new DTS:X audio mix, please see my review of the standard 4K edition.
This two-disc release ships in matte-finish Steelbook packaging with attractive new artwork that maintains the muted aesthetic used for its iconic poster artwork and previous home video editions. Featuring a chalky, desaturated profile photo of Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith with his familiar headphones, hoodie, and beanie set against a darkened map of the surrounding Detroit area, it's highlighted by a stylized logo that continues its yellow appearance through bold cross-lighting. The back cover features B. Rabbit electrifying the crowd during his final performance, and the interior follows suit with a profile shot of of B. Rabbit facing down Lotto (Nashawn Breedlove) in their earlier battle. The discs sit in overlapping hubs on the right side and a Digital Copy redemption slip is also tucked inside.
A list of the on-disc bonus features can be found in my review of the standard 4K edition.
GRUV.com's exclusive Limited Steelbook Edition of 8 Mile advances upon the standard 4K edition in packaging only, with an attractive overall design that should appeal to collectors. As for the discs themselves? I have a few reservations about Universal's treatment of this best-selling catalog title (which can be found in my linked review), but overall it's a decent release and die-hard fans should have no problem buying either version if the price is right.
2002
2002
Universal 100th Anniversary
2002
Limited Edition | Iconic Art
2002
2002
20th Anniversary Edition
2002
Unrated Director's Cut Collector's Edition
2009
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2017
2005
2-Disc Unrated Edition
2007
2008
2010
Director's Cut
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2016
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