Christine Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Christine Blu-ray Movie Review

She's back!

Sony has released 'Christine' to Blu-ray in a wide release two-and-a-half years following Twilight Time's long sold-out limited edition Blu-ray. Notably absent from this version is an isolated score found on the Twilight Time release. Otherwise, both versions contain what appears to be the same supplemental content (with slight variations in runtime in deleted scenes), including several featurettes and a John Carpenter/Keith Gordon commentary. A copy of Twilight Time's release was not immediately available for comparison, though by all accounts the transfers appear to be identical.

Christine Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Christine's 1080p Blu-ray release from Sony dazzles. The image is organically filmic, retaining a light, but critical, grain structure that accentuates the transfer's details and textural robustness. It's prone to mild softness around the edges, but foreground details -- and most backgrounds -- enjoy effortless sharpness and crisp definition. Faces and clothes are, as always, obvious highlights, but it's the car that truly shines. Whether she's beaten to hell, smashed to pieces, grossly neglected, or showroom shiny, every inch is meticulously revealed, inside and out. Other details -- some of the rougher edges around the auto shop, books lining a library shelf in the school, or lightly dinged and dented lockers lining the hallways -- are solid, too. Colors are gorgeous. Christine's bright red hue dazzles, particularly out in the open on bright, sunny days. Her duller, rusted, and worn finishes still impress, but it's that fresh coat look that's the transfer's single most impressive highlight. Additional colors impress, too, whether creamy interiors in the school, natural greenery, or fiery oranges. Black levels are deep and accurate, with nighttime shots revealing impeccable shadow detailing and depth. Flesh tones present no causes for concern. Banding, macroblocking, print wear, and other distractions are nowhere to be seen. This is a terrific image from Sony and it appears to be the same transfer seen on the Twilight Time release.

Note that screenshots have been selected to correspond with those included in the Twilight Time release. See them all by clicking here.

Christine Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Christine zooms onto Blu-ray with an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Musical definition more than satisfies, whether Carpenter's trademark synth-style score or some of the film's classic Rock tunes. Even the tinnier, shrieking notes heard flowing straight from Christine's own speakers offer lifelike definition insofar as they replicate an old car radio sonic posture. The track is filled with interesting little surround support details, like footfalls in the school hallways, birds singing outside, driving rain, and crowd din at a football game. Heavier effects are nicely integrated, too, with effortless weight and power. A heavy collision at that same football game, an explosion that sends metallic debris flying through every active speaker in the system, crunching car metal, and deep, throaty engine revs are all muscularly impressive. Dialogue flows effortlessly from the middle and enjoys consistent prioritization and definition. This is a robust, entertaining, and enveloping listen from Sony.

Note that this release includes a number of added language and subtitle options over the Twilight Time release, but as previously stated does not, unfortunately, retain the isolated score.

Christine Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Supplements for this Blu-ray release of Christine appear to be the same as those found on the above-linked Twilight time disc save for, again, the isolated score. Discrepancies between runtimes are noted where applicable.

• Audio Commentary: Director John Carpenter and Actor Keith Gordon discuss the film, recorded two decades following the film's release. With optional English, French, German, Italian, and Japanese subtitles.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 25:20 total runtime): Note that the Twilight Time deleted scenes package runs 26:02, an additional 42 seconds. Scenes in this release include Arnie and Dennis Driving to School, Arnie Bullied in Auto Shop, Arnie Leaves for Darnell's in Junked-Out Christine, Arnie Breaks Down in Dennis' Car, Darnell and Friend Talk to Arnie as He Fixes Up Christine, Arnie Visits Dennis at the Hospital, Bullies Trashing Christine, Leigh and Arnie Walking to Darnell's, Leigh Visits Dennis in the Hospital, Mom Looks in on Arnie Sleeping in Bed, Arnie Visits Dennis in the Hospital Again, Junkins Questions Arnie in School Parking Lot, Leigh Dumps Arnie on the Phone, Bully Crushed by Car, Junkins Questions Arnie at Darnell's, Leigh Calls Dennis, Leigh and Dennis Talk on Couch, Dennis and Arnie Driving in Christine, Arnie Sees Dennis & Leigh at a Hamburger Stand, and Leigh & Dennis Wait for Arnie in the Bulldozer.
• Christine: Fast and Furious (480i, 28:55).
• Christine: Finish Line (480i, 7:17).
• Christine: Ignition (480i, 11:52).

Christine Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sony's Blu-ray release of Christine compares favorably to Twilight Time's. Though it's absent a key supplement, pricing and availability more than negate that unfortunate loss. Video and audio qualities on this disc are stellar, and the remaining supplements are entertainingly informative. There's no real reason for owners of the Twilight Time disc to upgrade, but for those who missed out the first time this is a must-buy. Highly recommended.