Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		2.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		2.0

Clockers Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 20, 2024

Spike Lee's "Clockers" (1995) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with screenwriter Richard Price; new program with editor Sam Pollard; new audio commentary by critic Daniel Kremer; archival cast and crew interviews; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Almost immediately after the two cops, Rocco Klein (Harvey Keitel) and Larry Mazilli (John Turturo), enter the projects, you begin to feel that life is very different there. People move around and do what they ought to do to get by, but they are hopeless, and you can tell that the overwhelming majority of them are actually moving in circles. They merely exist, which is a classic recipe for disaster.

A drug dealer then turns up dead and Rocco and Larry go after Strike Dunham (Mekhi Phifer), a young pusher, who works for another drug dealer named Rodney Little (Delroy Lindo). The cops think that Strike is their man, but when his older brother Victor (Isaiah Washington) quickly confesses to the crime and is put behind bars, it begins to look like their case is effectively closed. However, because the ‘killer’ does not fit the profile of a desperate or angry dealer willing to risk his freedom to get rid of a rival, Rocco continues to dig for clues, sensing that Victor’s confession isn’t as sincere as advertised.

The mystery surrounding the murder of the drug dealer is at the center of Spike Lee’s Clockers, but what actually makes the film interesting is the emergence of various complex relationships that provide the viewer with a legit sense of what it takes to survive in the projects.

A quick pause.

The film is based on an acclaimed novel by Richard Price that a lot of people consider vastly superior. There are different reasons why, but those who have actually experienced life in the projects usually point out that Lee’s film tends to glamorize its grittiness while downplaying the ‘real’ street realism that defines the novel. But is this valid criticism? If it is, it is quite weak because if there is one thing that this film makes perfectly clear it is that the kids that are growing up on the streets are essentially doomed, so it is hard to imagine that its depiction of the projects and everything that takes place there is in any way glamorizing. Perhaps the film simply isn’t as cynical as the novel is, but this is an entirely different matter. Also, Rocco’s investigation reveals that the perception of life in the projects that ‘outsiders’ like him and his partner have is just as damning, so the people there are also isolated by a socio-cultural barrier that implies entirely new troubles. So, the glamorization simply isn’t there.

The contrasts that emerge are predictable because the game of survival in the projects is of the most basic kind -- the weak are left to sink in the gutter and eventually they self-destruct. And the gutter is just getting bigger and bigger because the drugs are everywhere and there is never a shortage of buyers that are looking for a fix. It is why being a ‘clocker’ is one of the few legit professions in the projects.

When all is said and done, Lee’s film isn’t vastly different from what you will see in original programming from the likes of HBO and Showtime that sheds light on different aspects of life in the inner city. It is gritty and raw, but also very much aware of the type of audience it is supposed to impress (or perhaps educate). If this is to be considered a weakness, it is the only legit one that makes it inferior to the novel that inspired it.

The soundtrack features tracks by Seal (“Newborn Fried”, “Bird of Freedom”), KRS-One (“Outta Here”), Chaka Khan and Bruce Hornsby (“Love Me Still”), and Marc Dorsey (“People in Search of a Life”), amongst others.

Clockers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Clockers arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

Several years ago, we reviewed this release of Clockers produced by from Kino Lorber. It was sourced from an old and very problematic master supplied by Universal Pictures. Unfortunately, this release is sourced from the same master.

The master does not produce proper organic visuals. Even though there is some unique stylization work, the visuals easily reveal traces of sharpening and contrast boosting that routinely make them look very harsh. In some areas, delineation and clarity can be very problematic. Shadow nuances and highlights frequently collapse, too. Color balance is stable, but there is room for many dramatic improvements. The sharpening and contrast boosting impact fluidity, so many fast-moving visuals can appear smeary. All in all, Clockers needs to be properly remastered, in 2K or 4K, so that it has the right appearance on Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Clockers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

When Clockers is remastered, I would be very curious to see what is done in the audio department. The current DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is outstanding, and I genuinely do not believe that there is any room for meaningful improvements. The dialog is clear and very easy to follow, while the shoutouts and other more dramatic material sound great.

Clockers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Layin' Back in the Cut" - in this new program, editor Sam Pollard discusses his working methods, recalls his first encounter with Spike Lee and what it was like to be involved with Clockers. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• "Plausible Action" - in this new program, screenwriter Richard Price discusses his early work Marty Scorsese, some of his writing preferences, and work on Clockers. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• Archival Interviews - presented here are several archival interviews with Methi Pfeifer, Delroy Lindo, John Turturo, and Spike Lee. The comments focus on the characters and production of Clockers. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for Clockers. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic Daniel Kremer.

• Booklet - a 60-page illustrated booklet with essays and technical credits.

Clockers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

At some point in the future, Clockers will have to be remastered because currently it does not have a proper organic appearance. All releases of it, including this one, are sourced from the same problematic master that Universal has had in its vaults for years, most likely since the DVD era. On this release, there are a couple of nice exclusive new bonus features, but I cannot recommend it because of how Clockers looks. It is included in Film Focus: Harvey Keitel, a six-disc box set.