6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.6 |
Lonnie "Lucky Man" Johnson (William Smith) is an aging professional drag racer whose sponsor, Fast Company Motor Oil, wants to let him go in favor of a younger, edgier image and spokesperson. As Johnson, the company representative (John Saxon) conspires with a rival driver in order to replace him, Johnson decides to take matters into his own hands and become an independent racer.
Drama | 100% |
Sport | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
D-Box
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
If you want to win, you can't stand still.
Apparently funny cars really do exist outside the realm of some random races shown on
ESPN2. In
fact, they come alive in the straightforward 1979 B-movie Fast Company, the film directed
by oddball Horror maestro David Cronenberg (The Fly). A departure
from the sort of films he's known for, Fast Company delivers neither the extreme gore
nor deeply-rooted psychological underpinnings that mark typical Cronenberg fare. Quite the
opposite, in fact, Fast Company
thrives on its meaninglessness, the film a formula picture through-and-through with
one-dimensional characters and a stale plot, though it does enjoy sure-handed direction, good
editing, and decent performances from character actors William Smith and John Saxon.
It's all about the sponsorships in the world of drag racing.
Fast Company pulls onto Blu-ray with a handsome 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. The film features a rather vibrant color palette, and the disc excels in showcasing each color naturally and pleasingly, with the reds, whites, and blues of the FastCo-themed products, vehicles, and uniforms dominating the screen. Green vegetation, gray pavement, and blue skies also impress. Generally sharp, the transfer exhibits only the occasional soft shot. Detail impresses; both foreground and background objects appear well defined throughout, particularly the many objects scattered about Johnson's trailer. In addition, the transfer allows for a nice sense of visible depth in many scenes. A generally heavy layer of grain is retained over the image, lending to the presentation a very nice film-like appearance. Blacks levels generally retain a dark, "true black" appearance, and flesh tones remain stable and natural throughout. Fast Company is one good-looking catalogue title from Blue Underground.
Fast Company zooms onto Blu-ray with both DTS-HD MA 7.1 and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtracks. For the purpose of the review, the film was screened in its entirety with the DTS track selected, and comparisons between several scenes with each lossless track yielded no perceptible differences. Overall, Fast Company on Blu-ray offers up a sometimes robust presentation that fills up the soundstage despite little in the way of discernible rear-channel activity. Popular music that plays throughout the film delivers a strong, front-heavy, and center-focused performance that features a rather crisp presentation marked by solid lows and strong guitar riffs that manage to create the subtlest of reverberations throughout the listening area. The rattling engines of the cars often sound like machine gun fire and make for the strongest -- and loudest -- segments of the film. The track features little in the way of ambience. Dialogue reproduction, though, never falters, the clear delivery of the spoken word the strongest aspect of the track. Though nothing to become overly excited about, this Blu-ray release of Fast Company serves up a solid listen that supports the film nicely enough.
Fast Company rolls onto Blu-ray with several impressive bonus features. First among them is a commentary track with Co-Writer/Director David Cronenberg. Viewing the picture for the first time in a quarter-century, Croneberg discusses a broad range of topics, including the film's music, shooting locations, the process of writing the script and incorporating real-life events into it, the history of the picture, its lack of distribution and limited screenings, the importance of the picture and its influence on his career, and more. Cronenberg's track makes for an intriguing listen, the director serving up not only a large quantity of comments but framed in a quality delivery that enhances the feel of the track considerably. This is a must-listen track. Inside the Actor's Studio -- Interviews with Stars William Smith and John Saxon (480p, 10:48) features the duo discussing a broad range of topics, including the art of acting, the style of characters they enjoy portraying, and several Fast Company-specific observations. Shooting Cronenberg -- Interview with Director of Photography Mark Irwin (480p, 13:34) contains the cinematographer recalling his career and work with the famed Canadian director with particular attention paid to Fast Company. The best feature on the disc comes in the form of a pair of early films directed by David Cronenberg, Stereo (480p, Dolby Digital Stereo, 1:02:44) and Crimes of the Future (480p, Dolby Digital Stereo, 1:02:39). Also included is the Fast Company theatrical trailer (480p, 1:02). Finally, this disc is also D-Box enabled.
With Blu-ray still a burgeoning format, the release of a film like Fast Company might come as a bit of a surprise, but it is nevertheless a welcome addition to the list of available titles. Though a film with a limited audience and, most likely, an even more limited cross-section of Blu-patrons willing to shell out the cash for the title, the disc will likely be passed over by the mainstream in favor of more popular new release and catalogue titles. Still, adding a film like Fast Company to any Blu-ray collection, whether one pushing 1,000 titles or hovering around 50, does a few things. First, the disc demonstrates the ability of the format to revitalize an otherwise forgotten picture and allow it to sparkle for home consumption, the film probably not looking quite this good in every limited screening even back in 1979. While it may not look or sound perfect, the disc recreates the charm and intended look of the film splendidly. Second, it supports everyone's favorite little cult studio, Blue Underground, and paves the way for what will, hopefully, be a longtime love affair between Blue and Blu. Lastly, Fast Company adds a nice bit of diversity to the collection; though films like Iron Man and The Dark Knight are certainly nice to have, smaller cult and otherwise forgotten films make for curiosities and conversation starters, opening up a whole new world to film fans that embrace only mainstream entertainment at the local multiplex or on Pay-Per-View. Fast Company may not be everyone's cup of tea, and the film certainly does next to nothing outside of straight formula, but it's an entertaining ride that holds up well, and Blue Underground's release impresses in all areas. Recommended.
1969
1970
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1994
1981
1968
1970
1966
1987
1985
Collector's Edition
1968
1925
1948
1970
1934
Are You Fit to Marry? / Forbidden Desire / Forbidden Desires / Marriage Forbidden
1937
1936
1961
1963
1971
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1976