7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Journalist Raoul Duke and his lawyer Dr. Gonzo drive from L.A. to Las Vegas on a drugs binge. They nominally cover news stories, including a convention on drug abuse, but also sink deeper into a frightening psychedelic otherworld. As Vietnam, Altamont, and the Tate killings impinge from the world of TV news, Duke and Gonzo see casinos, reptiles, and the American Dream.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Benicio del Toro, Ellen Barkin, Craig Bierko, Gary BuseyDrama | 100% |
Dark humor | 71% |
Crime | 59% |
Surreal | 44% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
It's been said before, quite possibly even by me in a previous review, but Terry Gilliam seems to live by the motto "nothing succeeds like excess". The erstwhile animator for and participant in Monty Python's Flying Circus has one of the most fascinating filmographies in contemporary cinema, and for anyone not already acquainted with Gilliam's visionary tendencies as well as what might be charitably called a lack of discipline might do well to take a very deep breath and dive headlong into Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a film that has had a somewhat controversial history but which still provides a dazzling, drug fueled cornucopia of weird images and both bizarre and hilarious story elements.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is presented on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. Arrow provided their wide 1080
release (as opposed to their Limited Edition), and while I suspect that the Limited Edition had an insert booklet along with its second 1080 disc, this
version doesn't, and so I'm not privy to any verbiage it may impart about the restoration offered on this disc. I will share that Arrow's James White
stated that Arrow actually did a first 4K restoration for this release, but then revisited the film again for another 4K restoration which is
covered in my Fear and Loathing in Las
Vegas 4K Blu-ray review.
While I would recommend fans of this film who have the proper home theater setup for Arrow's 4K UHD version to opt for that one, this 1080 release
provides some noticeable improvements over the old Universal Blu-ray. I'd state that by far the majority of the problems Ken mentioned in his
review have been at least ameliorated if not outright eliminated in this version, and that's especially true with regard to over aggressive digital
tweaks, which in my estimation are commendably completely absent in this version. Gilliam's repeated
use of bizarre wide angle lenses, which intentionally distort the image in various hallucinogenic ways, also provide some extreme close-ups
at times that offer superb fine detail levels, but even in relatively "normal" framings, overall detail levels remain surprisingly consistent despite what
might be called the psychedelic haze overrunning so much of the imagery. The murkiness that Ken noted in some of the interior scenes look quite a
bit better to my eyes in this version, though there is still definitely a masking element to some of the lighting and grading choices that can afflict fine
detail levels at times. Primaries in particular are vivid and well suffused,
as if the viewer were, well, on drugs. Arguing against at least one type of unwanted digital intrusion, the grain field is quite apparent and in fact can
be a little "swarm like" against the bright blue Nevada skies. On the whole, though, I found grain resolution to be tight and organic looking. There
are still a few very
minor blemishes that still accrue despite the restoration efforts (keep your eyes peeled toward the left of the frame in some of the opening
moments with Depp and del Toro in the car), but nothing of any import in my estimation. This probably would have rated a 4.5 had I not stacked it
up against Arrow's 4K UHD presentation, but in any event, my score is at least 4.25.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas offers DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 options. Ken was appreciative if not overly enthusiastic about Universal's own release, and while I concur that even in this version the rear channels are kind of sporadically engaged, they are clearly in the mix at times (go stand next to them when the "bats" are afflicting Duke in the early going), and, as Ken noted with regard to the Universal release, there's clear panning and directionality at various junctures, especially once the drugs start kicking in, so to speak. There's an obviously hallucinogenic quality to the sound design that is probably only (chemically?) enhanced by the fact that (again as Ken noted in his review) there seems to have been pretty abundant ADR in post, so that there's almost an "Italian" dissociative quality to some of the dialogue. Fidelity is problem free, and a lot of the music in particular is really robust sounding. Dialogue (including Duke's voiceover) is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
- Spotlight on Location (HD; 10:35)
- Behind the Scenes (HD; 4:26)
- Interview with Terry Gilliam (HD; 2:42)
- Interview with Johnny Depp (HD; 4:58)
- Interview with Benicio del Toro (HD; 00:33)
- Trailer 1 (HD; 2:15)
- Trailer 2 (HD; 1:41)
- Storyboards by Terry Gilliam
- Opening Sequences
- The Mint Hotel
- Baker
- The Flamingo Hotel / DA Convention
- Adrenochrome
- Duke Drives Gonzo to the Airport
- Final Sequence
- Production Designs
- Production Stills
- Publicity Gallery
I am an unabashed fan of Terry Gilliam's often patently bizarre films, even if I am also simultaneously aware of how "unkempt" they can be at times. I have to say on at least one level there has probably never been a more perfect marriage between source writer and cinematic adapter than Hunter S. Thompson and Terry Gilliam, but that means that those unacquainted with either and/or both may be in for a rather eye and ear popping experience with this film. Technical merits are first rate, though Arrow went back to the well for another 4K scan for their 4K UHD release, and, as stated above, I'd suggest those capable of playing it get that release. Supplements are very enjoyable. Highly recommended.
1998
Limited Edition
1998
1998
1998
1998
Remastered | Limited Edition | Includes For No Good Reason
1998
Limited Edition
1973
1996
2017
1999-2007
2014
2017
2009
2008
Arrow Academy
1976
2 Disc Special Edition
2012
2008-2013
1997
The Convincer
2011
2017
Remastered
1996
2014
Twelve Angry Men
1957
2014
50th Anniversary Edition
1969
20th Anniversary Edition
1994