6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Alex Owens is a female dynamo: steel worker by day, exotic dancer by night. Her dream is to get into a real dance company, though, and with encouragement from her boss/boyfriend, she may get her chance. The city of Pittsburgh co-stars. What a feeling!
Starring: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala, Sunny Johnson (II), Belinda BauerRomance | 100% |
Music | 46% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 2.0
English, English SDH, French
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Paramount has released 1983's 'Flashdance' to Blu-ray, the fourth film in its 'Paramount Presents' line. The film was previously released to Blu-ray by Warner Brothers in 2013. This new release includes a fresh 4K scan, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, and a new supplement while omitting several others from the WB disc. It is also packaged to appeal to collectors, even if the packaging is rather straightforward in total.
This Blu-ray release of 'Flashdance' arrives on Blu-ray sourced, per Paramount, from a new 4K remaster of the film. This review will focus entirely
on
the new presentation. I did not review, nor do I have access to a copy of, the original 2013 release put onto the market under the Warner Brothers
label.
Flashdance's new 1080p transfer is gorgeous through-and-through. The opening title sequence looks terrific, portending great things to come.
The interplay between shadow and light at the plant finds superb balance, reinforced by a genuine filmic front and supported by organically red titles.
The picture continues through with a firm, high yield presentation that is dramatically excellent. Grain holds steady for the duration. It's fine and filmic,
organic and flattering, a capable field that props up the image's textures and allows it to breathe within its source structure. It's beautiful and the
underlying textures are a delight. Object sharpness impresses in most every shot, including big tires and dusty, rocky terrain at the worksite seen early
in the film. Later, worn and weathered Pittsburgh exteriors dazzle, defining "Rust Belt" but also demonstrating the Blu-ray's remarkable command of the
textures on hand, which are many and diverse, also including fine skin and clothing elements. There is a mild inherent softness to the occasional shot
but nothing of scene-breaking concern. Colors are pleasing, certainly never so bold and brilliant as might be found on flashier, particularly more
modern and digitally shot, productions, but the beat-down Pittsburgh tones and dreary weather certainly translate quite well onto film and onto the
disc. The palette is as aggressive as it can be but it's just as much at home featuring those downtrodden tones. But it's the film-like screen
command that bolsters this presentation, and while a 4K release would have assuredly taken it to another level, there's no mistaking the Blu-ray
format's capabilities in bringing the film to life like never before for home consumption.
Though this disc and the Warner Brothers pressing both include primary DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtracks, I cannot say whether they
are identical; below is a fresh take on the presentation included here.
The enthusiastic, energetic 1980s musical beats define the track and dance out of the speakers with impressive positioning and beautiful fidelity. The
track lives within the construct of its tunes and the 5.1 track is up to the challenge of breathing newfound life and vitality into several now vintage,
classic songs. But it's not all about Pop; big, bold score enters the stage at the 27-minute mark with startling orchestral dazzle. Clarity is wonderful,
front width is terrific, and while the music dominates across the front there's just enough rear side support to help fully immerse the listener in the
moment. City and workplace atmospherics flow freely as necessary and always at proper positional placement and pinpoint volume for natural
immersion. Dialogue is generally clear with only a few hiccups where it loses that organic edge for a more compressed, digital sounding output, such as
at a quiet dialogue scene in the 10- and 11-minute mark. These are relatively few and far between; the track is commanding, musically invigorating,
and a pleasure from beginning to end.
Flashdance arrives on this new Blu-ray release as part of the studio's "Paramount Presents" line which includes unique packaging beyond
standard Blu-ray case and slipcover components. Find below a brief text overview as well as some photographs in the "screenshots" tab above. The disc
does include some new supplemental content which is marked as such below and reviewed. Coverage of the carryover content from the Warner
Brothers release can be found here. Note that several supplements are not included with this release.
These include The History of 'Flashdance,' 'Flashdance The Choreography,' 'Flashdance:' Music and Songs, and a teaser trailer.
Flashdance has earned A-list 1080p treatment for this new release. The picture quality is exceptional and very true to the picture's filmic roots and accentuating of its sublime cinematography. The audio track is strong, too. Fans will lament the absence of the full suite of supplements but collectors may find value in the packaging. Highly recommended.
1983
1983
Retro VHS Collection
1983
40th Anniversary Edition
1983
40th Anniversary Edition
1983
40th Anniversary Edition
1984
35th Anniversary Edition
1987
1983
2014
2006
2008
2013
2018
Dance-Off Edition
2008
1957
Young Man of Music / Warner Archive Collection
1950
Warner Archive Collection
1955
2007
Reissue
1972
1948
2010
2007
2010
2009
2014