7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.8 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.8 |
A part-time exterminator and full-time drug addict named Bill Lee plunges into the nightmarish Interzone, a netherworld of sinister cabals and giant talking bugs.
Starring: Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm, Julian Sands, Roy ScheiderDrama | 100% |
Surreal | 43% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
4K Ultra HD
Region B (A, C untested)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Some of the often fascinating supplements Arrow has aggregated for this release either overtly mention or allude to the fact that William S. Burroughs' writing might be properly classified as "unadaptable", at least insofar as novels are typically transformed into screenplays and then finished films. That may be one reason why David Cronenberg, certainly more capable of handling the immensity of Burroughs' work than many directors, opted not to do any kind of traditional "page to screen" translation, instead himself alluding to the source tome while also working in any number of supposedly extracurricular items which nonetheless had tethers to Burroughs' own real life. The result is one of the most hallucinatory films probably of all time, but one with an almost impossibly literary and "meta" approach that certain elevates it above any number of other films featuring mutant bugs (and, yes, that's a joke). In fact, the hallucinatory aspect of the film is itself overt, with any number of characters ingesting or injecting a potent drug being used by exterminator Bill Lee (Peter Weller), a character based on Burroughs, who had employment as just such an "agent of death" when writing wasn't paying the bills.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from Arrow's standalone 1080 release of the film. Per Arrow's standard operation procedure, this 4K UHD
release does not include a 1080 disc of the film.
Naked Lunch is presented in 4K UHD of Arrow Video with a 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet
contains
the following information on the restoration:
Naked Lunch has been exclusively restored by Turbine in partnership with Arrow Films and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with a restored mix of the original stereo audio, as well as a legacy 5.1 mix.Fans of this film are going to be well pleased in my estimation, with a transfer that offers really sumptuous suffusion and some nicely improved detail levels from already excellent levels on Arrow's 1080 version. Dolby Vision and/or HDR have added some rather interesting highlights toward both the warm and cool ends of the spectrum, though I'd say in general this 4K UHD presentation may have just a bit more of the flushed red-orange appearance that the Criterion version has, and which Arrow's 1080 presentation tends not to emphasize quite as much. This is a rather incremental difference in any regard, though, and really the palette differences that most immediately struck my eyes were more in the green and blue territory (the almost cobalt blue gown Davis wears in one scene late in the film is almost impossibly vivid in this version). Even the somewhat drab browns, ochres, yellows and beiges can pop a bit more exuberantly in this version. Detail levels are at least marginally improved throughout in this version, and shadow detail in some of the dimly lit interior scenes can also show improvement. Grain is very nicely resolved throughout, and regular readers of my reviews will know that I'm not always a fan of how grain looks in the increased resolution of 4K UHD discs.
The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K at Difuze, Toronto, Canada. The film was conformed, graded and restored in 4K in standard dynamic range, HDR10 and Dolby Vision at LSP Medien, Uelzen, Germany.
The original stereo soundtrack was remastered from the magnetic printmasters.
The 5.1 mix was provided by StudioCanal.
The transfer was supervised by Director of Photography Peter Suschitzky at Silver Salt Restoration, London, UK, and the restoration was approved by Director David Cronenberg.
Naked Lunch offers LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 options. The stereo track offers more than capable support for the film's sound design, though the 5.1 mix does open up effects and ambient environmental sounds in particular, as well as offering a more spacious account of Howard Shore's often intriguing score. There are no issues whatsoever with regard to damage, dropouts or distortion. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
Note: Arrow's standalone 1080 release includes two 1080 discs. This 4K UHD release offers all of the same supplementary content on one BD 100:
- Jeremy Thomas (HD; 15:32) was filmed in 2022 for Turbine.
- Peter Weller (HD; 1:01:53) was filmed in 2022 by Arrow.
- Peter Suschitzky (HD; 11:01) was filmed in 2022 by Arrow.
- Chris Walas (HD; 18:36) was filmed in 2022 by Arrow.
- Howard Shore (HD; 17:09) was filmed in 2022 for Turbine.
- Promotional Stills and Posters (HD)
- From the Collection of Chris Rodley (HD)
This may in fact not be William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I can't think of a director more preternaturally qualified to work with Burroughs' material and fashion it to his own ends, and Cronenberg's film is a rather healthy helping of ingredients on its own merits. Arrow offers a release with solid technical merits and some really outstanding supplements. Highly recommended.
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