One False Move Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.5

One False Move Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 9, 2023

Carl Franklin's "One False Move" (1992) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include new program with Carl Franklin and Billy Bob Thronton; archival audio commentary by Carl Franklin; and newly restored vintage trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

It would have been a crime if Carl Franklin’s One False Move had disappeared into oblivion, which apparently was a very real possibility. According to Franklin, it was because of the enormous support of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert that One False Move received plenty of theatrical exposure and then went on to acquire something of a cult status. Sound strange? Well, it shouldn’t because this is a fate that is shared by a lot of other independent American films from the early ‘90s. For example, John Dahl’s directorial debut, Kill Me Again, popped up on the radar of a lot of casual viewers only after he made The Last Seduction. You may have forgotten, or simply do not know, but Joel and Ethan Coen’s Blood Simple, which came out a little earlier, wasn’t exactly an instant mainstream hit either. It needed support too, and it took some time for casual viewers to discover it. So, even though nowadays many of these films are rightfully regarded as great cult films, when they were first released too many of them struggled mightily to just stay alive.

One False Move is a lot like Blood Simple. It has obvious noirish qualities and seems perfectly happy to promote them, but it is a lot easier to profile simply as a stylish piece of Americana. However, these films work as well as they do for two drastically different reasons. Indeed, Blood Simple has a very wicked sense of humor, and even though it is not a show-off piece it takes great pride in its visual appearance. Also, it is a pretty violent film, but not one that makes you feel uncomfortable. One False Move has a detectable sense of humor too, but it is something of an embellishment that complements its rough personality, which is shaped by its desire to be seen as realistic. The violence in it hits you pretty hard as well because it comes from a place that is very familiar and authentic.

In Los Angeles, a trio of thieves -- Pluto (Michael Beach), Ray Malcolm (Billy Bob Thornton), and his girlfriend Fantasia (Cynda Williams) -- execute a local drug dealer and his visiting friends, steal a large load of cocaine and a bag of money from his vault, and decide to head toward Star City, Arkansas. However, a video camera allows the local authorities to figure out their plan, and shortly after detectives Dud Cole (Jim Metzler) and John McFeely (Earl Billings) phone Chief of Police Dale ‘Hurricane’ Dixon (Bill Paxton) to let him know that they will need his assistance to capture the thieves. The call instantly transforms Dixon into the happiest man in town because he is finally getting an opportunity to deal with a real crime and prove that he is just as good as his colleagues from the big city. When Cole and McFeely appear in Star City, Dixon takes them under his wing and does his best to make them realize that he has the entire situation under control, but instead creates the exact opposite impression. As the thieves approach Star City, Dixon then realizes that his past is about to seriously complicate his work and further compromise his image before the visitors.

Franklin directs with confidence and precision that make One False Move look like a pretty big and expensive project that would have been greenlighted by a major studio. But it was not that kind of a project. It was a pretty small independent film that was done with a limited budget and a great deal of pure enthusiasm.

The actual strength of One False Move, however, is hidden elsewhere. It is in its willingness to impress a mature audience that can recognize important details and nuances. In other words, instead of bombarding its audience with scripted messages and tired cliches about numerous stereotypes, prejudices, and misconceptions One False Move allows its unfiltered story to produce organic contrasts that are quite powerful.

The cast is appropriately loose and the chemistry that materializes before Franklin’s camera is quite special as well. Given the nature of the original material, the end product truly is as good of a film as you could have seen in the theater in the early ‘90s. (Apparently, I.R.S Media, which was the company that produced One False Move, had arranged to send it straight to the home video market. Siskel and Ebert’s very positive coverage changed this plan).

One False Move 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, One False Move arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the leaflet that is provided with this release:

"One False Move was restored in 4K by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Scanning was completed by Roundabout Entertainment in Burbank, California, from the original 35mmcamera negative. HDR color grading was completed by colorist David Bernstein at Roundabout Entertainment in Santa Monica, California. Digital restoration services were completed at Prasad in Burbank. The audio restoration and conform were conducted at BluWave Audio in Universal City, California, and sourced from the 35mm original 2.0 surround magnetic tracks. Restoration was supervisd by Rita Belda for Sony Pictures Entertainment. Color was approved by director Carl Franklin. Please be sure to enable Dolby Pol Logic decoding on your receiver to properly play the Dolby 2.0 surround soundtrack."

The release introduces a brand new 4K restoration of One False Move, which is also available on 4K Blu-ray. (You can see our listing and review of the combo release here). I viewed the 4K restoration in native 4K on the 4K Blu-ray and only tested several areas of the 1080p presentation on this release.

The entire film looks a lot healthier now. Delineation, clarity, and depth are superior in daylight and darker footage. Density levels are improved, but there are some native fluctuations that affect grain exposure. Color balance is very good and in my opinion more convincing on this release. (Last year, we reviewed this Australian release which is sourced from an older master that is graded differently). It introduces a few marginally cooler primaries and supporting nuances. The main discrepancy between the 1080p and 4K presentations is in the dynamic range of the visuals. On the 4K presentation, most visuals look lusher and in select areas produce superior ranges of nuances and minor details. However, on a large screen, I think that the 1080p and 4K presentations boast equally strong visuals. Image stability is excellent. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

One False Move Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The original press materials that we received for this release indicated that it will feature an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Something must have changed because the 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray have only DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks. On my system, the 2.0 track sounded terrific. In one particular area -- the shootout at the end of the film -- it seems to be producing even superior dynamic contrasts. (I ran a few quick comparisons with the 2.0 track from the recent Australian release of One False Move). The dialog is very clear, sharp, and easy to follow.

One False Move Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Carl Franklin and initially appeared on the R1 DVD release of One False Move that Sony Pictures produced in 1998. It is a very technical commentary with plenty of factual information about the casting and shooting processes, the scoring of the film, its style and the drama that is at the heart of its story. There are some very interesting comments about the film's promotional and theatrical campaigns as well. If you enjoy the film, find the time to listen to the commentary in its entirety.

• Carl Franklin and Billy Bob Thornton - in this exclusive new program, Carl Franklin and Billy Bob Thronton discuss the genesis of One False Move -- and mention some very interesting facts about the evolution of the screenplay that inspired it as well as its multiple titles -- its characters and their relationships, and the film's tone and personality. Also, there are some very interesting comments about the film's publicity and reception. In English, not subtitled. (28 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a newly restored original trailer for One False Move. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by author William Boyle as well as technical credits.

One False Move Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

One False Move is one of the very best independent films from the 1990s and unquestionably Carl Franklin's masterpiece. It is great that it was restored in 4K and now has a spot in the Criterion Collection. If you decide to acquire One False Move for your library, please keep in mind that is also available on 4K Blu-ray. You can see our listing and review of the 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo release here. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.