St. Elmo's Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

St. Elmo's Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 28, 2025

1985’s “St. Elmo’s Fire” is a divisive picture, but it does have a place in film history. It’s commonly regarded as the birth of the “Brat Pack” era, when young stars were taking over Hollywood, using their style and beauty to help mix personal and professional interests, which some viewed as too aggressive. It’s also the first major commercial and cultural hit for co-writer/director Joel Schumacher, who grew as a visual storyteller throughout the rest of the 1980s (including “The Lost Boys,” “Cousins,” and “Flatliners”). However, there are the characters in the feature that cause intense debate, as the script submits seven post-college people newly dealing with the demands of adulthood without a fully developed sense of maturity. It’s a tough sell for some, and while “St. Elmo’s Fire” makes curious creative choices, the offering actually manages to connect ideas concerning stunted emotional growth, fading friendships, and the troubling demands of life without a perceived safety net. That’s not to suggest it’s an intellectual exercise, but there’s more to the endeavor than the soap opera Schumacher occasionally wants to make.

It's been four months since Kirby (Emilio Estevez), Leslie (Ally Sheedy), Wendy (Mare Winningham), Alec (Judd Nelson), Jules (Demi Moore), Kevin (Andrew McCarthy), and Billy (Rob Lowe) graduated from Georgetown University, and the adjustment to real life has been difficult. Billy is an alcoholic with a wife and new baby, but he denies all responsibility, also remaining a temptation for Wendy, a rich girl who’s trying to do some good in the world. Alec is living with Leslie, embracing a new political future while attempting to turn his girlfriend into a housewife, unwilling to be faithful until she marries him. Kevin is a struggling writer who’s deeply in love with Leslie, but can’t admit his feelings. Kirby is determined to romance med student Dale (Andie MacDowell), but she doesn’t return his feelings. And Jules battles drinking, drugs, and debt, unable and unwilling to face her cold reality as she prioritizes her party life.

“St. Elmo’s Fire” opens with a potential disaster, cutting through the dewiness of graduation memory with a near-death experience for Billy and Wendy as they survive a drunk-driving accident. It’s an event that signals trouble for all, exploring this mass friendship as it gathers to help one another, though now they live separate lives. The screenplay revisits this idea of past connection repeatedly in the feature, studying the gang as they handle their new realities away from the womb of college, and it’s not a pretty picture. Characterization is generally handled well with such a large ensemble, as Schumacher (and co-writer Carl Kurlander) makes room for everyone, following these troubled minds as they experience relationship issues and secret desires, regrouping every now and then for a hit of the old life, including time at their preferred dive, St. Elmo’s Bar.

Subplots weave around crises, keeping the film moving forward as problems come for everyone. There’s certainly a level of superficiality to the movie, but Schumacher delivers reasonable emotional depth as young people try to handle their roles in the world. Billy’s arc is the most realistic, following the self-destruction of a guy who thrived on the permissible chaos of college and the highs of frat life. He’s newly saddled with responsibilities and can’t handle it, getting desperate and damaging as he refuses to process adulthood. There’s a brief but sharp scene where Billy returns to campus, treated as “Billy the Kid” again by his frat bros, suddenly interested in Georgetown employment to reenter this comfort zone.

There’s authentic sadness in “St. Elmo’s Fire” to help balance out melodrama, which isn’t something Schumacher is afraid of, getting a little crazy with Jules and her coked-up misery, and Kevin’s tour of lovesickness is handed too much screen time. And there’s the whole thing with Kirby and his pursuit (stalking?) of Dale, finding a level of frustration, even rage, that’s a tonal tightrope walk Schumacher doesn’t fully master. However, again, there are behavioral truths buried in the excess which makes potentially off-putting moments somewhat interesting.

For previous analysis and information, please read Martin Liebman’s 2009 Blu-ray review.

St. Elmo's Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps do not fully reflect the final product.

"St. Elmo's Fire" was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2009, and Sony returns to the title for its 40th anniversary, delivering a UHD release. Admittedly, the Dolby Vision viewing experience has a few moments of oddness, most notably around the 16 and 47 minute marks, where outdoor encounters are suddenly blasted with a heavy yellow appearance for these sunny day encounters. While I don't have the Blu-ray release to compare, I have seen the feature before, and don't recall such intensity, and online clips and trailers don't hint at a major yellow push that's been previously muted. It's curious and distracting (especially for an autumnal setting), but the rest of the viewing experience generally brings out the best in the original cinematography. "St. Elmo's Fire" is a movie that uses color, and primaries are especially potent here, exploring deep reds and blues throughout. Greenery is distinct, and town life maintains cooler hues. Snowy whites are sharp, and more extreme looks, including Jules's apartment, maintain their hot pink appearance. Skin tones are natural. Detail is strong, securing skin particulars on the cast and textures on hair. Costuming is fibrous, ranging from casual wear to heavier weather outfits. Interiors are open for inspection, visiting cavernous living spaces loaded with decorative additions. Exteriors are dimensional, visiting campus and town life. Blacks are deep, preserving evening activity. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition.

St. Elmo's Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 7.1 Dolby TrueHD mix is an improvement on the 5.1 DTS-HD MA track, provided a deeper feel for low-end activity with musical moments, hitting a little harder during stage performances. Scoring is also weightier, delivering synth and sax (which is very pronounced, but I believe it's always been this way) support, and instrumentation is sharp. Musical offerings do carry some surround engagement, and there's pleasing wideness at times. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, handling performance choices and softer emotional moments. Atmospherics are appreciable, delving into community bustle and hectic bar events. Naturalistic touches are also present.

St. Elmo's Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Joel Schumacher.

• "Joel Schumacher Remembers 'St. Elmo's Fire'" (14:21, SD) is an interview with the co-writer/director of the film, who was in the process of making "D.C. Cab" when inspiration struck to explore Georgetown and its inhabitants, eventually partnering with his assistant Carl Kurlander to create a screenplay. Studio interest was minimal, as one executive lambasted Schumacher for creating "seven of the most unlikable humans he'd even seen in a screenplay." Technical credits are celebrated, including widescreen cinematography intended to keep all the characters together, helping to speed up the shoot. The origin of the "Brat Pack" label and magazine article is recalled, which was created during production on "St. Elmo's Fire." Casting is analyzed, highlighting the hiring of Demi Moore for her beauty, while Rob Lowe was laser focused on securing a part. The interviewee examines controversial story choices with Kirby's infatuation subplot, and he shares the speedy post-production process, as the release date was moved up to a summer release at the last minute. Schumacher also reflects on the success of the feature, and its shifting meaning from what was originally intended.

• Deleted Scenes (16:18, SD) are provided. Titles include "Too Young," "A New Car," "How About Lunch," "There is No Billy the Kid," "The Woman in the Fur Coat," "Someone Tell Me What Happened," "I'm a Loser," "Secret Obsession," "Just Pick a Date," "A Very Well-Dressed Fool," "Where's the Defroster," and "That's My Dad." While no major excised plot points are included here, the scenes do provide additional character dimension, especially Wendy and her difficult relationship with her father.

• Original Making Of Featurette (8:42, SD) is an EPK offering that attempts to sell this "story of the '80s." Interviewees include co-writer/director Joel Schumacher, producer Lauren Schuler, and actors Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy, Mare Winningham, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Andrew McCarthy, and Emilio Estevez. While no major revelations are included here, the cast receives a chance to discuss their characters, and Lowe discusses his quick jump from "Youngblood" to "St. Elmo's Fire," dealing with both movies at the same time.

• "Man in Motion" (4:14, SD) is a music video for the monster hit, Lisa Simpson-approved song from "St. Elmo's Fire," performed by John Parr.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:31, HD) is included.

St. Elmo's Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As of this writing, there are plans to sequelize "St. Elmo's Fire" after 40 years, thanks to the success of Andrew McCarthy's documentary "Brats," which helped to refresh viewers on the movie and its influential ways. While a reunion with these characters after decades away is enticing, it's difficult to see how anyone could recapture the vibe of the feature, which is so distinctly of its era, thrillingly so at times. Criticisms of characterization are valid (there's too much casual cruelty here), and Schumacher doesn't always possess the clarity or willingness to support more enlightened arcs for the personalities. But he does have style, a terrific soundtrack and score, and a cast hungry to play in this world of bruised hearts and bad decisions. With certain expectations in position, "St. Elmo's Fire" actually has a few honest ideas to share on growing pains and friendships.