7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.6 |
Rock and Roll singer is taken captive by a motorcycle gang in a strange world that seems to be a cross of the 1950's and the present or future. Her ex-boyfriend returns to town and to find her missing and goes to her rescue.
Starring: Michael Paré, Diane Lane, Willem Dafoe, Rick Moranis, Amy MadiganMusic | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.84:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
None
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 2.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Walter Hill's "Streets of Fire" (1984) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Second Sight Films. The supplemental features on the disc include Robert Fischer's new documentary film "Rumble on the Lot: Walter Hill's Streets of Fire Revisited"; collection of archival interviews with director Walter Hill, music producer Jimmy Iovine, cinematographer Andrew Laszlo, production designer John Vallone, Michael Pare, Amy Madigan, and Diane Lane, original teaser trailer, and on-air promos; and two original music videos. In English, without optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
"If you ever need me for something, I'll be there..."
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Walter Hill's Streets of Fire arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Second Sight Films.
The high-definition transfer is problematic. It has been struck from a dated source with a number of serious issues and it clearly shows. Close-ups never impress. Moderate to heavy noise consistently affects definition and in select areas even collapses the image (see screencapture #6). Contrast levels also fluctuate. Some of the brighter indoor footage, for instance, can look unbearably harsh. Additionally, light to moderate halo effects are very easy to spot throughout the entire film. Color reproduction is also disappointing. During the stage performances one can be fooled to believe that colors are lush and stable, but saturation is indeed problematic. Also, the presence of the noise mentioned earlier further affects color stability. The only relatively good news is that there are no large cuts, damage marks, or debris. All in all, it is disappointing to see that this very colorful and really quite beautiful film isn't transitioning to Blu-ray with a stronger high-definition transfer. As far as I am concerned, it can and should look substantially better in high-definition. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. For the record, Second Sight Films have not provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.
I viewed the film with the 5.1 track and have to say that I was quite impressed with its dynamic intensity. The majority of the action sequences, in particular, boast very good depth. Ry Cooder's soundtrack as well as the long stage performances have also benefited from the lossless treatment - there is a nice range of nuanced dynamics and balance is very good. The dialog is crisp, stable, free of problematic background hiss, and easy to follow. There are no audio dropouts or distortions to report in this review.
I have mixed feelings about this new Blu-ray release of Walter Hill's Streets of Fire. It comes with an excellent new documentary film by Robert Fischer which has some great interviews with the American director, art director James Allen, and actors Amy Madigan and Michael Pare; there is additional archival material on the disc as well. However, the release uses a problematic transfer, which most likely is the only one Universal Studios currently has available for licensing. In other words, I doubt Second Sight Films could have produced a better release. So, if you are a fan of the film I think that the new documentary is a good enough reason to consider adding the Blu-ray to your collection. If you are not a fan of the film, my advice to you is to find a way to RENT it.
Black Label 007
1982
1975
1985
2016
2012
1986
Ultimate Director's Cut
1979
1993
Premium Collection
1993
2009
1974
Brand New Restoration
1981
2018
1982
1982
2014
1976
30th Anniversary Edition
1979
1980
2016