Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Summer of Sam Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown June 2, 2014

With Disney's two-volume, four-movie Spike Lee Joint Collection, three additional films from the prolific director make their Blu-ray debut. Both sets are something of a mixed bag, albeit for different reasons. Vol. 1 features masterfully written and performed, low-key character study 25th Hour (2002) and the mismatched but compelling He Got Game (1998), each of which showcase a distinct side of Lee's talents and vision. Easily the most tempting of the collection, Vol. 1 may be an odd pairing, but it's one that represents the filmmaker at an interesting intersect in his career; before the likes of Oldboy (2013) -- an abysmal remake in every conceivable way -- left viewers questioning whether Lee still, erm, got game. Vol. 2 is the trickier collection, with excellent but oft-overlooked period piece Summer of Sam (1999) dragged down by misguided war drama Miracle at St. Anna (2008), a late career misfire first released in high definition in 2009 (the only film previously available on BD). Completests will no doubt want to acquire Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, while other longtime Lee fans will lament the fact that the films haven't been granted individual releases (particularly for those who already own Miracle and are only looking to pick up Summer). Thankfully, notable AV presentations and newly recorded audio commentaries will help ensure almost everyone get's their money's worth.

During New York City's infamous summer of 1977, friends in a small Italian neighborhood become convinced that the notorious Son of Sam killer is someone close to home as the madman's reign of terror sparks a wave of distrust that tears several relationships apart. The film stars John Leguizamo, Mira Sorvino, Adrien Brody, Jennifer Esposito, Michael Rispoli and Anthony LaPaglia.

Very few Spike Lee films go unnoticed. Yet Summer of Sam is just such a rarity, largely underrated upon its release and nearly forgotten in the fifteen years since. While Lee had already proven himself a craftsman of inner-city dramas set in the midst of cultural upheaval, the film wasn't greeted with the instant-classic welcome afforded the still-engrossing Do the Right Thing; a consequence of less dynamic subject matter perhaps, but, more to the point, that of a less socially substantive and relevant film. (Released in July of 1999, no less. A benchmark year in modern cinema, and a crowded summer at that.) In many ways, though, Summer of Sam is a companion piece to Do the Right Thing, with another powder keg of racial, political and socioeconomic tensions that present a very real danger to those caught in its blast radius; small neighborhood working stiffs and nobodies whose paranoia and deep-seated fears are a greater threat to the community -- and each other -- than any killer. Zodiac, this is not. The rhythm of it all is wonderfully realized, the early and mid-70s music suitably cool, and the actors uniformly terrific, even with Lee's flair for hyperstylized characters and stereotypes inching nearer and nearer to distraction. It only helps that Lee and co-writers Victor Colicchio and Michael Imperioli's sizzling, carefully seared script is satisfying, filling and seldom hard to swallow.

Summer of Sam Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Summer of Sam's low-key, man-on-the-street visuals embrace the feverish paranoia that runs rampant through the film, and Disney's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation follows suit. Even though the image is inherently softer, grainier and more washed out than some might expect, it's all in step with Lee and cinematographer Ellen Kuras' intentions. Primaries are diluted, black levels are muted, and skintones only reasonably well-saturated, yes. But it's important to note that the more stylized flashes of the Son of Sam investigation and crime scenes don't suffer the same fate. (Revealing the culprit in most instances to be Lee's film stock and Kuras' photography.) However, while detail is typically sacrificed for the director's artistic choices, a small degree of noise reduction and minor ringing are also at play. Fortunately, much of the grain field seems to have survived any polishing. Other than some general dulling and intermittent examples of smearing, neither issue takes much of a toll. Significant macroblocking, banding, aliasing and other anomalies are held at bay, and little else is cause for concern. The subsequent presentation falls short of "definitive," and would certainly benefit from a newer remaster, but it's a far cry from its DVD counterpart.

Summer of Sam Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Summer of Sam's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track simmers with the suspense and tension -- racial, social and sexual -- boiling just beneath the surface. The fully immersive soundfield is all at once convincing and hyper-realistic, bustling with cleverly agitated directionality and frayed sonic nerves courtesy of every channel. Rear speaker activity is relentless and arresting, broadening the soundscape and creating a fully enveloping experience. LFE output is equally impressive, lending a weight and ferocity to the slow-build chaos that promises to erupt by film's end. Moreover, dialogue is naturalistic but intelligible throughout, holding its own in the flood of Lee's style and substance. And the music? Meticulously balanced to reflect the raw, threadbare sensibilities of the narrative without undermining the fidelity of the '70s classics and more obscure gems showcased.

Summer of Sam Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary: Director/co-writer Spike Lee and "main man" John Leguizamo are old friends, and the two are still enthusiastic about all they were able to achieve with Summer of Sam. Discussion encompasses the extensive research Lee required from his cast, the film's visual style and chapter structure, the events that led to Michael Imperioli bowing out of the lead role (which went to Adrien Brody), the authenticity of the production design, costumes and audio cues, the script and story, and, really, every aspect of the production a filmfan could hope to see explored. An excellent, engaging track from start to finish.

Summer of Sam Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Summer of Sam is strong enough to stand on its own, outside of a two-movie collection, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers. The simple fact that it's even available on Blu-ray is something of a small home-theater miracle, neglected and underrated as it tends to be. A solid AV presentation and newly recorded audio commentary make it that much more worthy of its high definition debut, even if fans will need to add one of Lee's worst films, Miracle at St. Anna, to their collection to enjoy and experience what so many others before them have tragically overlooked. Give Summer of Sam a shot. Chances are you won't regret it.