Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 8, 2024

1994’s “The Getaway” is the second adaptation of a 1958 Jim Thompson novel, with the material previously covered in a 1972 Sam Peckinpah film starring Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw. While both endeavors certainly lack the roughness of the source material, the 1994 effort definitely aims to turn up the heat with stars (and real-life married couple at the time) Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, who are tasked with amplifying the sex appeal of the crime story, while going deeper into the intimate issues facing the central characters. “The Getaway” is a pulpy ride of bad people doing horrible things, and director Roger Donaldson (“No Way Out,” “Species”) wisely keeps the action kinetic, with the remake at its most involving when following the central couple as they try to evade capture and deal with relationship concerns. The rest of the picture has more persistent pacing and performance issues, but nothing that derails an otherwise compelling study of trust and revenge.

Doc (Alec Baldwin) and Carol (Kim Basinger) are married and involved in criminal activity. Doc is sharp when it comes to planning and executing heists and extractions, which is just the type of intensity Rudy (Michael Madsen) is looking for when a payday arrives to help break the son of a Mexican gangster out of jail. The job goes as planned, but escape is impossible, with Doc abandoned by Rudy, leaving him to rot in a Mexican prison. Desperate to change his situation, Doc encourages Carol to contact Jack (James Woods), an influential underworld figure capable of pulling the prisoner out of his location. Newly tasked by Jack to break into a safe loaded with cash at a dog track, Doc is reunited with Rudy and joined by Frank (Philip Seymour Hoffman), with the team looking to make a quick fortune with help from Carol. Rudy has other plans, looking to double cross Doc, taking a bullet for his betrayal. However, the gunman isn’t killed, newly motivated to pursue his enemy as Doc and Carol hunt for a way out of this mess, facing police interest, media attention, and the force of Jim Deer (David Morse), Jack’s top enforcer.

Doc’s temper and his skill with reading people triggers most of the action in “The Getaway,” which commences with the jailbreak job, watching the team work to extract their target without being detected. Donaldson looks to generate a propulsive atmosphere for the movie, keeping his camera on the move and editing reasonably tight, allowing viewers to get caught up in the thrill of criminal behavior and Doc’s precise planning. “The Getaway” also strives to reinforce the power of Doc and Carol’s relationship, which is rocky, but they remain devoted to each other. The helmer makes sure to explore their sexual chemistry as well through a few heated encounters, adding some eroticism to blend with violence, creating proper adult entertainment. The feature works very well with Baldwin and Basinger, who strive to convey the rough edges of the coupling, which is eventually tested by a year-long separation as Doc goes to prison, urging Carol to visit Jack for help, only the payment for his release is too high for his liking.

Issues of jealousy begin to infiltrate the story of “The Getaway,” leading to a few charged encounters between Doc and Carol, giving Baldwin and Basinger room to play with these damaged, paranoid people. The couple’s descent into divide is the most compelling subplot to follow in the feature, keeping the twosome on the run as they deal with a bag full of money and a plan to reach sanctuary in El Paso, with crooks, cops, and henchmen standing in their way. Far less appealing is time with Rudy, who finds medical help for his bullet wound from Harold (James Stephens), a local veterinarian, casually taking the man’s wife, Fran (Jennifer Tilly), as his sexual plaything while forcing the two to drive to El Paso. Mental illness and lurid activity is defined in this part of the movie, but it’s remarkable how awful Madsen is in “The Getaway.” Never a strong actor, Madsen is completely tuned out of the production, offering flat line-readings and the general appearance of fatigue, and Rudy’s meant to be the main threat of the story. Time with the brute and his torment of Harold becomes unbearable due to such lousy acting, and these asides slam the brakes on an otherwise snappy pursuit film.

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Getaway" doesn't represent a fresh scan of the feature, which was previously released in 2007 as an HD DVD title. However, there's an adequate viewing experience in store for fans of the movie, including a decent look at skin particulars on the cast as they deal with wounds, sweat, and lustful moments. Costuming retains some fibrousness as well. Exteriors preserve depth as the characters travel around southwest locations. Interiors provide an acceptable look at decorative additions. Colors are adequate with some age, preserving the sun-blasted hues of the endeavor. Fashion choices offer brighter primaries, and skin tones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Compression holds together. Source is in good shape.

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix offers crisp dialogue exchanges, handling performances choices and the intensity of argumentative behavior without distortive extremes. Scoring delivers sharp instrumentation and dimension, with musical moods carrying into the surrounds. Atmospherics are lively at times, capturing the movement of vehicles and community bustle, with a few panning effects. Low-end isn't powerful, lacking some punch with explosions. Sound effects retain snappy gunfire and squealing wheels.

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film critic Travis Woods.

• "Ambushed" (19:22, HD) is a discussion of scoring "The Getaway" with composer Mark Isham. The interviewee explores his mission to find "the voice of the action," dealing with director Roger Donaldson, who wanted a more "contemporary sound" for the picture. Isham goes into the layers of music for the movie and instrumentation uses to generate these ideas, also explaining certain character themes. During the conversation, selections from the score are played, exploring the moods Isham aimed to achieve.

• "Double-Crossed" (17:28, HD) is an appreciation piece from writer C. Courtney Joyner.

• Making Of Featurette (4:36, SD) is an EPK-style offering of salesmanship for "The Getaway." Plot information is provided, along with BTS footage. Interviews with director Roger Donaldson and actors Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, James Woods, Jennifer Tilly and Michael Madsen offer some thoughts on characterization and audience expectations for an action picture in the 1990s.

• Behind-The-Scenes (5:53, SD) collects various moments from the making of "The Getaway," examining the creation of takes and shot preparation. It's interesting, fly-on-the-wall stuff, providing a look at the acting process in motion, along with the technical beats of film production.

• Archive Interview (2:34, SD) is a chat with actor Alec Baldwin, who explores characterization and plot in "The Getaway," detailing storytelling points and motivations. The interviewee also reinforces the importance of realism with stunt work, celebrating the production team.

• Archive Interview (2:16, SD) is a brief discussion of "The Getaway" with actress Kim Basinger. Character motivations are analyzed, highlighting the headspace of Carol McCoy as she experiences a variety of emotional moments in the picture. Basinger also praises the material for its concentration on the McCoy relationship.

• Image Gallery (3:31) collects poster art, film stills, publicity shots, and lobby cards.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:24, SD) is included.

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Getaway" doesn't spend a lot of time in reflection mode, keeping Doc and Carol on the run as they deal with physical and mental health challenges, working on their bond while facing men with guns. It all leads to an exciting final act of hotel stalking and shooting, with Donaldson staying with the basics in villainy and bloodshed. He's no Peckinpah, but the helmer manages to rework the material into something diverting, keeping things a little broader (including a lip-licking performance from Woods) but rousing at times. And there's tremendous entertainment value in watching Baldwin and Basinger play hotheaded types trying to remain devoted to each other, besting McQueen and MacGraw in the chemistry department with performances that occasionally seem very real before they retreat back into action mode.