This World, Then the Fireworks Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		2.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

This World, Then the Fireworks Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 25, 2017

There’s been a longstanding Hollywood fascination with the works of author Jim Thompson. He’s a writer specializing in dark poetry, creating ugly characters involved in ugly business, unable to touch the bottom of the pool when it comes to the depths of horrible business. Of course, this is catnip to filmmakers, with 1997’s “This World, Then the Fireworks” a particularly itchy adaptation of a Thompson novella, with the production working very hard to make as claustrophobic and freewheeling a movie as possible.

Director Michael Oblowitz and screenwriter Larry Gross have Thompson’s interests in mind as they construct this valentine to murder and deception, glossing the whole thing with noir style and sway, while puckering the viewing experience with dark comedy, almost slipping into satire at times. As the old saying goes, “Not every book needs to be a movie,” and “This World, Then the Fireworks” is a prime example of a wayward, half-realized idea hammered onto celluloid, with Oblowitz paying more attention to lighting and close-ups than storytelling, making for a dreary, unsatisfying sit.

This World, Then the Fireworks Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.90:1 aspect ratio) presentation is taken from an older scan of "This World, Then the Fireworks," delivered with a mild amount of baked-in filtering that keeps the viewing experience more flat than filmic. Detail isn't there, with softness apparent and natural textures difficult to come by. Colors remain the highlight, but even true hues have trouble emerging, offering a slightly muddy palette instead of shockingly vibrant changes in appearance. Delineation also showcases difficulty, with periodic solidification. Source is free of overt damage.

This World, Then the Fireworks Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix finds music and performances often competing for attention, with dialogue exchanges periodically losing the battle, missing clarity around hotter jazz selections. Music retains instrumentation and volume, selling the period mood with heft. Atmospherics are detailed, and sound effects retain snap.

This World, Then the Fireworks Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (15:44, HD) with director Michael Oblowitz explores his interest in bringing the works of Jim Thompson to the screen, trying to launch film adaptations of "The Killer Inside Me" and "The Grifters" before settling on "This World, Then the Fireworks." Script development is examined, soon moving on to technical achievements, including an explanation of the color choices used in the movie, which identify character temperaments. Oblowitz also shares the trials of making an L.A. noir in North Carolina (with "Hudsucker Proxy" sets).

• Interview (16:42, HD) with screenwriter Larry Gross dissects his effort of adaptation and intent, remaining true to the spirit of Thompson. Gross shares his thoughts on casting and performances, and details overall production accomplishments, remaining proud of the work and a little amazed the team was able to pull off so much in a short amount of time.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:54, SD) is included.

This World, Then the Fireworks Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"This World, Then the Fireworks" is teeming with sex and violence, but the film doesn't connect in any meaningful way. It's cheeky, but never funny. It's stylish, but rarely compelling. It's angry, but hardly threatening. Perhaps Thompson would've approved of this cinematic chaos, but I find it difficult to believe anyone outside the author's inner circle is going to be mesmerized by this misfire.