Tromeo & Juliet 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Tromeo & Juliet 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Before he was Mr. DC Universe and before he gave Marvel significant hits with the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, James Gunn was just a young man with a dream to make movies. And to help begin his journey into the industry, he went to Troma Entertainment for help, who were delighted to pay almost nothing for the services of a desperate writer. 1996’s “Tromeo and Juliet” is Gunn’s first produced endeavor, and he’s working hard to play into the Troma Way, serving up a “loose” Shakespeare adaptation that’s big on dead animals, farts, a close-up nipple piercing, screaming matches, a penis monster, and plenty of head trauma. Director Lloyd Kaufman has no interest in making a different kind of movie, once again recycling “Tromatic” attitude and shock value for “Tromeo and Juliet,” retaining his love for overlong scenes, amateur performances, and low-budget storytelling that favors the minimal in production polish.

Tromeo & Juliet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Tromeo and Juliet" was previously issued by Troma Entertainment all the way back in 2010. As with most home video releases from the company, the results weren't up to snuff. Vinegar Syndrome returns to the title with a new UHD release, listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The feature is insanely colorful at times, and production style choices are nicely preserved here, often encountering blazing primaries on paint and costuming. Punk appearances are distinct, along with New York City locations, which offer a cooler, concrete feel. Makeup is bright and blood is a deep red. Skin tones are natural. Detail is strong throughout the viewing experience, working past focus issues the production occasionally deals with. Skin particulars are textured, joined by gory additions and monster makeup, along with other slimy creature creations. Exteriors are dimensional, touring NYC environments, and interiors preserve most decorative additions, keeping the Troma way going as backgrounds are loaded up with imagery. Blacks are deep and highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Tromeo & Juliet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA works with intelligible dialogue exchanges for the overexcited performances in "Tromeo and Juliet," but sibilance issues are present throughout the sound event. Music carries throughout the feature, but Troma mixes tend to downplay such accompaniment, keeping soundtrack cuts and assorted pieces of scoring muted but appreciable. Sound effects are identifiable, handling goopy, forceful acts of violence.

Tromeo & Juliet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Lloyd Kaufman.

• Commentary #2 features writer James Gunn and actor Sean Gunn.

• Commentary #3 features writer James Gunn and director Lloyd Kaufman.

• Commentary #4 features editor Frank Reynolds and "Poultrygeist" editor Gabriel Friedman.

• "The Bard of Barf" (15:26, HD) is an interview with director Lloyd Kaufman, conducted by film historian Jesse Berberich. The interviewee explores the birth of "Tromeo and Juliet," beginning work on the project before James Gunn was involved, but he was drawn to the writer and his unusual boastful ways. Sharing fondness for other "Romeo and Juliet" adaptations, Kaufman examines his intent to amplify the sexuality of the story in his version, happy to explore "young people filled with juices." Casting is examined, including the firing of one actor after the first day of filming, and technical achievements are celebrated, recalling work around New York City. The conversation also examines the Troma ending for the picture, and the release of the endeavor is detailed.

• "The Lasting Love of 'Tromeo and Juliet'" (17:21, HD) is an interview with actors Will Keenan and Jane Jensen (recorded separately), who share their audition story, discovering that Troma was hiring, and trying something different with a Shakespeare adaptation. Finally reading the script, shock was immediate, pushing the pair to make a decision about committing to the project. Memories of director Lloyd Kaufman and writer James Gunn are shared, and physical challenges are recalled, including Jensen's encounter with worms and rats, also enduring extensive makeup effects work. Life post-"Troma and Juliet" is provided, with Jensen finding her way back into a music career despite having a good time making the picture.

• "A Punk Rock Chorus" (19:37, HD) is an interview with actors Debbie Rochon, Tiffany Shepis, and Valentine Miele (recorded separately). Casting stories and personal connections are highlighted, with Miele pals with Sean Gunn, helping to secure him a part in "Tromeo and Juliet." Shepis has her own incredible tale, lying about her age to join the cast, which didn't seem to bother Troma. Anecdotes from the shoot are shared, with Rochon slightly resistant to nudity, dealing with a Troma set, and memories of director Lloyd Kaufman are provided. Stunt work is also examined, finding Shepis and Miele both offering tales of actual physical contact with co-stars during violent encounters.

• "The Tromatic Experience" (15:08, HD) is an interview with producers Franny Baldwin and Andrew Weiner (recorded separately), who supply their experiences on "Tromeo and Juliet," with Weiner eventually bringing Baldwin in to help organize the production. Baldwin walks through her responsibilities, making it clear what was expected of her on the set. Casting is highlighted, exploring personalities and stunt mishaps. Shooting in New York City is detailed, exposing the cast and crew to "poop bombs" thrown by members of the community, and memories of director Lloyd Kaufman are provided.

• Archival Interviews (SD) include actor Stephen Blackehart (13:18), actor Sean Gunn (8:47), actress Tiffany Shepis (9:34), actress Debbie Rochon (6:51), actress Wendy Adams (1:54), actress Lisbeth Kaufman (1:20), narrator Lemmy (6:20), actors Joe Lynch and Stephen Blackehart (8:39), composer Willie Wisely (6:31), associate producer Andrew Weiner (11:57), unit production manager Franny Baldwin (6:07), stunt nipple Sandee Brockwell (3:20), production assistant Dylan Forer (4:42), and production assistant Daniel Epstein.

• Intros (SD) include DVD (3:24) and Laserdisc (3:55).

• Deleted Scenes (14:03, SD) are provided.

• Deleted Scenes Commentary (4:54) features director Lloyd Kaufman and writer James Gunn.

• "Lloyd Interviews the Penis Monster" (4:16, SD) brings Lloyd Kaufman and "Harry Balls" together ("via satellite") to catch up with the "Tromeo and Juliet" monster, who answers questions and performs a song.

• Rehearsal Footage (2:39, SD) provides preparation time with actresses Jane Jensen and Debbie Rochon.

• Interview (7:21, SD) is a conversation with writer James Gunn and actor Stephen Blackehart.

• "Making-Of Commentary Recording" (6:56, SD) highlights supplementary work with director Lloyd Kaufman and writer James Gunn.

• "Tales from the Crapper" (4:04, SD) is an interview with director Lloyd Kaufman and writer James Gunn.

• "Eli Roth's Birthday Party" (8:07, SD) follows Lloyd Kaufman and James Gunn as they pay a visit to a celebration for the "Hostel" director.

• Video Diary (12:47, SD) highlights Lloyd Kaufman's time on the set of James Gunn's "Slither."

• Fan Reenactments (9:04, SD) collects home videos made by admirers of "Tromeo and Juliet."

• And an Original Video Trailer (2:19, SD) is included.

Tromeo & Juliet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

For a few viewers, Troma is the way, and "Tromeo and Juliet" is banking on a warm reception from the faithful, keeping grossouts periodic and softcore sex common, while humor is dire, sold with terrible slapstick and overall witlessness. "Tromeo and Juliet" has Motorhead's Lemmy as its narrator, which is surprisingly effective, but the rest of the movie is excess without editing, missing a grand opportunity to really have some screwball fun with the world of "Romeo and Juliet." Instead, it's the same old stuff from Troma Entertainment, with Kaufman simply repeating himself with this tiresome offering.