8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Runaway lovers Clarence and Alabama play a dangerous game when they come to possess a suitcase of mob contraband. They head for Los Angeles, where they'll sell the goods and begin a new life. But both sides of the law have other ideas.
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary OldmanCrime | 100% |
Dark humor | 82% |
Drama | 71% |
Thriller | 71% |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (A, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Quentin Tarantino's films tend to evoke widely disparate reactions, and in that regard, while Tarantino is "only" the screenwriter of True Romance, one need only contrast the opinions of, say, my colleague Ken Brown, who reviewed the old Warner Brothers Home Entertainment Blu-ray of the film (a Region A release) way back in 2009, with Tim Lucas, whom Arrow has added to this new release as a commentator (joining the previously released commentaries by director Tony Scott, Tarantino himself, and stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette, also included on this release). While it would probably be downright easy to find two people who disagree more virulently than Ken and Lucas do, Ken confesses he's been a diehard Tarantino fan since his teen years, but still found True Romance a bit of a slog and not at the level of some other Tarantino films actually helmed by Tarantino. Lucas on the other hand wastes little time in his commentary proclaiming True Romance one of the best films of the late 20th century, and one whose perceived deficits may actually be positives, at least at times. If you tend more toward Lucas' frame of mind, this release from Arrow should be a welcome addition to your library, as it boasts excellent technical merits and Arrow's usual supply of outstanding supplements.
Note: Screenshots 1 through 15 are from the Director's Cut. Screenshots 16 through 19 are from the Theatrical Cut.
True Romance is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. Arrow provided only a check
disc for purposes of this review, and so I'm not privy to any information provided (which is typically thorough) in an insert booklet, though Arrow's
website mentions 4K restorations of both the Director's Cut and the Theatrical Cut off the original negative. That may bring into question this
release's aspect ratio, which is just slightly
different from the earlier Warner Brothers Region A release, which was in 2.40:1, as well as the reported original aspect ratio (per the IMDb) of 2.39:1.
While this
may be a stumbling point for some, I frankly noticed no framing issues whatsoever until the screenshots I've uploaded to accompany this review were
measured and I noticed the difference.
In virtually all other ways, though, I can't imagine fans not being impressed with this presentation, especially given the fact that Ken was evidently
pretty
seriously underwhelmed with the image quality on the old Warner Brothers Home Entertainment Blu-ray release. This release is noticeably brighter
than the Warner Brothers
release, but it also boasts a much more organic looking grain field, with the result being a generally much more pleasing appearance. Detail levels are
typically excellent throughout. There are a few very minor downturns in image quality, including some of the scenes with James Gandolfini, but these
changes are incremental at worst. I noticed no significant differences between the presentations of the Director's Cut and the Theatrical Cut.
Ken also wasn't overly enthused about the Warner Brothers audio presentation on that now long ago Blu-ray release, even if relatively speaking the audio was evidently better than the video. I found nothing major to complain about with regard to this disc's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks. I spent most of my time on the surround track, but toggling between tracks I noticed no major differences in general amplitude and fidelity. The surround track very noticeably opens up the glut of source cues, while also providing good immersive opportunities for an onslaught of both ambient environmental effects as well as a number of other effects which include everything from rubber being laid on the streets of Los Angeles by a certain purple Cadillac to overwhelming eruptions of gunfire. Dialogue is delivered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
- Commentary by Tony Scott
- Commentary by Quentin Tarantino
- Commentary by Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette
- Commentary by Tim Lucas is new to this edition and features unabashed fan Lucas proclaiming the virtues of the film.
- Dennis Hopper (2002) (HD; 11:16)
- Val Kilmer (2002) (HD; 4:06)
- Brad Pit (2002) (HD; 5:47)
- Michael Rapaport (2002) (HD; 34:38)
- Bronson Pinchot (2021) (HD; 16:25)
- Saul Rubinek (2021) (HD; 6:56)
- You're So Cool (HD; 10:05) is an interview with costume designer Susan Becker.
- Relentless Romance (HD; 12:50) is an interview with co-editor Michael Tronick.
- Amid the Chaos of the Day (HD; 11:59) is an interview with composers Mark Mancina and John Van Tongeren.
- A Hunger for Mayhem (HD; 7:51) is an overview of Tony Scott's life and work featuring interviews with Scott biographer Larry Taylor.
- Cadillac Man (HD; 7:51) is a fun piece featuring Dan Storm, a superfan who ended up with the iconic purple Cadillac from the film, who started a whole festival celebrating the film which has attracted participants from all around the globe.
- US Featurette 1 (HD; 5:35)
- US Featurette 2 (HD; 5:38)
- International Featurette (HD; 7:46)
- Behind the Scenes (HD; 15:17)
- Interview with Tony Scott (HD; 4:17)
- Interview with Christian Slater (HD; 1:50)
- Interview with Patricia Arquette (HD; 1:58)
- Interview with Dennis Hopper (HD; 1:46)
- Interview with Gary Oldman (HD; 2:58)
- US Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:17)
- US TV Spots (HD; 1:04)
- International Trailer (HD; 2:27)
- Production Stills (HD)
- Poster & Video Art (HD)
I'm probably in some kind of middle ground between Ken Brown's entranced but still skeptical take on the film and Tim Lucas' more outright adulation, but for anyone who has come to love True Romance, maybe even because of any perceived flaws rather than in spite of them, this release from Arrow provides solid technical merits and a really appealing slate of supplements. Highly recommended.
Director's Cut
1993
Director's Cut
1993
Director's Cut | Limited Edition
1993
Unrated Director's Cut
1993
Limited Edition
1993
Limited Edition
1993
Deluxe Limited Edition
1993
1993
1993
30th Anniversary Collector's Edition
1994
1997
2012
20th Anniversary Edition
1994
Remastered
1990
2006
Special Edition | Theatrical Version & Director's Cut
1999
2009
2005
2011
2004
2007
1990
2008
2008-2013
2000
1990
2005
2006
1999-2007