Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Used Cars Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 1, 2019

Robert Zemeckis' "Used Cars" (1980) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage promotional materials for the film; new video program featuring producer Bob Gale; vintage audio commentary by by Robert Zemeckis, Kurt Russell and Bob Gale; and more. The release also arrives with an illustrated collector's booklet featuring new essays by author Scott Harrison and film writer Phil Hoad. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The salesman

Hollywood is still making them but the recipe is completely different now. The silly, spicy and crude are not countered with equal or larger doses of humor, so the end product is usually a tasteless mess that is awfully difficult to endure. The right recipe that was around during the ‘80s gave us wonderful gems like Robert Zemeckis’ Used Cars. Sure, some of the hairstyles and suits look a bit off now but everything else in this film is delicious. This is what a great R-rated comedy looks like.

Making ends meet as a used car salesman has been a tough gig for Rudy Russo (Kurt Russell), which is why he has decided to run for State Senate. But to get in the race Rudy needs ten grand, and the only person in town that is willing to solve his financial problem is Luke Fuchs (Jack Warden), the aging owner of the lot where he is currently employed. So, the two meet and strike a deal: Rudy will get the money but as a politician he will protect Luke from his brother Roy (Warden again), who owns another lot across the street and has been scheming with the mayor to have the local Consumer Protection Agency shut down his business. Shortly after Rudy and Luke shake hands, however, the latter has a heart attack and dies. At first Rudy panics, but then recovers and with the help of Jeff (Gerrit Graham) and Jim (Frank McRae) buries his boss’ body behind the lot. When Roy and his associates from across the street notice that Luke is absent, Rudy begins telling everyone that knew his boss that he has quietly gone on vacation to Florida.

In the days that follow Rudy and Roy engage in a fierce battle for clients that creates some serious ripple effects across town. After a marketing masterpiece that incorporates the skills of a group of young striptease dancers Rudy takes the lead, but then Roy makes an equally surprising move that causes a serious dent in his story about Luke’s disappearance and threatens to collapse his business. While the battle rages, Luke’s estranged daughter Barbara (Deborah Harmon) appears and further complicates the rivalry.

The film has an amazing authentic energy that instantly makes it irresistibly attractive. On top of this, it is so obvious that the entire cast is having a ball with the various colorful characters that even the smaller scenes have some pure gold. For example, the short segment where the semi-naked dancers pop up on the TV screen and an entire family learns about Rudy’s latest hot deals is one of the highlights in the film. In the final third where the teenagers jump in the old cars there are also numerous wonderful surprises.

But the stars really are at the top of their game in this film. Warden effortlessly switches personalities and is just a pleasure to behold when he tries to outsmart his competitor. Russell remains funny from start to finish and is really the catalyst of the great energy that gives the film its identity. McRae and Graham shine at the right time as well. And when Harmon eventually enters the madness, there is a noticeable shift in the film’s temper.

Zemeckis and screenwriter Bob Gale have shared some very interesting stories about the production of the film and its distribution history. For example, the original script for the film initially landed at Universal, and it was only after it was rejected that Columbia became interested in it. However, after some very positive early screenings, Columbia mismanaged the film’s theatrical schedule and actually hurt its box-office potential. (The North American DVD release of Used Cars has a wonderful audio commentary with Zemeckis, Gale, and Russell that has a lot of other very interesting stories and is very much worth listening to in its entirety).

Used Cars Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Used Cars arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment.

The master that was used to source the release is older, and I assume it is the same master that previously Sony has licensed to other labels. I did some direct comparisons with this Swiss release from Explosive Media, which is the only one I have in my library at the moment, and here density and fluidity are slightly better. The most obvious improvements are noticeable during well-lit close-ups, but it is the encoding that helps rather than the quality of the master. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. However, during indoor and darker footage the limitations of the master become rather easy to spot -- shadow definition can be better; grain exposure can be better balanced, and obviously some minor nuances can be expanded. This being said, I still think that the visuals hold up quite well, even on a larger screen where minor limitations become more prominent. The color grading is convincing. The primaries and the supporting nuances look stable, healthy, and properly balanced. The same white specks from the previous release are retained. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Used Cars Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

My preference goes to the 2.0 track. However, this release also has the 5.1 track and this time I viewed the entire film with it. The dynamic field is expanded a bit and during the mass sequences at the end it is easy to identify some 'improvements' in terms of separation. The rest -- clarity, fluidity and stability -- rather predictably remains unchanged. i always recommend that people experiment with these tracks, but I like to view the film with the 2.0 track. There are no encoding errors to report.

Used Cars Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this vintage audio commentary by Robert Zemeckis, Kurt Russell and Bob Gale initially appeared on the North American DVD release of Used Cars that Sony Pictures produced. It contains an incredible amount of factual information about the production of the film, but it is also very entertaining. If a fan of the film, definitely listen to it in its entirety.

• "Would You Buy a Used Car From These Men?" - in this new video program, producer Bob Gale recalls how Used Cars was conceived and discusses its production history and critical reception. This program was also included on Shout Factory's recent release of the film in the United States. In English, not subtitled. (28 min).

• Kurt Russell 'Chrysler' TV Spot - a hilarious promo with Kurt Russell imitating his character. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Radio Interview with Kurt Russell - in this vintage audio interview, Kurt Russell promotes Used Cars and discusses the character he plays. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Stills Gallery - a collection of rare promotional and production materials for Used Cars.
  
  1. Action and Stunts
  2. Unused Ad Concept
  3. Behind the Scenes
  4. Posters and Lobby Cards

• Trailer - an original theatrical trailer for Used Cars. Remastered. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Radio TV Spots - seven vintage radio spots for Used Cars. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).
  
  1. Epic
  2. Hey You
  3. Phone Message
  4. Rebate
  5. Roy Rudy Barbara
  6. Rudy
  7. Yankee Stadium

• Outtakes and Gag Reel - collection of outtakes. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Isolated Film Score One - original film score by Patrick Williams. Presented as DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.

• Isolated Film Score Two - unused film score by Ernest Gold. Presented as DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.

• Booklet - an illustrated collector's booklet featuring new essays by author Scott Harrison and film writer Phil Hoad.

Used Cars Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Everything that needs to be said about Bob Zemeckis' Used Cars has already been said, so I am just going to add that it is one of the very best R-rated comedies that emerged from the '80s. For me it is as special as The Party, and each year I find time to revisit it a couple of times. Eureka Entertainment's upcoming release is sourced from Sony's master and includes one of the new bonus features with producer Bob Gale that Shout Factory recently produced for its release of the film in the U.S. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.