1980’s Movies

‘Lethal Weapon’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

Hollywood has long been a fan of buddy cop movies, as people love to see big action, memorable villains and witty repartee between the polar opposite main characters.  “Lethal Weapon” is a film I’ve heard about ever since I started watching movies, especially the famous line, “I’m too old for this shit,” delivered perfectly by Danny Glover. Now, thanks to the 4K release of this film from Warner Brothers, I’ve finally had a chance to sit down and watch it in its entirety.  It is certainly one of the better buddy cop movies to have ever been released in Hollywood, thanks to the tremendous on-screen chemistry shared between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.  They make it look effortless. I’m happy to report I’m not too old to sit down and watch “Lethal Weapon” for the first time. 

The film opens with a naked young woman snorting a line of cocaine and jumping off her balcony to her impending death.  This occurs on the day of Roger Murtaugh’s (Danny Glover) 50th birthday, as we see him trying to navigate through his happy yet chaotic homelife. He’s been assigned a new partner, Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), an unhinged and wildly unpredictable cop who has unconventional methods, but you can’t argue with his success. It’s been 11 years since the death of his wife, and he struggles every day with thoughts of suicide. Indeed, it’s easy to see why Murtaugh feels like he is too old for this shit, as the two of them are as opposite as fire and ice.

Murtaugh and Riggs must put their heads together and find out the real reason why this young woman, Amanda Hunsaker (Jackie Swanson) committed suicide. Murtaugh gets a call from an old war buddy Michael (Tom Atkins), Amanda’s father, and Michael reminds Murtaugh that he saved his life when they were in battle. There are definitely some nefarious individuals behind this, and Riggs sees the complexity of these cases and isn’t afraid to dig deeper or get his hands dirty. Murtaugh, on the other hand, looks for the simplest and easiest solution to these cases. He has too much at stake because he’s married and has children at home. Riggs, on the other hand, has nothing to lose and doesn’t care if he dies, so he will do what needs to be done, consequences be damned.

“Lethal Weapon” was directed by the legendary Richard Donner (“Superman,” “The Goonies,” and “The Omen”), and was written by Shane Black (“The Nice Guys” and “The Monster Squad”). They collaborated with Gibson and Glover to create a memorable piece of cinema.  I do think the first hour of the film is absolutely perfect as it moves quickly, introduces the main characters and the villains, including a memorable performance by Gary Busey, and it’s a lot of fun.  It’s clear they are comfortable taking their time in allowing these characters to grow on screen, as we get to know them, inside and out. Because of this, the stakes matter that much more when the shit hits the fan.  The comedy is also effortless and never forced.

I did feel like the second half hit a bit of a lull when the good guys met up with the bad guys.  Of course, it was the 1980’s, so there needed to be big action (in addition to big hair and big outfits) and special effects, but they could have done probably half of what they did and it would have been even more effective.  There is also a wild karate battle between Busey and Gibson, which made me laugh but for all the wrong reasons. It seemed odd to go in that direction at the very end. The film starts out by letting the audience know it’s going to be a different type of action comedy, and I enjoyed the balance of seriousness and comedy. I was hoping the film would have kept that tone a little bit more in the second half, but it turns into a bit of a silly action movie. Still, “Lethal Weapon” has a good script, a top-notch cast, and skilled direction. It’s a good movie, but I don’t think it’s a great movie because of the issues I’ve mentioned.

It should be noted that I watched the director’s cut of “Lethal Weapon,” so I’m not sure how much of a difference there is between it and the theatrical cut, as this was my first time watching the film. The director’s cut is 117 minutes, and the theatrical cut is 110 minutes. I’d be curious to hear from those who have seen both cuts as to how much of a difference there is between them. I think the film should have been around 100 minutes, and it would have been just about perfect. I can’t speak for the sequels, but I can see why audiences wanted to see more of these two, as they had some of the best onscreen chemistry I’ve seen in a buddy cop comedy. Glover is smart, tough, and vulnerable while Gibson is crazed and determined, but there’s also a method to his madness. I loved these two characters.

* * * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Lethal Weapon” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment in either a 4K slipcover or a 4K steelbook. As mentioned in my review, the 4K comes with both the theatrical cut and the director’s cut. The film is rated R for strong violence, strong language, brief drug use, and some nudity. There is also a digital copy included.

4K Video/Audio Info: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound, and wow, this is quite a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The film is LOUD, and I do mean LOUD. At times, I found it to be a little too loud, which must mean I’m too old, but in all seriousness, if you enjoy your action flicks loud and in-your-face, you won’t be disappointed with the audio here. I did enjoy the 1980’s saxophone that was present throughout the movie. It’s a jaunty soundtrack that stayed in my head. As far as the video here, the HDR is splendid on this release, and it makes the film look sharp, vivid, and lively without losing its 80’s aesthetic. Hey, I was born in the 80’s, and I appreciate that decade very much, especially the music that was released then!

Special Features:

·   A Legacy of Inspiration: Remembering Richard Donner

· “I’m Too Old for This…”

Should You Buy It?

Yes! Personally speaking, I’m a big fan of a crisp 4K slipcover, and the slipcover release of Lethal Weapon is a thing of beauty. I really enjoyed the home theater experience of watching this movie, as it left me drained in the best possible way. The film presents a multitude of elements to the viewer, and while not all of them resonated with me, they were more effective than not. The film is memorable and stands out because of the performances of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. In some ways, they look at one another and they see what they are missing in themselves. Murtaugh sees Riggs as someone who is not afraid to think outside the box, take risks, and find his man. Riggs sees Murtaugh as having the family life he wishes he could have had if his wife hadn’t died. The film is, at times, heartfelt, without trying too hard or being sugary sweet. Gary Busey is a kick-ass bad guy because he’s as cold as ice and doesn’t flinch. I wish the film was about 10-15 minutes shorter, depending on the release you watch, but it’s still a good flick. Warner Brothers also includes two new special features on this release, and they are one of the only studios that is releasing classic Hollywood films with new special features. I think physical media collectors will be VERY happy with the 4K release of “Lethal Weapon.”

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

All-Time Favorite Trailers: ‘Pale Rider’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

With Tony Farinella’s ever so enthusiastic review of Clint Eastwood’s 1985 western “Pale Rider,” I was quickly reminded of the various trailers made for it back in the day. Each trailer and television commercial made for it was dominated by the music of “Best Endeavours” which was composed by Alan Hawkshaw. That piece of music alone was enough to get me super excited about this particular motion picture.

But one particular trailer for “Pale Rider” which excited and stayed me throughout the years was its teaser. I first watched the teaser when it was included in the VHS release of “City Heat,” a movie which teamed up Eastwood with Burt Reynolds and eventually became one of my most inescapable guilty pleasures.

What makes this trailer for “Pale Rider” stand out for me is how it is composed simply of still images. Like the Italian movie trailer for Dario Argento’s “Suspiria,” it is the images which, in their stillness or frozen moments, spoke volumes. While Warner Brothers might have preferred more in the way of moving images, the still ones had much more of an impact on me.

Plus, it has a narrator telling us how Eastwood had previously directed the last great western back in 1976 with “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” This made the trailer’s promise of “Pale Rider” being the next great American western all the more thrilling. Whether or not you think “Pale Rider” proved to be such the thing, I admired the case the narrator sold us on.

As much as I wanted to see “Pale Rider” when it arrived in theaters, I was only ten years at the time, and it was rated R. The best I could do was watch Siskel & Ebert review it as I got to see movie clips there, and I did get to read the movie’s novelization which was written by Alan Dean Foster. For some odd reason, my parents never kept me from doing that.

I didn’t get to see “Pale Rider” until many years later, but that is a story for another time. And from now on, Alan Hawkshaw’s “Best Endeavours” will always forever be the “Pale Rider” theme to me. To others, it may forever be the theme for the British program Channel 4 News, but Channel 4 never secured permanent exclusivity rights for it at the time, so there!

Please check out the “Pale Rider” teaser trailer down below.

‘Pale Rider’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

Clint Eastwood is synonymous with the Hollywood western in American cinema. For my money, the westerns of Eastwood are far superior than those of John Wayne. There is a subtlety and nuance to his films and his performances. While not all of them are Hollywood classics, they are a great example of old-school craftsmanship, especially when he’s behind the camera.  He is behind the camera for “Pale Rider,” which is celebrating its 40th anniversary with this 4K release.  It is a film I have not seen before, but after watching it for the first time, I fell in love with it immediately.

Our film is set in LaHood, California in Carbon Canyon, which is being run by an malevolent banker and a crooked marshal. The banker is named Coy LaHood, played by Richard Dysart. Since he doesn’t have the legal rights to kick the miners out of their homes, he uses violence and intimidation in an attempt to gain complete control of the land. This doesn’t sit right with Hull Barret, played by Michael Moriarty, as he’s trying to take care of his fiancée Sarah (Carrie Snodgress) and her daughter Megan (Sydney Penny). However, he’s finding little to no support in his battle against LaHood.

Megan’s prayers for peace are answered by a man known as the Preacher, played by Eastwood. He’s a mysterious and shadowy figure who shows up to save Hull after he’s attacked by four of LaHood’s men. Megan was having a hard time seeing the silver lining in much of anything after her father left, her grandfather passed away, and her dog was killed.  LaHood has brought nothing but mayhem and destruction to Carbon Canyon.  The Preacher, however, is not only giving Megan hope, but he’s also giving hope and faith to everyone in Carbon Canyon. They are not going to be kicked out of their homes, and they will not be bought off.

Westerns are often hit or miss with me as a film critic. When they are done with interesting characters, beautiful cinematography and focus on the quiet introspective moments, they connect with me and I’m completely absorbed.  One of my favorite Westerns of all time is “Unforgiven,” which was also directed by Eastwood. It deals with the aftermath of the violence and the effect it has on those who have inflicted it on others. “Pale Rider” is about the people of Carbon Canyon and how they are trying to exist, survive, and live while under the thumb of LaHood.   Eastwood, in many ways, is a supporting character in his own film.  I imagine this was by design. When he does appear on screen, everything he does is thoughtful and understated. He has a terrific scene with Sydney Penny where he describes why they can’t be together romantically. It’s delicate and, in the hands of any other filmmaker, it would have been awkward and out of place.

It all leads to the big shootout between the Preacher and LaHood’s men along with Stockburn, the Marshal, played by John Russell.  The shootout scene is impactful because Eastwood is a patient director and he takes his time in building up to the grand finale.  At the end of the day, movies are simple—introduce us to characters we are invested in, set the stage, let the actors do their work, and get out of the way. Eastwood is one of the best in the business at doing that as a director, which is one of many reasons why he’s a Hollywood legend.

I’d also like to mention the work of Chris Penn in the film as LaHood’s son, Josh. Even though Sean Penn is more well-known and established as an actor, his brother Chris was a terrific character actor who really knew how to play a slimy and underhanded villain. I’ve always been a big fan of his work.  Michael Moriarty plays a good man who is trying to do the right thing while simultaneously trying to maintain his manhood at the same time.  In many ways, even though Eastwood receives top billing, he’s the lead in the film when it comes to screen time. Carrie Snodgress and Sydney Penny bring vulnerability, strength, and warmth to their performances. This is a terrific cast.

From start to finish, I was utterly engrossed in “Pale Rider,” and I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. There is a sense of mystery surrounding the Preacher character, and it is what keeps the story moving in a unique and captivating way.  I like to be kept on my toes. Overall, this is the kind of movie I love as a moviegoer.  The acting, from top-to-bottom, is phenomenal, the scenery is gorgeous, and the story is simple yet powerful. This is another in a long line of classic films from the great Clint Eastwood. The great thing about his filmography is there are still films of his I haven’t seen. He’s the gift that keeps on giving.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “Pale Rider” is being released on a single disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The release comes with a beautiful slipcover and a digital copy as well.  There is a steelbook version of the film available for purchase if you are interested in steelbooks over slipcovers. I prefer slipcovers myself. The film has a running time of 116 minutes and is rated R.

4K Video Info: “Pale Rider” comes with a jaw-dropping 4K HDR transfer. The film looks magnificent. Westerns, in particular, are always a welcome addition to 4K.  The landscapes are enthralling to look at and the colors are lively and vivid.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is out of this world as it is peaceful during the quieter moments in the film but it comes to life during the action sequences. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.

Special Features:

The Diary of Sydney Penny: Lessons from the Set – NEW

Painting the Preacher: Bruce Surtees and Pale Rider – NEW

Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy – Reinventing Westerns

Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story

The Eastwood Factor

Should You Buy It?

HELL YES! “Pale Rider” is a great film.  It was almost a perfect film, and I was very close to giving it four stars. In the end, I decided to give it three and a half stars, but when it comes to owning the 4K, it’s a no brainer.  There are also new special features on this disc! So many physical media collectors often complain about the lack of new special features, but there are two new special features on this 4K disc. In total, there are over three hours of special features here! Clint Eastwood and Warner Brothers have a special relationship, and this is one of their finest films.  The audio and visual aspects of the 4K are magnificent.  This is one of my favorite 4K releases of 2025 so far, and I can’t wait to watch “Dirty Harry” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales” on 4K from Warner Brothers. They hit a home run with this release, and you owe it to yourself to add this film to your collection. This one comes highly recommended.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Amadeus’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

There is a lot to like about physical media, especially when it is in the 4K format. There are the special features, the audio and video quality and, of course, the fact that you own the movie.  This means you never have to worry about a streaming platform taking it down and then having to hope your local library has a copy you can check out. It’s on your shelf, and you can pick it up and pop it in your player whenever you want to watch it.  Another positive is the fact that films like “Amadeus,” a Best Picture winner, can be discovered for the first time by a new set of eyes. In fact, this was my first time watching the film.

The reason “Amadeus” was not a film I had previously seen is because I thought it would be a boring, stuffy period piece. After sitting down to watch it, I am reminded of the old expression, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Even though I do not consider “Amadeus” a classic and did not fall in love with it after one viewing, it was an important film worth seeing and also worthy of my time.  I think the minute we start to become close-minded to art, we really lose our sense of self. This film deserves its day in court just like any other important and historical motion picture ever released.

This film begins by introducing us to Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), a composer who has been put into a mental institute after an attempted suicide. A Catholic priest named Father Vogler (Richard Frank) is looking to get to the bottom of things, especially after Salieri says he is responsible for the death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. While it has been over three decades since Mozart passed away, Father Vogler thinks it is a tremendous burden to carry. He sees how it is weighing on Salieri, which is what led to his suicide attempt.

From this point, the film is told from Salieri’s point-of-view as he shares how he was both envious and enamored with the work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). He did not, however, think much of Mozart the person whom he found to be boorish, aloof and uncouth.  Still, he cannot deny the genius the man possessed and how he would make magic happen with his music. It was something Salieri himself was never able to achieve in his own career, and he sees it as a sin that God would give all this skill and talent to someone like Mozart. As a result, this creates a complicated relationship between the two men.

The film is fascinating in the way it explores genius and what makes someone possess the ability to do something which truly makes a positive impact on the world. There are often two lines of thinking when it comes to someone who has had enormous success or is a once-in-a-lifetime talent: it has either come naturally to them, or they have had to work very hard to hone their talent. Now, of course, there is also luck involved. It is also how you handle success if you continue to work hard at what you do, and that you don’t become complacent with your past success.

Throughout the film, no matter what is thrown Mozart’s way, he finds a way to make it work for him. This is even when Salieri is deliberately trying to sabotage him, especially when he hires Lori (Cynthia Nixon) to lend a helping hand to Mozart, as he has a wife and a child. The reason he hired Lori is to get inside information on Mozart and to stay one step ahead of him.  The thing that separates Salieri from Mozart is the fact that no matter how annoying or obscene Mozart is, he has a gift. It is a gift that will always rise to the top and make him memorable and one-of-a-kind. It is that envy and jealousy which drives Salieri mad.

Milos Forman was the director behind “Amadeus,” and it was a big project for him to take on. From the set pieces to the musical numbers to the sheer magnitude of the story, it is a big Hollywood production, and he’s up to the challenge of making this movie look and feel big.  It is the kind of big-screen Hollywood movie that used to run the movie industry back in the day. I miss big movies like this as they play very well on the big screen. They also pop on 4K as well. As to how historically accurate the film is, I cannot begin to tell you as, I must confess, I have not studied the history of Mozart.

The performance of F. Murray Abraham as Antonio Salieri is nothing short of brilliant. His face shows the torment of a man who has had to live in the shadow of Mozart his whole life, and it has clearly done a number on him. His performance reflects this, and he also knows when to rein it in and play the character in a more low-key and understated way.   He was utterly captivating here from start to finish. In many ways, even though the film is called “Amadeus,” and it is about Mozart, it feels like Salieri’s story.  It is easy to see why Abraham won Best Actor at the Academy Awards.

Tom Hulce must perform a balancing act of portraying Mozart as someone the audience can relate to while also being over-the-top and goofy. He does a solid job here, but I was much more interested in Abraham’s performance.

“Amadeus” is a film which was a little too long for my liking, as I would have trimmed about 20 to 30 minutes from the running time of 160 minutes, but it is still a well-acted, entertaining, and monumental Hollywood film. I admired and respected it, but I did not love it or connect with it on a deeper level. It is a film I am happy to have watched, but I found the third act to be its most compelling and intriguing. The scenes I liked the most dealt with the characters of Mozart and Salieri as human beings. When the film was a character study of the two men, it captivated me. I would have liked more of the human element of the story and less of the long-drawn-out musical scenes.

* * * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Amadeus” is released on a single disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment, and it comes with a digital copy as well. The film has a running time of 160 minutes and is rated PG. Keep in mind; this is the theatrical cut of the film. I have read there is a director’s cut of the film, which is rated R and includes twenty minutes of extra footage. I think it would have been nice to include it here, but I am not sure what transpired to where this was not able to happen.

4K Video Info: I truly enjoyed this 4K transfer, as it showed the film as I imagine it was meant to be seen. The film is over forty years old, and it looks very cinematic with a very thematic look to it. This is not a perfect HDR transfer, but it’s not supposed to look flawless. It looks like how the film was intended to look, considering its release date.

4K Audio Info: I would have liked a Dolby Atmos track here, as this seemed like the perfect film to receive this treatment. As it stands, the audio is very sharp, clear, and the dialogue is easy to understand. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.

Special Features:

The Making of Amadeus (New)

Amadeus: The Making of a Masterpiece

Should You Buy It?

I will let you in on a little secret—I do not read or watch reviews before I am going to review a film myself. I do not want to be influenced by what anyone has to say, good, bad, or indifferent. Now, I am aware certain films have overwhelmingly positive, mixed or negative reviews, but I do not read the content of them. I do think a lot of people like me have put off watching “Amadeus” for the same reasons I mentioned earlier in my review. I can see why the film might not be easily accessible to a newer audience today. Still, I think modern audiences will be pleasantly surprised, just like I was when I sat down to watch “Amadeus.”  It is a period piece, yes, but it’s done in a way where you get to understand the characters, what makes them tick, and why they do the things they do throughout the course of the movie. My two issues were the run time and the fact that I wanted to spend more time with the two main characters together. Overall, it is a good film, but I do not think it is a great one. As far as the 4K is concerned, it looks terrific even though the audio would have benefited from a Dolby Atmos track. There is also a new special feature here.  If you are fine with the theatrical cut, which I imagine many fans of the film will be, this is a day one purchase, especially with the Oscars this weekend. If you are a first-time viewer, I think you might want to rent it digitally first before committing to buying it.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘The Terminator’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

“The Terminator,” directed by James Cameron, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Because of this, Warner Brothers released the film on 4K for the very first time.  This has been one of the most anticipated 4K releases in years.  James Cameron released a number of his movies this year on 4K, including “Aliens,” “True Lies” and “The Abyss.”  Many YouTubers and physical media collectors have expressed mixed opinions on the transfers of these releases, and it has caused a lot of debate in the physical media community. Cameron himself has come out and expressed his frustration with their criticism and even suggested they move out of their parent’s basements.

As far as the film itself, “The Terminator” opens up by introducing the audience to a cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who has been sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to eliminate Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). To the untrained eye, he looks like a regular human being with his flesh, his ability to talk, and his ability to enter a room without really drawing a lot of attention to himself. Standing in the Terminator’s way is a soldier by the name of Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn).  He’s also from the future, and he has one job and one job only, which is to protect Sarah.  The Terminator’s job is to stop at nothing to eliminate Sarah because her unborn son, John Connor, is going to be the one to attempt to stop the machines from taking over after a war in the future begins.

The battle between humans and machines is one we are still battling in today’s world, especially with the introduction of artificial intelligence.  Will machines become so powerful that humans will be rendered useless and unnecessary? Cameron was way ahead of himself with 1984’s “The Terminator.”  This is a movie with big ideas and big characters.  Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator is fantastic with his movements, his screen presence, and his aura.  Whenever he is on screen, you are completely captivated by him as an audience member to where you can’t keep your eyes off him.  Linda Hamilton is terrific at walking that tightrope to where she’s seen as tough but also a little vulnerable.  Michael Biehn also turns in a stellar performance as Kyle Reese.  It’s a hard role to pull off, as Kyle needs to talk about the future in a way that will not only convince Sarah he’s telling the truth but also win over the audience.

I might be in the minority on this one, but my one issue with “The Terminator” is the love story between Sarah and Kyle.  It is why I can’t give the film a perfect rating, even though I absolutely love it.  The love story feels unnecessary when all of this is going on in Sarah’s world.  In a film where I was able to suspend my disbelief for almost its entire running time, the romance came completely out of left field for me.  Besides that, there is a lot to like about this film.  It has a ton of great supporting work from actors such as Lance Henriksen, Paul Winfield, Dick Miller, and Earl Boen. Los Angeles is a character in this film, especially late at night. In many ways, “The Terminator” felt like Michael Mann directed a sci-fi thriller.  It’s a moody and dark film with an underbelly of seediness and gloom and doom.

I also felt as though “The Terminator” had a sense of humor about itself without being too jokey.  When the Terminator himself encounters some street punks while he’s naked, it allows Cameron to have a little fun with his premise.  He is wise to not make the film too silly or goofy, however, as then it would be a completely different film altogether.  The comedic moments come more from the way people react to the Terminator and how he reacts to them.  Because he is so laser focused on killing Sarah Connor, he doesn’t have time for pleasantries.  He is a man on a mission and will eliminate anyone and anything in his way.  This film is able to feel like a big budget Hollywood blockbuster and a gritty, down and dirty independent film at the same time.  It was made for $6.4 million, but it looks top-notch and has a sense of danger to it as well.  “The Terminator” is an almost perfect film.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “The Terminator” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.  It comes with a digital copy of the film as well. The film has a running time of 107 minutes and is rated R for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence throughout, some sexuality/nudity, and strong language. You can get this film either with a 4K slipcover or a 4K steelbook.

4K Video Info:  Warner Brothers released this film on Dolby Vision HDR. It is a clean-looking transfer that doesn’t take any chances and doesn’t really need to when you consider its original source material. I thought the majority of the film looked impressive and it had a very cinematic feel to it. I don’t think there are too many things you can find wrong with this 4K video transfer.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is really good here.  This is a film filled with a lot of action, explosions and big moments.  Those scenes sound impressive and make for a good at-home theater experience. It wasn’t too loud or boisterous, but it made its presence known. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.

Special Features:

Deleted Scenes with Optional James Cameron Commentary

Creating the Terminator: Visual Effects & Music

The Terminator: Closer to the Real Thing

Unstoppable Force: The Legacy of the Terminator

Should You Buy It?

This is one of the greatest sci-fi/action films of all time, despite my issues with the love story between Sarah and Kyle.  It comes with a stand-out 4K transfer which includes Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.  This is the best “The Terminator” has looked, and it looks much better than the failed “Terminator 2” 4K release from Lionsgate a few years back.  It seems like they have found a happy medium when it comes to James Cameron and his 4K transfers.  They know how to make the most out of the 4K format without changing it too much to where you don’t recognize the film you love. Much like the prior Blu-ray release, the special features are lacking, which is a disappointment. Overall, though, if you love movies, you have to have “The Terminator” on 4K in your collection.  It is a must-own, whether you get the 4K slipcover or the 4K steelbook.   It’s a revolutionary film that holds up incredibly well on repeat viewings.  This one comes highly recommended.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

All-Time Favorite Trailers: ‘Lethal Weapon’ (1987)

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

To be honest, my first introduction to Richard Donner’s “Lethal Weapon” came when I saw a television trailer for it during the world television premiere of “The Karate Kid.” I was immediately hooked, thanks in large part to the unforgettable and adrenaline-pumping music composed by John Eric Alexander. I keep waiting for him to release physical copies and/or downloads of his theme, let alone the music he did for the trailers for “Die Hard” and “Die Hard 2” among others, but the best I can hope for is the track which ended up on the “Hot Fuzz” soundtrack. The only thing, however, is that it features dialogue from the Edgar Wright directed film which is fine, but I would love to listen to it without the dialogue as well.

And now let’s get to “Lethal Weapon’s” original theatrical trailer, which also sold me on this film which has long since become a bonafide action classic. While the font used for its title reeks of a retro 1980’s style, I love how it illustrates the strong chemistry between the two stars, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. There was also something about the way its key action scenes were presented which made it seem unique among others of its kind. While the 80’s was a decade full of larger-than-life action heroes who would look at a bullet wound as if it were a minor inconvenience, Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh were not quick to do the same as they were more down to earth.

Other than that, this trailer made me believe this would be an action flick like few others released back in the 1980’s. It took me a few more years to realize this as I was only 12 years old when “Lethal Weapon” was released, and I had to wait until it was released on VHS to finally check it out. Of course, once I tried to rent it from Take One Video in Danville, California, I was reminded of how my parents issued a no R-rated movie mandate for me. But when an employee of this long since defunct video store offered to call my parents to see if it would be okay to rent “Lethal Weapon,” they agreed to let me take it home, but they also refused to claim any responsibility for the crazy shit I might do after watching it. To this I can only say the following: if only I was that interesting.

Not sure what else I can say about this “Lethal Weapon” trailer other than I never get sick of watching it, and I have yet to grow tired of watching the film it was designed for. You can never grow too old for this shit!

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

It’s hard to believe “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. When legends of the horror genre are discussed, Freddy Krueger is one of the most talked about names that comes up in conversation.  It all started with the original, which was directed by horror icon Wes Craven. It was a film that was wise to not overuse its main antagonist in Freddy Krueger, played by Robert Englund. In fact, the reason why some of the sequels were not as well-received was because they overused Freddy and turned him into a stand-up comedian with silly one-liners.  In the first film, he’s chilling, scary, and intense.  The film is also aided by a strong supporting cast including Johnny Depp, Heather Langenkamp, and John Saxon.

One of the strongest aspects of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is the fact it focuses on dreams and how Freddy Krueger attacks his victims in their sleep.  When we sleep, we let our guard down and assume we will be protected and safe. Even if we have a nightmare, we are confident we will wake up and return to our normal lives.  Freddy is looking to attack young teenagers when they are at their most vulnerable. It’s an ingenious idea and one of the biggest reasons why this is such a successful film.  The main characters also have to deal with the stress and anxiety that comes from trying to stay awake and fight for their lives in their dreams.

The film opens up with Tina (Amanda Wyss) having a nightmare about a man who is trying to kill her in her sleep.  The man has knives for fingers, a dirty old hat, and wears a filthy red and green sweater.  Because of these recurring nightmares, she has two of her friends and her boyfriend sleep over to make sure nothing will happen to her. Her friends are Glen Lantz and Nancy Thompson, played by Johnny Depp and Heather Langenkamp. Tina’s boyfriend is named Rod Lane, and he’s played by Nick Corri. When Tina ends up murdered in her sleep with blood all over the place, the police are quick to point the finger at Rod.  However, he claims there was another person in the bed with them, which seems not only highly unlikely but also highly unusual. After Rod ends up in prison, Nancy decides it is time to protect herself.

Heather Langenkamp, as the take-no-prisoners final girl Nancy, is absolutely brilliant here.  She’s smarter than her parents, and she’s also one step ahead of Freddy Krueger.  Her father, played by John Saxon, is a police officer who is just trying to protect her. Her mother, played by Ronee Blakley, is having a tough time dealing with this situation and spends way too much time drinking and avoiding reality. Glen Lantz is wily, intuitive and quick on his feet, even if he doesn’t always believe Nancy. Because he loves her, he’s willing to help out and do whatever he can to make her feel safe and secure.

Wes Craven was usually one step ahead of his peers in the horror genre, and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” was no exception.  He not only created an original horror villain, he also gave him an interesting backstory as well.  He also respects teenagers enough to give them a voice in this movie. They are not stupid or vapid.  They are resilient, tough, and they are trying to protect themselves, even if the results don’t always work out in their favor. 

Even with the parents, some are divorced and have their own complex issues they are dealing with. This is why they have difficulty seeing what’s right in front of them.  He gives his characters, good and evil, layers to them.  It makes the plot and the film mean that much more when we spend time with them, get to know them, and understand their motivation.  When it comes to the bloody scenes, he also knows how to leave your jaw on the floor as a viewer, as he builds up the tension until it explodes on screen, sometimes literally!

There is so much to like about “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” from the top-notch acting, the chilling score, the intense gore, and of course, Freddy Krueger himself.  This is my favorite Freddy here as he’s terrifying without being over-the-top.  My main issue with the film is the ending. I understand it, but I don’t like it.  They build up to this big payoff and it ends with sort of a wink at the camera, which seems like it comes from another movie. For a serious and intense horror film, it ends in a rather silly fashion.  Still, I love “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and consider it a great horror film. If only it had a better ending.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.  It has a running time of 91 minutes for both the theatrical cut and the uncut version. I’m not exactly sure what the difference is between the two cuts, as I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.  It might have a little more blood in it, perhaps. It is rated R for strong bloody horror violence and gore, language, drug use, and some sexuality/nudity.  There is a digital copy of the film included as well. You can either buy the 4K slipcover version of this movie or a 4K steelbook as well.

4K Video Info:  This is a FANTASTIC looking 4K release from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.  The picture is so clear and vivid. It looks fantastic and it’s one of the best 4K releases of 2024. When they decided to release this movie on 4K, they really made sure to clean it up and give it the full 4K experience.  As someone who has owned this film on DVD, Blu-ray and now 4K, I can confidently say this is, far and away, the best this movie has ever looked on home video. The HDR is eye-popping.

4K Audio Info:  The Dolby Atmos soundtrack was also an excellent choice.  It really makes for a great at-home theater experience for viewers, as they get to become emotionally invested in the film and really get lost in it.  There are also subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.

Special Features:

Ready Freddy Focus Points

Commentary with Wes Craven, Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Ronnie Blakely, Robert Shaye, and Sara Risher.

Commentary with Wes Craven, Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, and Jacques Haitkin.

Alternate endings

The House that Freddy Built: The Legacy of New Line Horror

Never Sleep Again: A Nightmare on Elm Street

Night Terrors: The Origins of Wes Craven’s Nightmares

Should You Buy It?

HELL YES. This 4K of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” was released smack dab in the middle of spooky season. If you consider yourself a true horror fan who loves to own horror films on physical media, this is a day one purchase without question. It looks and sounds terrific on 4K.  I’ll also add this: If enough copies of this film are purchased by consumers, there is a good chance we will see more “Nightmare” films in 4K.  This is the original classic, and it comes with a terrific slipcover and an A+ audio and video transfer. Even though the special features are from the previously released Blu-ray, they are still worthwhile and interesting.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from this release when I put it in my 4K player, but I was over-the-moon while watching it.  It’s not a true Halloween viewing experience if you don’t watch “A Nightmare on Elm Street” during the month of October.  Fans have been waiting patiently for it to be released on 4K, and they have been rewarded. This release comes HIGHLY recommended.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Rocky: The Ultimate Knockout Edition’ 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

A little over a year ago, Warner Brothers Home Entertainment released a set which included the first four “Rocky” films along with the director’s cut of “Rocky IV.”  Many fans were dissatisfied with this release and pointed out audio and video issues along with the fact that “Rocky V” and “Rocky Balboa” were not included in the set.  Now, Warner Brothers has released a new edition of the “Rocky” films on 4K in a set entitled “Rocky: The Ultimate Knockout Edition,” and it includes replacement discs for the issues with the first four films and also includes “Rocky V,” “Rocky Balboa” and “Rocky Balboa: The Director’s Cut.” There is also a Blu-ray disc which includes special features for the first four films. I went back and looked at my review from March 2023 for “Rocky: The Knockout Collection,” and I didn’t feel as though the issues were as egregiously bad as other reviewers made them out to be.

With all six of the Rocky films now out on 4K, people are going to be wondering if this set is worth its hefty price tag.  Before I get into all of that, let’s briefly discuss the films.  The original “Rocky,” released in 1976, won Best Picture and put Sylvester Stallone on the map.  It is the ultimate underdog sports movie and a film which is quoted and remembered to this very day.  Even after Stallone is long gone, fans and historians will always remember him as Rocky Balboa.  Of course, he also played John Rambo, but people really connect with Rocky and can even see themselves in the character. It was the right film with the right actor at the right time.

There is much debate and handwringing over the sequels. I love all of the “Rocky” films, warts and all, as they play a part in the story of Rocky Balboa and his ups and downs as a character.  We see him start from nothing, rise, fall, and rise again.  I think you have to appreciate the good, bad and the ugly all of the films as they all serve a specific purpose for this franchise.  Of course, my favorite film will always be the first “Rocky.” After that, I’d probably go with “Rocky II,” “Rocky Balboa,” “Rocky IV,” “Rocky III,” and “Rocky V.”  If you ask me this question in a few months, my answer might change again.

The original “Rocky,” the one which started it all, is about a low-level boxer who is looking for a chance to prove he’s not another bum from the neighborhood.  He mostly takes outlaw fights which make little to no money. One day, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is looking for an opponent in order to sell his next fight.  When he stumbles upon Rocky Balboa, an underdog fighter from Philadelphia, he figures he can use this David vs. Goliath story to sell some tickets and get an easy victory. He ends up getting more than he bargained for from Rocky Balboa, who is feeling the support of his newfound love interest, Adrian (Talia Shire) and her brother Paulie (Burt Young). All he wants is a chance to prove his self-worth.

In “Rocky II,” he needs to prepare for his rematch against Apollo Creed.  Can he defeat Apollo Creed this time, or will Creed destroy him and show that their last fight was simply a fluke? Even though Creed won the first fight by decision, Rocky showed he can last in the ring with the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

In “Rocky III,” Rocky needs to learn how to handle the biggest obstacle of all: success. How will he deal with money and fame?  He also encounters Clubber Lang, played by Mr. T and Thunderlips, played by Hulk Hogan.

In “Rocky IV,” Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), a menacing Russian, awaits him. I mentioned in my initial review of the first set how I preferred “Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago” over the original cut of “Rocky IV.”

In “Rocky V,” he has to get a handle on being a dad and life outside of the ring.

In “Rocky Balboa,” he’s past his prime, old and beaten down, but he’s looking to find an outlet to deal with his pain.

I imagine most people reading this review are familiar with each and every film in the “Rocky” series, so I don’t imagine these are major spoilers. They simply serve as a refresher in case you haven’t seen the films in a while.  You are reading this review to see if this box set is worth the money, as mentioned previously.  The answer is both yes and no.  The 4K transfers are cinematic and an upgrade over the Blu-rays.  The “Rocky” films have never looked or sounded better in any other format.  The audio issues are also cleaned up on all of the films, even though I didn’t really notice them with the last “Rocky” set.  This is all of the “Rocky” films, as the “Creed” films are their own separate entity, even though they are in the “Rocky” universe.

This set is going for about $90 to $110 depending on where you purchase it from, as Gruv.com has it for the cheapest I’ve seen. The discs themselves are great. Warner Brothers fails massively with the packaging of this set.  It comes in a flimsy cardboard slipcover with discs that can be looked through in a flipper case.  These movies are important to me, and they are also important to a lot of film fans out there.  They went cheap with the packaging, as the cardboard slipcover is not a thick and sturdy box that can protect the films or the case.  The discs are also stuck in a flipper case which shows a lot of off-gassing, which is this greasy substance that is really difficult to remove from the back of the disc holders.

Overall, I enjoyed watching the films on 4K, and I’m happy Warner Brothers decided to release this “Ultimate Knockout Edition” of all of the “Rocky films.  At its price point, however, I would expect a lot more on the packaging side of things.  The packaging and the case are truly a mess, and it makes it hard to fully enjoy this set.  As a collector, we buy movies for the movies and also the packaging. We are not simply buying the discs of these films.  I wish they would have shown a little tender loving care to this set.  They should have released these in individual cases in a sturdy box set which holds them all together.

Ratings:

“Rocky”: * * * * out of * * * *

“Rocky II”: * * * ½ out of * * * *

“Rocky III”: * * ½ out of * * * *

“Rocky IV”: * * * out of * * * *

“Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago – The Ultimate Director’s Cut”: * * * ½ out of * * * *

“Rocky V”: * * out of * * * *

“Rocky Balboa”: * * * ½ out of * * * *

“Rocky Balboa: Director’s Cut”: * * * out of * * * *

Video Info:  All of the films are released on Dolby Vision, which leads to some very impressive looking visuals. The best-looking films in this set, in order, are “Rocky V,” “Rocky II,” “Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago,” “Rocky IV,” “Rocky,” “Rocky III,” “Rocky Balboa” and “Rocky Balboa: The Director’s Cut.”  It was a bit of a surprise to me that “Rocky Balboa” was the weakest link out of all these films from a visual standpoint. It was the film I was most excited to see upgraded to 4K, but it looks rather bland and vanilla. This is probably because they put both versions of this film on one 4K, which is asking a lot out of one disc, although it didn’t affect both versions of “Rocky IV” for some reason.  It’s surprising to see that the worst film in the “Rocky” franchise, “Rocky V,” is the best-looking one out of the bunch.

Audio Info:  All of the audio issues are fixed here from the previous release, but once again, I didn’t notice a big difference the last time they released these films on 4K. I know that Warner Brothers made sure to correct the issues from the last release based on what I’ve read online.  You don’t have to worry about a disc replacement program with any of the audio tracks here. None of the films come with Dolby Atmos, which is a bit of a bummer, as the Rocky films seem perfect for Dolby Atmos.  The audio is still really good, but this would have given it that extra boost.

Special Features:

“Rocky”

• Audio Commentary with director John Avildsen and producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burt Young, and Garrett Brown

• Audio Commentary with Lou Duva and Bert Sugar

• Audio Commentary with Sylvester Stallone

“Rocky Balboa”

• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Sylvester Stallone

• Deleted Scenes

• Skill vs. Will: The Making of Rocky Balboa

• Reality in the Ring: Filming Rocky’s Final Fight

• Virtual Champion: Creating the Computer Fighter

• Fight Makeup

“Rocky” Bonus Disc

• 8MM Home Movies of Rocky

• 3 Rounds with Lou Duva

• Steadicam: Then and Now with Garrett Brown

• Make-Up! The Art and Form with Michael Westmore

• Staccato: A Composer’s Notebook with Bill Conti

• The Ring of Truth

• A Tribute to Burgess Meredith

• Stallone Meets Rocky

• The Making of “Rocky vs. Drago”: Keep Punching

• Trailers

Should You Buy It?

I don’t think Warner Brothers is going to release ANOTHER “Rocky” set, so I would say buy it, but I would wait until it goes on sale.  As of right now, the price is way too high considering the packaging on this set and the lack of original special features. My feeling is this—if you are going to release a set like this, which is near and dear to so many people’s hearts, why not release it the right way and take your time? I would have loaded it up with as many special features as possible and spent a little more money on better packaging and a better case.  The films, for the most part, look good and the audio is solid.  I’m not trying to sound picky here or look a gift horse in the mouth, but this set should cost $60 and not $90 to $110, considering how they threw it all together in this packaging.  You will enjoy the films, which is the most important part, but a little quality control would have gone a long way.  This “Rocky” set on 4K does come recommended, but I recommend you wait for it to go on sale and not rush out and buy it right away.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Purple Rain’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

When it comes to Prince’s music, I’m a fan, but I wouldn’t say I listen to his albums religiously.  I respect his contributions to the music industry, and I can certainly appreciate and admire the amount of effort and passion that goes into his performances.  He gives it his all when he’s on stage. Because of this, I was curious to see “Purple Rain” for the first time, especially since it was getting a 40th anniversary 4K release.  I love movies about music, so I thought it would be a film that resonated with me as a movie and music fan. I went into “Purple Rain” with high hopes, and I thought it would be a film that would make a powerful impression on me as a first-time viewer.  Even though I’ve seen a lot of movies, there are always a number of them which have slipped through the cracks throughout the years.

Prince stars as The Kid, a front man for a band called The Revolution, and he has a lot of talent, energy and love which shines through in every performance. However, he’s not exactly happy with his life. When he comes home, he sees his father constantly abusing his mother, so his one outlet for his anger and frustration is music.  When he’s on that stage, he bares his soul to the audience. His performances take place at the First Avenue Night Club. The other two acts that perform there are The Time, led by Morris Day, and also Dez Dickerson and his band The Modernaires. It’s a competition every night to see which band can leave the biggest impression on the audience.

In addition to his problems at home, two members of his band, Wendy and Lisa, played by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, are not happy with The Kid, as they feel as though their contributions to The Revolution are not being taken seriously.  It is all about The Kid and his vision. There is also a new female musician who has come into First Avenue from New Orleans named Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero) who catches the eye of The Kid.  He is falling hard and fast for her, but he wonders if he can maintain a relationship with her because of his troubled life at home. Will the sins of the father soon become his own sins as well? Apollonia is also getting offers to start an all-girl band from Morris.

“Purple Rain,” sad to say, was a big dud for me. The songs and the music are great in.  From “Purple Rain” to “When Doves Cry” to “Let’s Go Crazy”, the film has some fantastic musical numbers in it, and they really come to life on screen.  When the movie isn’t on stage, however, it suffers in a big way.  The characters are written with very little thought behind them.  The Kid wants to play music and be successful.  His father is a wifebeater. His mother just seems to be there to get beaten up by the father. Apollonia is just there to be an object of desire.  All of this feels very self-serving for Prince. Yes, it is his movie, but there is little to no story here and the plot is paper thin.

For a movie that is almost two-hours long, the music can only sustain the viewer for so long, especially if we don’t care about the people that are on stage performing the music.  When there is a dramatic moment near the end of the film with The Kid’s father, why should we care?  Yes, his performance of “Purple Rain” is powerful and the song is fantastic, but everything leading up to that moment has shown him to be a no-good woman abusing jerk who is selfish.  Purple Rain really needed to get into the nuts and bolts of this character’s mindset in order for us to fully invest ourselves in his story arc. As an actor, Prince is rather lifeless and bland on screen as well.  He’s not a good actor. If they wanted to just make this a Prince concert film, it might have worked. As a narrative film, there is a lot to be desired here.

With “Purple Rain,” I kept waiting for the musical scenes to return as the scenes outside of First Avenue were incredibly run-of-the-mill.  This film needed more balance.  They needed to make The Kid’s life outside of First Avenue a lot more complex and well-written. This way, when he performs on stage, the impact is felt in a more powerful way by the viewer.  I’m not being a contrarian here, but I really don’t understand why this film is so popular.  If I want to listen to Prince’s music, I can listen to it whenever I want to on my iPhone.  I watched “Purple Rain” for an interesting story that would be enhanced by the music.  The story didn’t need to be great or out of this world.  It just needed to have a little more meat on the bones.  All of the attention went to the musical numbers, and the acting scenes are simply there to fill up the movie.  “Purple Rain” left me feeling very underwhelmed.

* ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “Purple Rain” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment in honor of its 40th anniversary.  The film has a running time of 111 minutes and is rated R for sexuality, some nudity, language, and some violent content.  It comes with a digital copy of the film as well.

Video Info:  For a 40-year-old film, I thought “Purple Rain” looked good but not great on 4K.  It would have definitely been enhanced by a Dolby Vision transfer.  I was hoping they would have gone that way with this release.  As it is, it’s still a solid 4K transfer.  I haven’t seen the film on Blu-ray, but I didn’t notice anything wrong with this transfer.  I also didn’t notice anything that really stood out either.

Audio Info:  For a movie that relies heavily on music, it is of the utmost importance to have good sound on this 4K release.  I’m glad to report they were up to the task with the audio here.  It’s crystal clear and all of the music has a punch to it without being too loud or aggressive. Subtitles are included in English and Spanish.

Special Features:

Commentary by director Albert Magnoli, producer Robert Cavallo and cinematographer Donald E. Thorin

First Avenue: The Road to Pop Royalty – featurette

Let’s Go Crazy – music video

Take Me with U – music video

When Doves Cry – Music Video

I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star – music video

Purple Rain – music video

Jungle Love – music video

The Bird – music video

Sex Shooter – music video

Should You Buy It?

If you are a diehard Prince fan and you love his music and this movie, this is a no-brainer here.  You will be very happy with “Purple Rain” on 4K.  They also imported the special features from the prior Blu-ray release onto this one as well. The music sounds great with this 4K release, and it is a solid visual offering from Warner Brothers as well. If you are watching this for the first-time and are only a casual fan of Prince, I don’t think there is much of a movie here.  I tolerated the first 90 minutes, and it was tough to sit through as it plods along with no character development whatsoever.  The characters are one-note and thinly-written. “Purple Rain” was really tedious and laborious to sit through, and I expected more from a movie that was so critically acclaimed and well-received.  This one is for diehard Prince fans only. If you are one of them, you will love this flick. For everyone else, you can pass on checking this out, as there’s nothing groundbreaking or out of this world here.

 **Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘The Color Purple’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

This was my first time having the pleasure of sitting down to watch “The Color Purple,” directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg. This is a director who has never been afraid to tackle any type of film project.  When watching this film, his trademark heart is clearly on display.  What makes it stand out and be as memorable as it is, though, is the terrific acting, especially from Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey.  “The Color Purple” is based on the novel by Alice Walker, which I have not read, so my film review will be solely based on the film itself. I have no frame of reference to compare it to, and I think that is more than OK. Too often, people get caught up in comparing films to books, and in the end, they are two totally different mediums.  You will never be able to cover everything from the book because you are limited by the running time of the film.

The film takes place from 1909 to 1943 in Georgia where we are introduced to Celie Harris (Whoopi Goldberg), a young teenager who already has two children, a boy and a girl, because she was raped by her father. Her father took the children from her and has essentially sold them off for profit.  Celie wonders where her children are and worries about them constantly, as any mother would when they are abruptly taken.  She was also married off, thanks to her father, to Albert Johnson (Danny Glover), an abusive man who makes her do anything and everything for him.  He beats her, forces her to have sex with him, and controls every aspect of her life. In his eyes, this woman serves one purpose and one purpose only, which is to take care of him. She even has to call him “Mister.”

During this time, she was separated from her sister, Nettie, played by Akosua Busia. When Albert came looking for a wife, he was initially interested in Nettie, but their father would not part with her and insisted on Celie going with Albert.  Celie is often told she is too skinny and ugly.  She sees inspiration in the strong-willed Sofia, played by Oprah Winfrey.  Sofia is not one to take guff from anyone in her life, but you wonder how long this will last before she is beaten down by the rampant racism she experiences.  We get to know another woman named Shug Avery, played by Margaret Avery, a flamboyant performer who has Albert Johnson’s full attention. Even though Shug comes with some baggage, she seems to know how to hold her own and capture the attention of men while remaining independent and tough. Celie is hoping to receive some letters from her sister Nettie, but she starts to wonder why they never show up and if her sister is even alive after they were separated.

“The Color Purple” covers a great deal of time and because of the amount of time it covers, four decades, it makes sense that the film is 153 minutes. This was one of those films where I rarely noticed the running time because it was a prime example of good old-fashioned Hollywood craftsmanship. When film critics and fans say things like, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” in my eyes, they are talking about films like this one, which was released in 1985.  It’s a drama made by adults for adults.  This is a serious subject matter, but it’s handled with Spielberg’s trademark warmth, tenderness and care. Because we spend so much time with Celie on her journey, we can’t help but root for her to overcome her circumstances.  We get to know her and the women close to her as they have made an impact on her life.

The film is incredibly patient in allowing things to slowly build up to its climax without ever feeling like it’s taking too long to get there. Goldberg is tremendous here.  She expresses a plethora of emotions on her face without ever overacting or doing too much. You can look in her eyes and see the pain and heartache of her character.  It’s a terrific performance, and I think people forget what a great actress she is when given the chance to show off her range of emotions. Of course, she won an Oscar for “Ghost” in 1991.  However, this is clearly the film she should have won an Oscar for, with all due respect to Geraldine Page.

“The Color Purple” does sometimes go off the beaten path with its narrative plot and, at times, it can spend too much time with one character in a specific time and place instead of sticking with Goldberg and her character’s story.  I was very, very close to giving this film four stars, especially because of the emotional weight which was incredibly powerful.  It earns the tears of the audience here by allowing things to build up and develop.  Winfrey is also really, really good here and earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in this film along with Avery.

One of the biggest criticisms of this film is that it was directed by a white director in Steven Spielberg. This is a film populated with a cast which is 95% Black.  I can see why audiences would take issue with that, but Spielberg is wise to stay out of the way of the material and the actors.  Even though some of his familiar touches are here, as mentioned earlier, it doesn’t feel like a typical Spielberg film.  He is sensitive to the story, and he does a terrific job of allowing the performances of his cast and the story itself to take center stage.  He’s more in the background here and, for once, it isn’t a bad thing.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “The Color Purple” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.  It also comes with a digital copy of the film.  The film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 153 minutes.

4K Video/Audio Info:  This is another top-notch transfer from the folks over at Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The HDR here really shines in some of the outdoor scenes which are lively and colorful.  It has a cinematic feel to it while also cleaning up the picture as well.  The audio track is also really solid, as this is a dialogue heavy film, and it’s easy to understand everything that is being said with a clean and crisp audio track here. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.

Special Features:

Conversations with the Ancestors: The Color Purple from Book to Screen

A Collaboration of Spirits: Casting and Acting The Color Purple

Cultivating a Classic: The Making of The Color Purple

The Color Purple: The Musical

Teaser #1

Teaser #2

Trailer

Should You Buy It?

If you read my 4K reviews (and thank you if you do), you know what a big proponent I am of film history and preservation. In the year 2023, Warner Brothers has done their job in going through their extensive catalogue of films and bringing them to 4K and making them look bigger and better than ever.  There are a ton of important films in the Warner Brothers library that have received their day in court this year. In order for them to continue doing their job, we need to support their restorations of classic cinema, especially when they are done in such a magnificent manner, leaving no stone unturned. “The Color Purple” pops off the TV here and looks better than it ever has, thanks to this 4K transfer.  It sounds great as well. The film itself is an important piece of cinematic history that shows off great acting and tells a vital story with a great cast of actors and one of the best directors of all-time. At its current price point, which is around $23, this is a day one purchase on its December 5th release date.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.