With James Gunn’s long-awaited “Superman” now arriving in theaters everywhere, I am eager to find out if this iteration of the Man of Steel will have any opening credits. And if it does, what will the music to them sound like? The score for the 2025 film is credited to John Murphy and David Fleming, and they both have quite a legacy to live up to which makes the challenge given to them all the more daunting.
Look, it is still impossible to top Richard Donner’s “Superman: The Movie” which brought this symbol of hope to an iconic high, but it will be even harder to top that classic’s opening credits which remain some of the best ever created. Being hurtled to the edges of outer space as the titles stretched out towards the audience was ever so thrilling to me as a youngster, and it has been said that they cost more money to make than most movies back in the day.
And yes, all the visuals were elevated by the opening theme composed by John Williams, a man who has composed so many iconic musical cues and probably still has a couple more left in him. It remains one of my favorite movie themes of all time, let alone one of favorites of Williams’. All of this comes together to create an exhilarating opening to what has long become one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. While this opening could have been “Superman: The Movie’s” peak, something which can result in what I call premature cinematic ejaculation, it instead sets you up and makes clear you are about to watch one of the most entertaining motion pictures you could ever hope to see.
These titles were created by Richard Greenberg of R/Greenberg and Associates (R/GA), and they proved to be his breakthrough into show business. I have included a link for an interview with Greenberg from the Art of the Title website down below in which he describes this opening’s creation, and it can tell you much more than I can in this article.
And, of course, please feel free to watch the high-definition edition of the “Superman: The Movie” opening titles down below.
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.
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!
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
The idea of being a superhero is something which appeals to people all across the world. They want the chance to start out as an ordinary individual and transform themselves into something special and magical. 1978’s “Superman” is a perfect example of this, especially with its leading man, Christopher Reeve. It’s an iconic role and performance which continues to stand the test of time. It also achieved the rare feat of being both a financial and critical success. When that happens in Hollywood, everyone is pleased as punch. It’s the magic formula Hollywood is always trying to achieve as they want to do quality work which is meaningful to an audience while also making a lot of money.
There are so many things which make “Superman” great. Of course, as mentioned previously, you have the tremendous performance by the late, great Christopher Reeve. However, you also need a really, really effective villain, and it’s hard to find a better Hollywood villain than the legendary Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor. He oozes with charisma, personality, and you love to root against him. As far as the supporting cast, it is filled with some of the greatest working actors and actresses in Hollywood history, such as Marlon Brando, Margot Kidder, Glenn Ford, Jackie Cooper, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Jack O’Halloran, Maria Schell and Sarah Douglas.
It also doesn’t hurt when you have a director like Richard Donner behind the camera as well. He knows how to pace the film, allow his actors room to breathe, and he is also respectful of the source material. There was also the magnificent score by the iconic John Williams. When you have all of the right pieces in place like Donner did such as the script, the actors and the budget, you have to stay on track and basically not screw it up. He was just the right man for this big budget affair. During its release, it had the highest budget for a film at the time, coming in at $55 million. It’s funny to hear that number now, considering how much budgets have increased in Hollywood since then.
What speaks to me about the first “Superman” film is the idea of having a double life and people not knowing who you really are. During the day you are Clark Kent, a mild-mannered reporter, but you also have the ability to be Superman. It shows we all have something special inside of us. It is up to us to really find that, harness it, and use it for good. Superman is your all-American, clean cut, good guy. He’s very likable and effortlessly charming. On paper, this idea might sound ludicrous, but because the filmmakers took it seriously and had the right actors and participants involved, they really had lightning in a bottle. Even to this day, the film holds up incredibly well. When you see the special effects, they were really ahead of their time and they helped pave the way for a lot of the effects we see today, only they are now taken up a notch. Most importantly, this film has a big heart and a big soul attached to it. This is why the film is beloved by so many.
With this tremendous release from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment, we are also treated to “Superman II” in two different versions. We get the original theatrical cut by Richard Lester and the Richard Donner Cut on 4K. To this day, people still debate which version they like better and which is more worth watching. If you ask me, it’s best to watch both versions. I see things in Donner’s film I like more than in Lester’s and vice versa, but overall, I felt like Lester’s version was a much more polished, easy to follow, and complete film. Donner’s version is flawed with moments of greatness, and it deserves to be seen. Thanks to this set, you can watch both versions, which, as stated previously, I highly encourage you to do as I love a good film discussion. Film is subjective and there is really no right or wrong answer.
In “Superman II,” Mario Puzo is back once along with fellow screenwriters, David and Leslie Newman, again with a really good story, and this is a great thing for the audience. All three really know how to flesh out a story and create unique and interesting characters. It doesn’t hurt when you have actors like Beatty, Kidder and Hackman completely invested in the material. While not as good as the first one, and it’s rare for a sequel to be as good as its predecessor, it’s still a very, very good movie. There is some great humor here, and even in a superhero movie where the stakes are high and we are in a fictional world, some levity is very much appreciated! Sometimes it is nice to have a different vision and a new voice in a franchise while also staying true to what made the first film successful. Richard Lester was not put in an ideal situation, but he made it work, and you have to give him credit for that.
By “Superman III,” it seemed like the magic was starting to disappear, and they totally shifted the focus of the franchise into a campy, goofy and comedic realm which really rubbed audiences the wrong way. I understand they were going for something different, and they brought in Richard Pryor, but the script, the jokes and the material are just really, really bad. There is no denying that Pryor is a funny man with great comedic timing, but his abilities didn’t lend themselves to this film franchise. Overall, “Superman III” was doomed because of behind-the-scenes issues, script issues, and a film in search of the right tone. The filmmakers seemed to have lost the plot all together as well as their love for the character and the franchise. When a franchise has success, many times it is how the filmmakers handle that success which defines how it will carry on and continue. It is clear they didn’t know how to handle success here.
It didn’t get any better with “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.” It was so poorly made and received that they didn’t make another Superman film until 2006. As is often the case with sequels, they went cheap. Even though Hackman returns and Kidder receives more screen time, this film was dead on arrival. The plot is incoherent, messy, and just plain dumb. It was a cash-grab sequel, and when you are focused on money over quality work, you end up with “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.” It’s a very frustrating film and incredibly hard to follow. As you can see with the “Superman” franchise, you have the law of diminishing returns.
4K Info: The “Superman” 5-Film Collection 1978-1987 is in a terrific box set with all the films getting their own individual dual 4K case which also includes a Blu-ray version of the them. I was really happy they didn’t stack the discs in the set here, as that is always a pet peeve of mine. I was also very happy they gave each film its day in court with artwork and its own individual dual case. “Superman” was previously released on 4K, but this is the first time the other four films have been released in this format. You also a digital code for all of the films as well.
Video Info: If you already own the first “Superman” 4K, please know they have not added anything new to it here. It’s the same “Superman” 4K that had been released in its standalone edition. That being said, it’s hard not to be stunned and blown away by the beautiful Dolby Vision look of the original film. I had not previously owned the first “Superman” film, so I had no qualms about there not being anything new here. It’s just something to keep in mind for those who already own it on 4K. Overall, this is far and away the best these five films have ever looked on home video. They look sharp, clean and free of grain or mess. They have cleaned these films up very, very nicely. I was very impressed with these transfers. Warner Brothers has really been knocking it out of the park with their releases this year during their 100-year anniversary celebration, and this “Superman” box set is no exception.
Audio Info: We are treated to Dolby Atmos on all five films which is fantastic news! I am a huge fan of Dolby Atmos, and the sound is such a vital part of these films. The audio sounds crystal clear, concise, and it comes in at just the right pitch without being too loud or in-your-face. I’m always happy when I can leave it on one volume setting and still get the same impact throughout. That was the case with all five films. They also all come with subtitles in French, English and Spanish as well.
Special Features:
“Superman: The Movie” Special Features:
Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spangler
The Making of Superman – vintage featurette
Superman and the Mole-Men – vintage featurette
Super-Rabbit – 1943 WB cartoon
Snafuperman – 1944 WB cartoon
Stupor Duck – 1956 WB cartoon
TV Spot
Teaser Trailer
Theatrical Trailer
‘Superman II” Special Features:
Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
The Making of “Superman II” – 1980 TV Special
Superman’s Soufflé – Deleted Scene
First Flight
Fleischer Studios’ Superman vintage cartoons:
Superman
The Mechanical Monster
Billion Dollar Limited
The Arctic Giant
The Bulleteers
The Magnetic Telescope
Electric Earthquake
Volcano
Terror on the Midway
Theatrical Trailer
“Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut” Special Features:
Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz
Introduction by Richard Donner – featurette
Superman II: Restoring the Vision – featurette
Deleted Scenes
Lex and Ms. Teschmacher Head North
Lex and Ms. Teschmacher Head South
The Villains Enter the Fortress
He’s All Yours, Boys
Clarke and Jimmy
Lex’s Gateway
Famous Studios vintage cartoons:
Japoteurs
Showdown
Eleventh Hour
Destruction, Inc.
The Mummy Strikes
Jungle Drums
The Underground World
Secret Agent
“Superman III” Special Features:
Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
The Making of “Superman III” – 1983 TV Special
Deleted Scenes:
Save My Baby
To the Rescue
Making Up
Going to See the Boss
Hatching the Plan
The Con
Rooftop Ski
Boss Wants This to Go
Superman Honored
Gus’ Speech
Hanging Up on Brad
Theatrical Trailer
“Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” Special Features:
Commentary by Mark Rosenthal
Superman 50th Anniversary Special – 1988 TV Special
Deleted Scenes:
Clark’s Morning
Jeremy’s Letter
Superman’s Visit
Nuclear Man’s Prototype
Metropolis After Hours
Lex Ponders
Flying Sequence (Extended Scene)
Battle in Smallville
Battle in the U.S.S.R.
Nuclear Arms Race
Superman’s Sickness
Red Alert
By My Side
Lark and Lacy Say Goodbye
No Borders
Theatrical Trailer
Should You Buy It?
Last time I checked, this set is going for about $90, which is a great price for five films. Granted, you are really paying for “Superman,” “Superman II” and “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut,” so you need to own all of the Christopher Reeve “Superman” films if you are a completist like myself. I’ve heard a lot of people in the film community complain about some of the special features from other releases not being included on this set but they are included in the other Blu-ray releases. This did not bother me as there are still plenty of special features to shift through here. I’m happy they included the Blu-ray discs for all of the films and didn’t just include the 4K’s. The good films in this franchise leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. When films make me feel this way and put a smile on my face, I’m a happy camper. There is also something to enjoy about the total and complete absurdity of the bad films as well. If you have a sense of humor and come in with the right mindset, you can enjoy them on the level of they are aiming at. All the films come with Dolby Atmos tracks, which is a great perk. My one minor nitpick is the fact that not all these films include Dolby Vision except for the first one. However, in 2023, when physical media is hard to come by in stores but very much appreciated by us hardcore film historians and lovers, I don’t want to be too overly critical or negative over the little things. Warner Brothers and other studios are really going all out to preserve important pieces of cinematic history. We shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. This set comes highly recommended, and I enjoyed revisiting these films in 4K. It gave me a whole new appreciation for these films, Christopher Reeve’s performance, and the intense feelings of happiness and joy the first two (three if you are counting the Richard Donner cut) films brought to me. You can’t put a price tag on that. This set comes highly recommended!
* * * ½ out of * * * *
**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 following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
“The Lost Boys” falls into the category of a great horror film I have never seen before until now. With its release on 4K and Halloween a little over a month away, I couldn’t wait to take a bite into this movie (see what I did there?). Vampires, zombies and werewolves are familiar creatures used in horror films. The thing which separates the good films from the bad are two things: the characters and the story. Are we invested in the characters? Is there a compelling story? In the case of “The Lost Boys,” the answer is a resounding yes. I loved this film, and even though I’m late to the party in watching it, it’s better late than never.
Lucy (Dianne Wiest) and her two sons Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim) have relocated to Santa Carla, California following her divorce. They end up living with her eccentric, oddball father played brilliantly by Barnard Hughes, and he doesn’t want anyone to touch his root beer or his Oreos. He also spends a lot of time dabbling in taxidermy and often gives Sam some unwanted presents. Sam is also flanked by his loyal dog Nanook, an Alaskan Malamute. Sam is doing his best to adjust to this beach town by catching up on some comic books. He ends up getting to know the Frog Brothers, Edgar and Allan, played by Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander, who know a lot about vampires and comic books. Their performances are comedy gold in this film, and they are their own little “Strangers Things” group here.
Michael ends up falling for a young lady named Star, played by Jami Gertz. She hangs around a biker gang led by David (Kiefer Sutherland). Something is clearly unusual and odd about them, but Michael is hoping that if they accept him, he can get to know Star. Lucy ends up getting a job at the local video store which is owned by Max (Edward Herrmann). Max is a dorky putz, but he means well and seems genuinely interested in getting to know Lucy. This in spite of the fact that their dates usually always end up in disaster because Sam is convinced something is off with Michael. Sam wants to protect Michael because that’s his brother, but he’s not entirely happy with how he’s acting lately. Michael is sleeping all the time and coming home very late now that he has his new friends.
There is plenty to enjoy with “The Lost Boys,” but the key ingredient is the cast. The actors really sell this material with just the right amount of humor and terror. Director Joel Schumacher also knows how to get the most out of every single scene. This film is 97 minutes and frankly, it is the perfect running time for a film like this. We get to know the characters, their dilemma unfolds, and it ends with a bang, literally and figuratively speaking. I really enjoyed the fact the filmmakers went with an R rating. They build up to the violence, so it really means something when the bodies start to explode and heads begin flying off. The special effects and make-up are top notch. When you add in the fact this is a 4K release, everything is enhanced to an even greater degree.
The film also doesn’t lean in too heavily with the vampire gimmick. Yes, there are characters who are vampires and there are rules to follow, but at the end of the day, it’s a film about a mother and her two sons trying to survive. Dianne Wiest, a favorite actress of mine, is perfect as the concerned but confused mother. The late Corey Haim is also top-notch here. I know I’m singling out their work, but there is not a bad performance in this film. It also helps that the atmosphere goes back and forth between day and night. It’s an atmospheric and intense flick which hits all of the right notes you would want in a film like this. I went into it not knowing what to expect, and I ended up having a big smile on my face when the credits were rolling at the end.
“The Lost Boys” is an 80’s gem which deserves to be seen on 4K. It’s one of those rare examples of a film where everything falls into place: the cast, the acting, the director, the writing, the blood and guts and the twists and turns. The comedy is done at just the right moments without being too hokey or phony. The action and violence are really turned up a notch without being too much or overdone. This is the perfect Halloween movie to pick up in time to watch for the holiday. Trust me when I tell you this: You won’t regret it, and you will love it. If you have already seen it, you will love it even more with the 4K upgrade.
* * * * out of * * * *
4K/Blu-Ray: “The Lost Boys” is being released on a two-disc 4K and Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It also comes with a digital copy of the film as well. It is rated R and has a running time of 97 minutes.
Video Info: The 4K of this film comes with stunning High Dynamic Range (HDR), and it looks incredible. As I mentioned earlier in my review, the outdoor shots of California are absolutely stunning. When the film is darker and more brooding, it switches to that tone with its color palette. This is a terrific-looking 4K, and I enjoyed taking it all in for the first time.
Audio Info: I was hoping they would have a Dolby Atmos track as the audio is good but it’s a little inconsistent at times. It comes on a DTS-HD MA: English 5.1 audio track along with Dolby Digital audio tracks in French and Spanish. Subtitles are in English, French, and Spanish.
Special Features:
4K UHD Disc
· Commentary by Joel Schumacher
Blu-ray Disc
· Commentary by Joel Schumacher
· “The Lost Boys: A Retrospective”: 24:00
· “Inside the Vampire’s Cave: A Director’s Vision”: 6:58
· “Inside the Vampire’s Cave: Comedy vs. Horror”: 4:44
· “Inside the Vampire’s Cave: Fresh Blood-A New Look at Vampires”: 4:23
· “Inside the Vampire’s Cave: The Lost Boys Sequel?”: 2:25
· “Vamping Out: The Undead Creations of Greg Cannon”: 14:02
· “The Return of Sam and the Frog Brothers: Haimster & Feldog-The Story of the 2 Coreys”: 4:30
· “The Return of Sam and the Frog Brothers: Multi-Angle Video Commentary by Corey Haim, Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander”: 18:23
· The Lost Scenes: 15:16
· Lou Gramm “Lost in the Shadows” Music Video: 4:35
· Trailer: 1:26
Normally, I would complain about the fact they don’t have any new special features for the 4K here, but considering this was my first time watching the film, all of the special features were new to me. There is a commentary track with the director and plenty of lengthy special features discussing the film. Based on the quality of the movie, the 4K upgrade, and the special features, this one comes highly recommended as a day-one purchase. If you are a horror enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to watch this film at the highest quality available. As far as the film itself, there is so much to like about it. Even though the film is a vampire film, it doesn’t feel like a vampire film. I felt the vibes of It and Stranger Things mixed with a family drama. The acting is really, really good, and it’s a big reason why it’s such an effective film. The kills featured in the film are also really grisly and blood-soaked. I loved this movie! I’m really enjoying the fact that Warner Brothers Home Entertainment is going into their vault and releasing a lot of their older titles on 4K. This is a top-of-the-line upgrade with bright colors and a vivid picture. If you are like me and haven’t seen this movie, you owe it to yourself to add it to your collection.
**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 following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent Tony Farinella.
This was my first viewing, ever, of “The Goonies,” which might sound almost sacrilegious to film fans that love this flick and have watched it numerous times. To many, it is considered a classic film with quotable lines and loveable characters. I went into the film with high expectations, and I’m sad to report that I left extremely disappointed. The film is very dated, and it is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. However, if you are a fan of the film and have been looking to an upgrade for a while, the 4K release from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment will certainly satisfy you. For those, like myself, who are new to the film, I don’t know if it will win over any new fans.
The film was directed by veteran Richard Donner from a story by Steven Spielberg and a screenplay by Chris Columbus. When you factor in a young cast which includes Josh Brolin, Sean Astin and Corey Feldman, all of the ingredients were there for an enjoyable film with a cast full of wacky characters. This is one of the major problems with the film—the characters. They are loud, screechy and supremely annoying. It is hard to get behind this rag-tag group of misfits in the same way you would get behind the Losers Club in “It” or the friends in “Stranger Things.” The film doesn’t waste time in getting right into the action, which ensures the character development is left with a lot to be desired.
The premise of the film follows a group of friends known as The Goonies. They consist of Sean Astin as Mikey; his brother Brand, played by Josh Brolin; Jeff Cohen as Chunk; Corey Feldman as Mouth; Jonathan Ke Huy Quan as Data along with their female counterparts in Kerri Green as Andy and Martha Plimpton as Stef. Judging by some of their names, it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to piece together how they received their nicknames. They are about to lose their homes in the Goon Docks unless they can come up with some big money and fast.
This leads them on a treasure hunt to come up with a way to save their homes. Hot on their tails, however, is a crime family known as the Fratellis: Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey), Jake Fratelli (Robert Davi), and Francis Fratelli (Joe Pantoliano). They also have a deformed younger brother named Sloth (John Matuszak), whom is often neglected and mistreated by his family. They are also looking to get some of the treasures on the ship, which used to belong to “One-Eyed Willy,” the original Goonie.
While “The Goonies” is never boring, and Donner keeps the action moving at a rapid-fire pace, at almost two hours, it feels like sensory overload. As a viewer, I felt like I was on this never-ending mission that I didn’t really care about because I didn’t care for the characters. They are likable when they are not screaming, shrieking or being completely over-the-top. The film shines during the quieter and more tender moments. I was hoping the film would focus more on the friendships between the characters and the families. The families are basically non-existent and played for laughs as clueless parents, which was a major problem with many young children’s/teenage films in the 1980’s.
In the end, if you enjoyed “The Goonies” in the past and it is a film you are known to watch over and over again, you will surely watch it over and over again on 4K as it looks out of this world. If you are new to the film (in the minority like myself), I can’t really see you getting much out of this film as a first-time viewer. Even though it is a children’s movie, I wouldn’t recommend it for young children today based on some of the language and innuendo. While films and shows today owe a great deal of gratitude to “The Goonies,” it is very much a film of its era. I can’t say it holds up very well.
4K Info: “The Goonies” is released by Warner Brothers Home Entertainment on a 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which comes with the Blu-Ray and a digital code. The film has a running time of 114 minutes, and it comes in the following languages: English, Latin Spanish, Canadian French, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Video Info: The film comes on 2160 Ultra High Definition for the 4K Version. The Blu-Ray comes in 1080p High Definition.
Audio Info: The 4K Audio is DTS-HD MA: English 5.1 and Dolby Digital: French and Spanish. For the Blu-Ray, it comes with Dolby TrueHD: English 5.1, Dolby Digital: English 5.1, English 2.0, French and Spanish. Subtitles for both versions are in English, French, and Spanish.
Special Features:
Commentary (with Hidden Video Treasures) by Richard Donner and select cast members.
The Making of the Goonies Featurette
Cyndi Lauper “The Goonies ‘r’ Good Enough” Music Video
Outtakes
Theatrical Trailer
My goal with this review was not to be a contrarian, but I realize I’m probably one of the few people in the world who is not in love with “The Goonies.” As mentioned, it had everything, on paper, I was looking for in a film like this. All of the pieces just didn’t add up in the final product. It was tough to finish this one, as even though the action is wall-to-wall, I found myself checking out of the story because of a lack of interest in the people involved in the action. I’m glad to say I have seen it, so I can check it off my list of highly thought of films I need to see. However, I can’t recommend this one as a purchase unless you absolutely love the film. You will be thrilled with the transfer, the 4K look of the film, which is beautiful, and the astounding high dynamic range that comes with 4K releases. For everyone else, if you really want to see it, get it from your local library.
We are now at the 25th anniversary of the release of “Lethal Weapon 3” in theaters, something I have a hard time accepting as I still remember seeing it for the first time like it was yesterday.
With it being the third movie in a highly successful franchise, “Lethal Weapon 3” settles into a familiar formula which, as this sequel proves, still works. Director Richard Donner and stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover were interested in making this film more of a comedy, and we get the usual gunfights, explosions and car chases which are all expertly filmed. In addition, we also get another thrilling music score from the composers who worked on the previous “Lethal Weapon” movies: Michael Kamen, Eric Clapton, and David Sanborn.
I still remember the first time I saw “Lethal Weapon 3” and how gleefully entertained I was while watching it. I also loved the score for it as well even if it sounded recycled from the previous two films. After seeing this sequel twice in one week, I couldn’t wait to buy the soundtrack in the hopes it would have more of the music I expected to hear on the soundtracks to “Lethal Weapon” and “Lethal Weapon 2.” But yet again, the commercial release of the “Lethal Weapon 3” soundtrack left me disappointed despite some good tracks (“Armour Piercing Bullets” was the standout) included on it. Furthermore, it only had a portion of Kamen’s, Clapton’s and Sanborn’s music score on it.
But now we have a brand-new expanded and remastered soundtrack for “Lethal Weapon 3” which includes two compact discs containing all of the music cues I prayed would be on the 1992 commercial soundtrack release. It is being released as part of La La Land Records’ “Lethal Weapon Soundtrack Collection” box set, and it is gratifying to listen to this score in its entirety.
This film score starts off with a whimsical feel as Riggs and Murtaugh try to disarm a bomb and end up failing to do so quite explosively. Busted down from detectives to beat cops, they are at the scene of an armored car robbery and immediately jump into action. This leads to one of my favorite tracks on the first disc entitled “Armoured Car Chase.” Hearing the three composers come together to create such a thrilling piece of music made watching this sequence all the more exciting.
My other favorite tracks on this expanded soundtrack are “Gun Battle” which is the same piece of music as “Armour Piercing Bullets,” and it always succeeds in getting me super excited to where I can see myself in appearing in an action movie. Another is “Fire/Fire Battle/A Quiet Evening by the Fire” which gives the movie’s action climax an equally thrilling and highly emotionally effect which reminds you of how the “Lethal Weapon” movies are as big on character as they are on unforgettable action set pieces.
The second disc of “Lethal Weapon 3” features the commercial release of the soundtrack which includes the songs “It’s Probably Me” by Sting and Clapton, and “Runaway Train” performed by Clapton and Elton John. The rest are pieces of the score by Kamen, Clapton and Sanborn, and there are some additional tracks featuring alternate versions of music cues. I have to give credit to La La Land Records for including the original album on this special release instead of just trying to bury it under a rug or something.
Jeff Bond, whose booklet “Some Movies Don’t Invent Genres: They Just Perfect Them” accompanies the “Lethal Weapon Soundtrack Collection,” writes about how Donner decided to put more of an emphasis on comedy and family with this sequel. Still, there were some new additions like renegade ex-cop Jack Travis (Stuart Wilson) and Internal Affairs officer Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) to give “Lethal Weapon 3” the dark edge it needed. It also was revealed Lorna was originally written as a male character. For those who have seen the movie, I think we can all agree the change in gender was a very welcome one. Who else but Russo could have inhabited this role so memorably?
In regards to the score, Bond makes it clear Kamen, Clapton, and Sanborn did not phone this one in at all. Unlike the previous “Lethal Weapon” movies, this one starts out with a song performed by Sting. The song was “It’s Probably Me,” and Bond quotes Sting as saying his idea behind it was that Riggs and Murtaugh are such macho guys to where they wouldn’t express their love for one another right away.
Bond also points out Kamen did intentionally stick with the formula which made the scores to the previous movies work so well. But at the same time, this score shows how talented Kamen and company are in scoring the most humorous scenes as well. In “Lethal Weapon” and “Lethal Weapon 2,” Kamen succeeded at balancing action spectacles with character driven moments. But in “Lethal Weapon 3,” he also proves to be a master at adding to the endless laughs which were to be had in this sequel.
Once again, La La Land Records has given us another great special edition of a soundtrack long overdue for an expanded release. Here’s hoping they release more remastered and expanded soundtracks I have spent decades waiting for in the future. Can an expanded release of Harold Faltemeyer’s film score for “Fletch” be far behind?
The Ultimate Rabbit 