Blu-ray Movie Reviews

When it comes to dystopian movies of the 1980s, John Carpenter’s Escape from New York clearly stands out as one of the hallmarks of the period and genre, creating a futuristic vision of a society that has deteriorated to the point where the prison system has become a world entirely of its own. In fact, crime in America has gotten so out of hand the entire island of Manhattan is converted into a maximum-security prison from which there is no parole, and where the inmates—a merciless yet colorful lot—are left to govern themselves. But after terrorists strike Air Force One, tough-as-nails convicted bank robber Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) cuts a deal to rescue the president, who has survived a crash-landing within the walls of New York City only to be held hostage on the eve of a critical global summit.

On this Collector’s Edition, Shout! Factory delivers the presentation of the film that it has always deserved but never received from other studios. Leagues apart from those mediocre masters past, this disc features a brand-new high-definition transfer struck from the original negative’s interpositive. The result is simply marvelous and shows what some love and care can do for a movie. Rich in color, it offers an incredible level of detail that is entirely devoid of noise or grain, while dishing out a strong color palette that makes repeat viewings a pure pleasure. Shadows are flawlessly rendered and never lose detail.

The remastered movie is accompanied by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that is surprisingly active and clean. Without distortion or sibilance, fans will also notice the expanded frequency response that allows the iconic score to come to life like never before, while also assuring ample sonic room for the explosive action. Dialogue is well balanced and always understandable.

Packed with supplements culled from previous releases as well as new bonus features, Shout! Factory’s treatment is a real treasure trove for fans. The new commentary track featuring actress Adrienne Barbeau and director of photography Dean Cundey is a bit problematic with defective volume levels, but that’s really the only weakness in a release that flat-out staggers. Fans of Carpenter’s work simply cannot miss out on this opportunity to relive Escape from New York in this Collector’s Edition. A more glorious treatment, this film has never received. Snake is pleased.

Blu-Ray
Studio: Shout! Factory, 1981
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio Format: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Length: 98 mins.
MPAA Rating: R
Director: John Carpenter
Starring: Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasance