After Hours

Criterion Collection's release of "After Hours" on 4K UHD Blu-ray marks a significant milestone, not just for being their inaugural 4K venture in the UK, but also for its impeccable preservation effort that breathes new life into this Scorsese classic. Approved by editor Thelma Schoonmaker, the meticulous 4K digital restoration, derived from the original 35mm camera negative, ensures an authentic re-experience of the film's gritty, nocturnal ambiance. It's presented in a 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 image, using a wide color gamut (WCG), high dynamic range (HDR), and Dolby Vision, encoded via the HEVC (H.265) codec. This technical arsenal revitalizes the film's visual palette, from the nuanced shadows to the vivid portrayal of New York's seedy underbelly, all while maintaining a naturalistic color balance and an enhanced dynamic range, especially noted in darker scenes.

Viewing on state-of-the-art equipment underscores the restoration's success in preserving the filmic texture and detail. The granular quality is pronounced without overshadowing the intricacies of close-ups or backgrounds, engendering an exceptionally filmic look that aligns with Michael Ballhaus's original cinematography. The use of director Scorsese's personal 35mm print for color referencing further ensures fidelity to the envisioned aesthetic. Moreover, the 4K UHD disc's provision of HDR, viewed alongside its 1080p Blu-ray counterpart, showed superior depth and clarity, particularly in low-light conditions which dominate the film. This comparative edge highlights both versions' impressive image stability and fluidity, reiterating Criterion’s dedication to delivering a presentation that both honors and elevates the source material.

Notwithstanding the visual majesty brought forth by its 4K rendition, it's also crucial to applaud the natural color tones and shadow delineation achieved through this restoration. The restrained HDR grading accentuates without overtly altering the film’s deliberately muted palette, ensuring a presentation that remains true to its atmospheric roots. This fidelity extends to all aspects of the film's aesthetic, from the weather-worn streets to the character-defining close-ups, catering to purists and new audiences alike. Through such technical proficiency, Criterion doesn't merely offer a higher resolution but an invitation to re-explore "After Hours" with a fresh perspective on its cinematic and narrative depths.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "After Hours" remarkably retains its original English Linear PCM 1.0 format, showcasing an assuredly cleaned and well-stabilized monaural soundtrack. Upon careful review, particularly on a high-caliber setup such as the Samsung HW N950, the fidelity and meticulous restoration efforts are palpably evident. The dialogue, crucial to the narrative's progression, is delivered with exceptional clarity and precedence, expertly intertwined with Howard Shore's dynamic score—rich, resonant, and invigorating against Scorsese's visually vibrant tableau. Noteworthy is the handling of effects—albeit limited by the era's technology—they contribute to a warmly nostalgic yet pristine auditory experience.

A technical examination reveals the remarkable restoration work done on the LPCM 1.0 track, offering an audio experience that is not only clear but dynamically potent. Scenes such as those within Club Berlin showcase impactful intensity, with music and atmospheric elements producing significant dynamic contrasts without a hint of encoding anomalies. The optional English SDH subtitles complement the primary audio track well, ensuring accessibility without detracting from the overall auditory immersion. It's an outstanding effort to preserve and enhance the original audial essence of "After Hours," making it aurally pleasurable for both aficionados of Scorsese's work and newcomers to this cinematic gem.

The liner notes reveal an intricate remastering process from the original magnetic track, underscoring the dedication to authentic auditory restoration. The resultant soundtrack impresses with its strong and atmospheric delivery, capturing the entirety of Howard Shore's eclectic score and various pop, punk, and classic selections without distortion. A wide dynamic scale adeptly manages the diverse sonic spectrum, from high-intensity scenes to subtle ticking sounds that are crisp and distinct. Bass frequencies are robust, providing depth and impact where needed, while all dialogues remain comprehensible against a backdrop free from any surface noise. This vibrantly balanced mix serves not only as a testament to the technological prowess employed but also enhances the overall viewing experience, making it as engaging audibly as it is visually.

Criterion's deluxe 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "After Hours" is supplemented with an ambitiously comprehensive extras package, matching the dedication of both its UK and US releases. It offers a deep dive into the film’s conception, production, and enduring legacy with contributions from key collaborators. Notably, the archival commentary from 2004, enhanced by recently recorded insights from Griffin Dunne and Amy Robinson, offers an in-depth exploration of the movie's creation. The disc also includes engaging discussions between Martin Scorsese and Fran Lebowitz, a documentary examining the making of "After Hours," and a new program that delves into the film's unique visual style. Additionally, deleted scenes and the original trailer provide further context and content for enthusiasts. This extra presentation is meticulously curated to enhance the viewer's appreciation and understanding of Scorsese's work, solidifying the film's status as a significant piece in cinema history.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Informative session featuring Martin Scorsese and collaborators, updated with new comments from Dunne and Robinson.
• Martin Scorsese and Fran Lebowitz: A fresh perspective on the film's development and thematic essence.
• Filming For Your Life: Making After Hours: Archival documentary spotlighting the film's production aspects.
• The Look of After Hours: A comprehensive examination of the film's visual appeal and cinematography.
• Deleted Scenes: A collection of scenes offering additional context and humor.
• Trailer: The original promotional piece for "After Hours".
• Leaflet: Includes an essay by critic Sheila O'Malley, alongside technical credits for a deeper analysis.

Martin Scorsese's "After Hours," released in 1985, emerges on 4K UHD Blu-ray, bringing the overlooked and arguably underappreciated gem into the high-definition era. Set against a backdrop of a single frenetic night in New York, the film encapsulates the essence of a dark comedy through the misadventures of Paul Hackett (played by Griffin Dunne), whose quest for a promising encounter turns into a surreal nightmare. Unlike Scorsese's more renowned works like "Taxi Driver" and "Mean Streets," "After Hours" is imbued with a unique blend of screwball farce and noir, maintaining the director's signature kinetic energy while exploring the absurdity and chaos of urban life.

The movie's restoration on 4K UHD accentuates Scorsese's meticulous craftsmanship, from the gritty streets of SoHo to the bizarre yet mesmerizing encounters that Paul faces. Every cinematic flourish - the dynamic edits, the shadowed alleys, and the neon-lit diners - is rendered with clarity, emphasizing the nocturnal odyssey's texture. The film, supported by an ensemble cast including Rosanna Arquette, Linda Fiorentino, and cameos by Cheech and Chong, navigates through its misadventures with a blend of tension and humor, showcasing Scorsese’s ability to elicit performances that tread a fine line between whimsy and desperation. The Criterion release further enriches this experience with supplemental features that delve into the movie’s creation and context, offering insights into Scorsese's mindset during its production - a period marked by professional setbacks and a return to his indie filmmaking roots.

"After Hours" stands as a testament to Scorsese’s versatility and his capacity to craft compelling narratives beyond the confines of mainstream cinema. This 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation not only revitalizes the film's visual and auditory aspects but also reaffirms its status as a fascinating study of urban alienation and existential absurdity. With this release, both new audiences and longtime fans are invited to revisit an oft-neglected piece of Scorsese’s filmography, experiencing its whirlwind of chaos with renewed clarity and appreciation. Despite its departure from the thematic gravity of his most celebrated works, "After Hours" echoes the director’s enduring fascination with the city's labyrinthine landscape and its nocturnal denizens, making it an essential, albeit eccentric, entry in his oeuvre.

Martin Scorsese's After Hours, regarded by some as a relatively minor entry in the filmmaker’s illustrious career, nevertheless offers a compelling viewing experience enriched by its transition to the 4K UHD Blu-ray format. This UK release, facilitated by a collaboration between the Criterion Collection and Spirit Entertainment, marks an important milestone as Criterion's inaugural 4K offering in the region. Released on October 9, 2023, the package boasts an exceptional video quality upheld by Dolby Vision, robust audio performance, and a comprehensive set of supplementary features – ensuring that even a so-called 'lesser' Scorsese work is delivered with the utmost respect and technical finesse it deserves.

The film presents a surreal exploration of a protagonist's nightmarish descent into the bizarre nocturnal landscape of Lower Manhattan, offering a blend of black comedy and suspense that has aged interestingly over the decades. The new 4K restoration, derived from the original camera negative, significantly enhances the visual and auditory fidelity of this 1985 cult classic, breathing new life into its distinctive cinematic texture and atmospheric sound design. The extra features included provide an enriching context that celebrates not only the film itself but also its unique place within Scorsese's body of work and 1980s New York City's cultural tapestry.

In conclusion, the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of After Hours represents a significant achievement in the home video market, adequately honoring Scorsese’s often overlooked gem with a stellar presentation that leverages the latest in home entertainment technology. Criterion and Spirit Entertainment have outdone themselves, offering both die-hard cinephiles and casual viewers alike an impeccable version of the film that highlights its enduring charm and complex, engaging narrative. Highly recommended for those looking to delve into an eccentric piece of New York City’s cinematic history, now presented in unmatched quality.