The Girl from Rio

Blue Underground's release of "The Girl from Rio" is a remarkable upgrade over its previous editions, now available in a 4K UHD Blu-ray combo pack that is region-free. This new edition has garnered attention for introducing a brand new 4K restoration of the movie, offering an unprecedented viewing experience in both native 4K and 1080p resolutions. The native 4K presentation shines with HDR and Dolby Vision grades, significantly enhancing delineation, clarity, and depth. Outdoor scenes, in particular, benefit from a striking improvement in visual quality, making past footage appear flat and soft by comparison. Despite these enhancements, some density fluctuations have become more noticeable, though degraining issues from previous releases are thankfully absent. Image stability and the overall health of the visuals have seen substantial improvements, though the color balance, especially regarding blues, could use slight adjustments for perfection.

However, the 1080p presentation reveals issues not present in the 4K viewing experience. A key challenge involves the mishandling or replacement of digital values for blues with turquoise, a problem not encountered at all in the 4K resolution. This issue suggests that transitions from the 4K's wider color gamut to 1080p have not been managed carefully, leading to significant discrepancies in color accuracy across various scenes. The robust color dynamics and film grain resolution of the 4K presentation commendably bring the movie's rich visual landscape to life, yet it is regrettable that such care has not been extended equally to the 1080p version.

Despite these minor setbacks in the 1080p presentation, the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Girl from Rio" stands as a monumental improvement over previous versions. The deep blacks, stable image framing, and enhanced film grain details underscore an impressive restoration effort. Coupled with respectful Dolby Vision grading that perfectly captures a wider palette of blues without overemphasizing any highlights, this release maximizes the source material's potential. With its broader color gamut and refined visuals, this version decisively offers the best home viewing experience of the film to date, making it an essential upgrade for fans and newcomers alike.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Girl from Rio" is equipped with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track, offering a singular but capable audio experience for audiences. Accompanying this are optional English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles, catering to a broader range of viewers. While the audio presentation maintains its lossless quality reminiscent of its predecessor, the 2016 Blu-ray release, it manages to deliver without introducing any noticeable improvements or regressions. The preservation of technical audio details between releases underscores a commitment to audio fidelity, ensuring that enthusiasts of the film receive a consistent auditory experience.

Listeners can expect a very good rendition of the film's audio, similar to what was previously heard. Despite some inherited limitations—hardly extraordinary for releases of this nature—there are no new encoding anomalies or damage to the source material that detract from the experience. The dubbing and music, crucial aspects of any film's auditory landscape, are addressed with care, complemented by minimal hiss that does not overshadow the feature's soundtrack. This level of meticulousness in handling the audio elements helps maintain an immersive environment for the viewer.

Notably, any discrepancies in key auditory aspects that could have differentiated this release from its earlier version were indiscernible. This consistency indicates a stable preservation effort for the movie's original sound profile, albeit within the constraints of a 1.0 mono track. The absence of distortion or significant noise suggests a clean transfer, affirming the quality and attention given to replicating the film's audio heritage for contemporary audiences and aficionados alike.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Girl from Rio" offers an enriching array of extras, catering to both newcomers and seasoned collectors. The dual commentaries by film historians Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth provide deep dives into the film's production nuances, influencing trends in genre cinema, and intricate discussions on its stylistic and narrative identity under Jess Franco's direction. The inclusion of both "Rocking in Rio" and "Rolling in Rio" featurettes present a comprehensive exploration of the film’s conception, unique qualities, and reflections from the cast and crew, enriching the viewing experience with behind-the-scenes insights. The archival materials, including poster and still galleries, alongside additional scenes and trims, offer fans a precious glimpse into the film’s history and alternate versions. Notably, the RiffTrax edition adds a contemporary twist, offering a humorously riffed interpretation by Mike Nelson, Bill Cobett, and Kevin Murphy. This extras package, spearheaded by Blue Underground, is meticulously curated to enhance appreciation for "The Girl from Rio," making it an essential upgrade for aficionados of genre cinema.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: A new audio commentary by critics Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth.
• Rocking in Rio: Stephen Thrower discusses Jess Franco's career and "The Girl from Rio."
• Rolling in Rio: An archival featurette with insights from Shirley Eaton, Jess Franco, and Harry Alan Towers.
• Poster and Still Gallery: Curated by Gregory Chick, featuring promotional materials and behind-the-scenes stills.
• Additional Scenes and Trims: Includes footage from the German version “The Seven Secrets of Sumuru” and unearthed trims without audio.
• RiffTrax Edition: Featuring Mike Nelson, Bill Cobett, and Kevin Murphy's comedic take on the film.

The Girl from Rio," also known as "Future Women," directed by Jess Franco and based on Sax Rohmer's characters, is a riveting 1969 spy caper that has been meticulously restored and presented in 4K UHD by Blue Underground. The release is adorned with a rich selection of bonus features, including a fresh critic program and audio commentary, alongside archival insights from key figures such as Shirley Eaton and Franco himself. This vivid restoration ensures that the film's vibrant Rio de Janeiro settings and the psychedelic visuals are more arresting than ever, with optional subtitles making it accessible to a wider audience.

Set against the backdrop of Rio’s alluring landscapes, the narrative revolves around Jeff Sutton (portrayed by Richard Wyler), who finds himself ensnared in a complex web involving a crime lord, Masius (George Sanders), and the enigmatic Sumitra (Shirley Eaton), surrounded by her formidable all-female army. The movie dives deep into espionage with a twist, showcasing Franco's unique blend of action, eroticism, and psychedelics, which defies conventional categorization. Franco's masterful use of location, paired with Manuel Merino's cinematography, elevates the film, incorporating real carnival footage to add authenticity and vibrance to the mise-en-scène. The film's low budget is evident in spots – from the minimalistic sets of Femina to the visibly cheap props – yet these elements contribute rather than detract, imbuing the film with a distinctive B-movie charm.

Franco’s approach to "The Girl from Rio" epitomizes a subversive take on the spy genre, intertwining kinky dynamics and a focus on female empowerment that was ahead of its time. The narrative, while meandering through its harebrained plot with unexpected turns, remains engaging thanks to its charismatic villainesses and an undercurrent of humor amidst the sadism and sexuality. This film not only highlights Franco's adoration for the female form but presents a narrative where women hold substantial power both physically and emotionally. "The Girl from Rio" stands out as an accessible yet profound entry into Franco’s oeuvre, offering an unconventional spy saga that celebrates its eccentricities with undeniable flair and creativity.

In the intriguing world of 4K UHD restorations, Blue Underground's release of Jess Franco's "The Girl from Rio" stands out for its ambitious endeavor to elevate a cult classic to modern visual standards. This psychedelic thriller thrives on its eccentricity, delivering a viewing experience that is as bewildering as it is entertaining, epitomizing the charm of vintage European B-films. The restoration shiningly presents the film in native 4K, unveiling a vivid palette and enhanced details that breathe new life into the vibrant world Franco created. However, the 1080p version of this restoration somewhat falters, lacking the depth and clarity expected from such a meticulous upgrade. Fans of Franco and aficionados of the genre will find this release a treasure trove, given its significant improvement over the 2016 Blu-ray in terms of picture quality and its substantial supplements package, which further enriches the viewing experience.

Shirley Eaton’s portrayal of the enigmatic Sumuru adds a layer of allure and danger, dovetailing perfectly with the film's extravagant narrative and setting. This character-driven tale of espionage and seduction benefits immensely from the 4K UHD upgrade, with textures, colors, and contrasts popping in a manner that was previously unimaginable. The technical prowess demonstrated in this release sets a high bar, showcasing what can be achieved with careful attention to detail in the restoration process. Despite its minor shortcomings in the 1080p presentation, this release is a definitive example of how to honor the legacy of cult cinema while embracing the latest in home entertainment technology.

To conclude, Blue Underground's 4K UHD release of "The Girl from Rio" is an essential addition to the collection of any cinephile with an affinity for cult classics or the oeuvre of Jess Franco. While it may not boast perfection across all formats, its strengths far outweigh its limitations, offering an unparalleled visual feast that both preserves and revitalizes the original work. This release is not just highly recommended; it is a testament to the enduring appeal of genre films and the evolving art of film restoration.