Blown Away 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's release of Blown Away on 4K UHD Blu-ray marks a significant upgrade from previous home format presentations. This new edition, sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, showcases the film in its original 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio. Featuring Dolby Vision HDR, WCG, and encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec, this disc exemplifies superior technical work. The resolution clocks in at 3840x2160/24p BT.2020, presenting a richer and more vivid experience. The enhancements are appreciable, particularly in outdoor visuals, with vibrant Hawaiian shirts and an impressive Boston skyline given new life. The explosions are spectacular, benefiting immensely from the vibrancy offered by WCG, HDR, and Dolby Vision.

The Dolby Vision grade significantly improves color balance, with primary colors and nuanced tones superbly saturated. Skin tones appear healthy, wood tones are rich and deep, and the explosion scenes look richer than ever. Black levels are rock-solid with impeccable shadow detail, contributing to the depth in key sequences. Textures and facial features are sharper and cleaner, anchored by a well-managed film grain that retains the filmic essence without excessive smoothing. The native 4K presentation shows appreciable superiority over its 1080p counterpart, especially on large screens where stability and movement fluidity shine.

Though occasional minor lapses in image clarity occur, such as during the opening minutes due to fixed subtitles and credits overlay, the overall visual quality is outstanding. The high bitrates, often in the upper 80mbps range, contribute to a robust picture quality. The Dolby Vision color palette offers a naturalistic yet vibrant green that fits the film’s Irish theme perfectly, enhancing blues, yellows, and reds proportionately. Black levels deliver excellent depth without crush issues. While not the greatest 4K disc ever, Kino Lorber's Blown Away UHD Blu-ray is a noteworthy improvement over previous releases and a welcome visual enhancement for fans of the film.

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "Blown Away" offers two audio tracks: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is particularly noteworthy, providing a dynamic and immersive listening experience. Dialogue is crisp and firmly placed across the frontal channels, ensuring clarity throughout the film. The score, which includes hits from U2, The Pogues, and October Project, envelops the soundstage with impressive depth and enhances critical scenes. The effects, especially during the intricate bomb sequences, are innovatively executed, with explosive sounds reverberating powerfully to amplify the tension. A touch more LFE would have been appreciated, but overall, the mix delivers an excellent soundscape.

Regrettably, one significant point of contention is the replacement of Aretha Franklin's tracks due to rights issues. This version uses generic vocals for her song, which some fans might find disappointing. Despite this, the overall audio performance remains robust and engaging. Surround channels are constantly active, whether capturing the ambiance of indoor settings or exterior city noise, contributing to an immersive environment. The explosions and fireworks are particularly well-mixed, rattling the low-end effectively and adding substantial impact.

While some may lament the absence of a Dolby Atmos track, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix stands its ground admirably. The film's more nuanced moments, such as the opening thunderstorm and crowd scenes, are also rendered with pleasing heft and fidelity. Although certain music swaps might slightly tarnish purists' experience, for most viewers, the auditory journey remains captivating and powerful.

Kino’s 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Blown Away" offers a robust selection of extras, spanning both 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs. The UHD disc includes two commentary tracks: one by director Stephen Hopkins, who provides detailed insights into the film's production, including location choices, shooting massive explosions, and cast performances; and a new track by critics Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, which explores the film’s production history, box office performance, and Boston’s significance. The Blu-ray disc extends the content with an archival featurette, trailer, TV spots, and a music video, providing a well-rounded set of supplementary materials that enhance the appreciation of the film's intricate production elements.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary featuring Stephen Hopkins: Detailed insights on film production and critical reception.
• Audio Commentary featuring Mike Leeder and Arne Venema: Explorations of production history and cinematic context.
• The Making of Blown Away: A Day in the Life of a Bomb Squad: Archival program on the film's production with interviews.
• Take Me Home: Music Video: Original music video for Joe Cocker and Bekka Bramlett's song.
• TV Spots: Several vintage TV spots for "Blown Away."
• Trailer: Remastered original theatrical trailer.

Stephen Hopkins' 1994 film "Blown Away" showcases an ambitious attempt to blend nail-biting action sequences with deeper character narratives, though it struggles with coherence and credibility. The film revolves around Boston bomb squad expert Jimmy Dove (Jeff Bridges), who relocates from Belfast and hides a dark past—his real identity as Liam McGivney, a former IRA bomber. Ryan Gaerity (Tommy Lee Jones), his embittered former mentor, escapes from an Irish prison and embarks on a vendetta against Dove, orchestrating complex bomb plots across Boston. Despite the inherently gripping premise of an escalating cat-and-mouse game, the film's plot is marred by implausible elements, notably the ease with which a reformed terrorist integrates into a highly visible law enforcement role.

Visually, "Blown Away" excels with meticulously crafted explosions and tense disarmament sequences, underscoring the dying era of practical effects in the 1990s. Peter Levy’s cinematography effectively captures the chaotic kinetic energy inherent in bomb scenarios, particularly in setpieces like the Boston dock explosions. Alan Silvestri's score, enhanced with tracks by U2 and The Pogues, heightens suspense, especially during harrowing moments such as a bomb-laden computer lab or the hair-raising domestic sequence where Dove’s wife narrowly avoids triggering a hidden explosive. However, some technical choices, like Jones’s inconsistent Irish accent and overly elaborate bomb mechanisms, often distract and detract from the gritty authenticity it strives for.

The performances bring nuance to otherwise cliched roles. Jeff Bridges imbues his part with a resonant emotionality, elevating his depiction of a haunted man confronting his tumultuous past. Tommy Lee Jones oscillates between chilling menace and over-the-top villainy in what is both a compelling and borderline caricature portrayal of Gaerity. The supporting cast, including Lloyd Bridges and Forest Whitaker, provide solid if unremarkable support. Ultimately, while "Blown Away" doesn’t quite rival contemporaries like "Speed" in seamless action and narrative coherence, it stands as a diverting thriller with memorable moments of cinematic tension.

"Blown Away" epitomizes the 1990s action thriller genre, merging committed performances by the likes of Jeff Bridges, Tommy Lee Jones, and Forest Whitaker with high-octane practical effects. Although it struggled to gain the same notoriety as contemporaries like "Speed" or "In the Line of Fire," it remains a compelling piece, bolstered by its succession of bomb-driven set pieces and visceral tension. Kino Lorber’s UHD release significantly enhances the visual presentation with gorgeous native 4K quality and Dolby Vision HDR, making this an extraordinary upgrade over previous Blu-ray editions.

From a technical standpoint, the 4K restoration by Kino Lorber is exemplary. The visual fidelity in both 4K and 1080p formats brings out remarkable detail, likely surpassing what viewers experienced in the film's original theatrical run. Though the audio track features some imperfections that may leave purists unsatisfied—particularly concerning the somewhat "fakey" replication of the classic Franklin song from the original soundtrack—the overall presentation is notably strong. This balance of visual allure and robust sound design makes for an immersive viewing experience, worthy of the extra cost associated with this premium format.

"Blown Away" may not be a paragon of realism or storytelling excellence, but its dedicated cast and thrilling action sequences offer efficient and memorable entertainment. The excellent 4K UHD release from Kino Lorber ensures that fans and first-time viewers alike can experience this hidden gem in its finest form to date. Despite its narrative and performative inconsistencies, the film's adrenaline-pumping moments are well worth re-visiting. Recommended for those who appreciate 90s action thrillers and value high-quality home video presentations.