The Blues Brothers Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer of "The Blues Brothers," presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, has garnered mixed yet primarily positive reviews. The remaster—approved by the director John Landis—is lauded for its fidelity to the original film's look, successfully maintaining a filmic quality with natural grain and an overall authentic appearance. Colors are generally bold and lifelike, with skintones appearing realistic and black levels rich and inky. However, inherent issues with the source material do manifest, such as slight edge enhancement, occasional noise, and a few scenes where black suits merge into the shadows. These minor imperfections, though present, do not significantly detract from the viewing experience.

Both the theatrical and extended cuts are available on the same disc, but there's a stark difference in video quality between them. While the theatrical cut boasts a consistent and pleasing visual performance, the extended cut suffers from noticeable inconsistencies due to being sourced differently. The additional scenes in the extended cut exhibit overexposed and washed-out looks that disrupt the seamless flow of the theatrical footage, often sticking out in stark contrast to the surrounding scenes. This discrepancy can be jarring and distracts from the otherwise cohesive experience provided by the theatrical version.

Despite its flaws, the "The Blues Brothers" Blu-ray transfer stands out for its clean encoding and lack of digital anomalies like macroblocking and banding. The print remains in good shape with no significant signs of age or damage, barring some sporadic edge enhancement and occasional softness. Overall, this Blu-ray release does justice to the film's original cinematography, delivering a visually rich and engaging presentation, especially for its thirty-plus years of age.

The audio presentation of The Blues Brothers Blu-ray edition, despite its omission of a lossless audio mix, delivers an exemplary experience with its 768kbps DTS 5.1 surround track. Although initially disappointing for audiophiles, this standard DTS track unexpectedly impresses with its clarity and precision. Dialogue remains clean, clear, and nicely prioritized, albeit a few lines occasionally blend into the cacophony of car chases and chaotic scenes. The LFE channel provides commendable depth for a film from 1980, enhancing bass elements effectively. While the surround speakers are somewhat restrained, they contribute meaningfully during dynamic sequences, ensuring a lively and immersive auditory environment. The mix utilizes original mono and 4-track stereo elements, leading to an inevitable frontward bias and some dated sound effects, but these are minor shortcomings considering the overall vibrant and satisfying soundscape.

Despite the absence of HD Master Audio, the DTS 5.1 surround track achieves a rich auditory experience that defies the film's age. Directionality is effective, with surround use creatively engaging during high-energy scenes filled with squealing tires, crashing cars, and whizzing bullets. Musical numbers are presented with exceptional fidelity and range, albeit mixed slightly higher than the film's other elements, causing some jarring transitions. However, this slight imbalance does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. The soundstage is well-balanced, with the bass providing substantial kick in action-heavy segments without overpowering the primary channels. It's noteworthy that Universal opted for this mix due to space limitations imposed by dual video transfers and extended running times.

In conclusion, Universal’s DTS 5.1 surround track for The Blues Brothers Blu-ray might not meet the high standards of lossless presentations, but it compensates remarkably well with a robust and engaging audio experience. Listeners can expect a pleasingly immersive soundstage that highlights the film's dynamic sequences and beloved musical numbers, making it a worthwhile listen for fans and newcomers alike.

The Blu-ray edition of The Blues Brothers provides a commendable compilation of supplementary materials, albeit in standard definition, that delve deep into the film's creation, music, and legacy. The prime offering is "Stories Behind the Making of The Blues Brothers," an exhaustive documentary featuring interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and intriguing anecdotes that paint a comprehensive picture of the film's journey from its origins to its eventual release. Complementing this is "Transposing the Music," a retrospective celebrating the 25th Anniversary with fresh interviews, and "Remembering John," a heartfelt tribute to John Belushi by his close associates. These extras, despite their SD quality and somewhat redundant content, significantly enhance the viewing experience for both seasoned fans and newcomers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Stories Behind the Making of The Blues Brothers: Exhaustive documentary covering all aspects of the film.
• Transposing the Music: 25th Anniversary retrospective with additional interviews.
• Remembering John: Tribute to John Belushi with insights from close associates.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical trailer in standard definition.

"The Blues Brothers," directed by John Landis, stands as a timeless classic combining sharp comedic chops, legendary musical performances, and high-octane action sequences. Starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues, the movie sees the duo embark on a "mission from God" to save their childhood orphanage by reuniting their band for a series of fundraising gigs. The plot is straightforward but serves as a perfect canvas for a series of incredible cameos and memorable set pieces. The film comes to life with abundant dry humor and larger-than-life creative flourishes, making it one of the most adored and frequently revisited comedies in cinematic history.

From its rip-roaring car chases to its immaculate musical interludes, "The Blues Brothers" showcases Landis's theatrical prowess and knack for kinetic, action-laden storytelling. The film features iconic performances from the likes of Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Cab Calloway, seamlessly woven into the narrative to celebrate the essence of blues and R&B. While Aykroyd and Belushi deliver their roles with impeccable deadpan precision, their unflinching characters—unfazed by the chaotic world around them—infuse an absurdist charm and wit into the film. Standout sequences such as the shopping mall police chase elevate the film's technical and comedic capacities, transforming car chases into stylistic extensions of the musical numbers.

Though it may be criticized for its minimal plot and lack of deep character development, "The Blues Brothers" thrives on its unswerving commitment to blend comedy with musical homage. It leverages its substantial budget to orchestrate spectacularly destructive yet choreographed vehicular mayhem that mirrors the rhythmic structure of its music sequences. The film’s ability to mesh these disparate elements into a coherent and exhilarating whole underscores its unique place in film history as an enduring cultural touchstone—a title reinvigorated through its pristine Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "The Blues Brothers" offers a captivating blend of action, comedy, and music that remains a timeless classic. Directed by John Landis, the film seamlessly integrates wild car chases, deadpan humor, and unforgettable musical performances into a cohesive and highly entertaining whole. Universal's Blu-ray edition features an impressive video transfer that has received Landis’ seal of approval. While the DTS 5.1 audio track, encoded at 768kbps, is not lossless, it provides a robust listening experience that captures the essence of the music and high-octane action sequences. This release retains supplements from the 2005 25th Anniversary Edition DVD, which are informative albeit redundant for those familiar with previous editions.

Nevertheless, there are some minor technical shortcomings. The video presentation, while outstanding on the whole, is not entirely free of issues, and the choice to include a lossless audio track for the supplemental features—but not for the main film itself—remains perplexing. These factors prevent it from achieving absolute perfection. Despite these minor nitpicks, Universal has managed to respect the legacy of this iconic movie through a conscientious production effort.

The Blues Brothers doesn't have much in the way of plot, but it doesn't need anything more. Landis' musical comedy is as much a part of the blues as the blues is a part of it; the two are as inseparable as any film and its inspiration can be. It only helps that it's as funny as it is, that it's aged as well as it has, and that it's as addicting as any early '80s musical comedy could be. Universal's Blu-ray release stands tall as well, even if its supplemental package has merely been recycled from the 2005 25th Anniversary Edition DVD. Its video transfer is outstanding (and approved by Landis to boot) and its DTS 5.1 audio, while a lossy mix, is a 768kbps treat. And for less than twenty dollars, it's priced to sell too. The Blues Brothers has never looked or sounded better than it does here.