Do the Right Thing

The Blu-ray transfer of "Do the Right Thing" presents a vibrant reimagining of Spike Lee's classic, showcasing the film's dynamic and stylized portrayal of a scorching New York summer with a fresh clarity that respects the original cinematography by Ernest Dickerson. The AVC 1080p 1.85:1 transfer captures the essence of the hottest day in Brooklyn with an expanded color palette that ranges from the saturated yellows of morning light to the intense oranges of the late afternoon sun. Despite a shift in color timing that moves away from the original's dirty yellow hue to a cleaner, brighter picture, the disc's portrayal still effectively conveys the oppressive heat central to the film's atmosphere. The contrast is strong, yet balanced, ensuring deep blacks and punchy whites that maintain detail without blooming.

Detail-wise, the transfer handles both close-ups and medium shots with finesse, preserving textures and nuances even in softer scenes. A fine grain throughout lends a filmic quality that suits the gritty aesthetic of the narrative, enhancing the visual experience without falling prey to intrusive digital noise reduction or edge enhancement artifacts. Limited instances of digital banding and a slight stutter during quick pans are minor blemishes in an otherwise commendable transfer. Black levels are consistently deep, reinforcing the image's depth and dimensionality, while flesh tones remain natural, showcasing fine facial textures.

Ultimately, this Blu-ray edition achieves a remarkable feat in delivering a twenty-year-old film with such stunning visual quality. The transfer navigates the balance between honoring Dickerson's original vision and embracing the benefits of modern home cinema technology. Fans might debate the change in color timing, but cannot overlook the overall enhancement this release brings to "Do the Right Thing," ensuring that its fiery visual themes and detailed presentation reach viewers with renewed intensity and depth.

The audio presentation of "Do the Right Thing" on its Blu Ray edition showcases a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless track that, while delivering an immersive auditory experience emblematic of the film's vibrant urban setting, leaves a bit desired in terms of rear channel engagement and overall ambient sound. Despite its foundations in the original Dolby Stereo SR (Spectral Recording) format, the transition to high-definition audio grants it a commendably expansive and layered feel. The soundtrack kicks off with an energetic delivery of Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," a recurring motif that is well-served by the track's handling, complemented by Branford Marsalis's saxophone and subtle sound effects like helicopters that enrich the front soundstage without overwhelming the audience.

Throughout the film, the sound design masterfully balances a dynamic mix of music, including a jazz-infused score by Bill Lee that benefits from the HD audio's wide dynamic range, and ambient Brooklyn sounds that provide a sense of place albeit with room for improvement in consistency and immersion. The bass-heavy duels of boomboxes, alongside critical scenes loaded with frenzied activity, gain depth from the track's use of the LFE channel, though it's noted to be sparingly active. Amid these soundscapes, the dialogue remains crystal clear, maintaining Robert Altman-esque layers of conversation without sacrificing understandability, ensuring that character tones are distinct and nuanced.

However, despite its strengths, there are noted shortcomings in how the background and ambience are conveyed through the surround channels, suggesting a missed opportunity for full immersion into the bustling life of a summer day on a busy Brooklyn block. The overall audio experience presented by the Blu Ray edition of "Do the Right Thing" thus strikes a balance between maintaining fidelity to its original sound design and embracing the enhancements offered by modern audio technology, achieving a high-quality lossless mix that is both enjoyable and reflective of the film's energetic and tense atmosphere.

The 20th-anniversary Blu-ray release of "Do the Right Thing" by Universal Studios Home Entertainment enriches the cinematic experience with a plethora of special features that delve into the making and impact of Spike Lee's groundbreaking film. While retaining much of the content from the earlier Criterion Collection DVD, this edition introduces new, high-definition material including deleted scenes and a lively new commentary by Spike Lee. The extras offer a deep dive into the film's creation, showcasing candid interviews with the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage, and retrospective analyses that highlight the film's cultural significance and the intricacies of its production. Notably, the detailed recollections from the cast during the "Do The Right Thing: 20 Years Later" featurette provide both humor and insight, making it a standout. Despite the omission of certain elements like the Public Enemy music video and Roger Ebert's essay, this collection presents fans with hours of engaging content that enhances appreciation for this pivotal film.

Extras included in this disc:

Do the Right Thing: 20 Years Later: Cast and crew reunite to reminisce about the film’s production.

Deleted and Extended Scenes: Eleven scenes presented in high definition, showcasing additional neighborhood activities.

Feature Commentary (2005): Insights from Spike Lee and key production members on the film’s making.

20th Anniversary Edition Feature Commentary: A newer, although occasionally silent, commentary by Spike Lee.

Behind the Scenes: A six-part series with footage from the making of the film, including a read-through and wrap party.

Making Do the Right Thing: An hour-long documentary about the film's production and its impact on Bed-Stuy.

Editor Barry Brown: A detailed interview with editor Barry Brown about his work on the film.

The Riot Sequence: An introduction by Spike Lee and a gallery of storyboards for the riot scene.

Cannes, 1989: Footage from a Q&A panel at Cannes featuring Spike Lee and cast members.

Trailers: Includes a theatrical trailer and two TV spots in standard definition.

Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing," set against the backdrop of Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, is a vibrant, confrontational film that delves into racial tensions on the hottest day of the year. Through a series of seemingly mundane events, Lee crafts a narrative that steadily builds towards a combustive climax, underscoring the complexity of racial dynamics within a community. The film centers around Sal's Famous Pizzeria, an Italian-owned business in a predominantly African-American area, sparking a day-long escalation after a complaint about the lack of representation on the restaurant's Wall of Fame. This dispute, highlighting the intersection of racial pride and economic survival, sets the stage for a broader exploration of community, identity, and violence. Lee's narrative is episodic yet cohesive, capturing the urgency and heat of the day, making "Do the Right Thing" both a time capsule and a timeless reflection on race relations.

The technical execution of "Do the Right Thing" showcases Spike Lee’s maturation as a filmmaker, employing innovative camera work and storytelling techniques to amplify the film’s message. His use of direct-address, montages, and a vibrant color palette immerses viewers in the simmering tensions of Bed-Stuy, aligning them with the characters' experiences and emotions. Unique camera angles and close-ups add an almost surreal quality to the film, enhancing its dreamlike, yet insistently real atmosphere. The ensemble cast delivers compelling performances, transforming Brooklyn's streets into a stage for an unfolding Greek tragedy. As temperatures and tempers rise, Lee cleverly parallels the weather with the mounting racial tensions, culminating in a climax that forces viewers to confront their own prejudices and perceptions.

Despite its controversial ending and message, "Do the Right Thing" endures as a cultural touchstone. Its oscillation between humor and drama, love and hate, serves as a potent reminder of the complexities of racial discourse. Lee’s portrayal of Bed-Stuy’s melting pot of characters—from Radio Raheem with his love-hate adorned knuckles to Da Mayor and Mother Sister—captures the essence of community amidst diversity. The film, while rooted in its 1989 context, presciently addresses issues that remain relevant today. Its conclusion leaves us pondering the effectiveness of violence and the power of self-defense in achieving racial justice. By presenting contrasting quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, Lee invites viewers into a dialogue about resistance, underscoring “Do the Right Thing” not only as a cinematic landmark but as a catalyst for ongoing conversation about race, justice, and community in America.

Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing," a thought-provoking dive into the complexities of racial tension in America, stands as not only a culturally significant film but also an intellectually daring creation that has retained its power and relevance over the years. Set against the backdrop of Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, it prefigures significant racial upheavals in America, like the Rodney King beating and the subsequent LA riots, with unnerving accuracy and astuteness. This Blu-ray edition offers a remarkable viewing experience that does justice to Lee's visionary direction, featuring an impressive audiovisual (A/V) presentation that elevates the film's already potent message. The colors, though notably adjusted, complement the film's heated narrative, creating a vivid portrayal of a community on the brink.

The technical aspects of this Blu-ray release are outstanding, with an excellent picture quality that captures the sweltering summer atmosphere of the film's setting and clear, immersive sound that draws the viewer into the bustling streets of Brooklyn. In addition to the stellar A/V presentation, the Blu-ray disc is packed with an exhaustive set of supplementary features that enrich the viewing experience, offering deep dives into the making of the film, its cultural impact, and the technical prowess behind its production. Such comprehensive extras make this release a treasure trove for fans and a compelling discovery for newcomers.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray edition of "Do the Right Thing" is highly recommended for its superb treatment of a film that remains as entertaining as it is socially and politically poignant. With its fine-tuned picture and sound quality, alongside an unparalleled set of extras, it offers both a spectacular home cinema experience and a valuable educational resource that sheds light on the enduring importance of Lee's work in understanding racial dynamics in America. This release is not only a must-own for fans but also essential viewing for anyone seeking to explore the depths of one of cinema's most important cultural documents.