A Star Is Born Blu-ray Review

Warner's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation of "A Star Is Born" is a testament to meticulous preservation and technical excellence. Under the expert eye of three-time Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Surtees, the film exudes a studio glamor and romantic ambiance, even in less flattering moments. The source material shows no sign of aging or deterioration, ensuring a visually stunning experience. Fine detail resolution is impressive, with individual faces in concert crowds and intricate details of clothing and hairstyles from the 1970s prominently retained. Black levels are immaculate and colors are vibrantly delineated, from the garish concert lighting to the earthy tones of John Norman's ranch. A fine, natural grain pattern complements the visual authenticity, maintaining a cinematic feel devoid of any digital artifacting.

While the transfer is mostly consistent, it does exhibit some minor variability in sharpness and color density across scenes. Occasionally, shots may appear slightly soft or faded, though these instances are subtle and do not significantly detract from the overall visual quality. The contrast remains well-balanced with solid blacks, crisp whites, and natural fleshtones. The film features a spate of well-defined medium close-ups which emphasize actor characteristics distinctively. Primaries are used sparingly but effectively, enriching the viewer experience without overwhelming the earth-toned palette that predominates much of the mise-en-scène. Notable scenes include John Norman's strikingly red sports car, demonstrating Warner's commitment to color fidelity and timing.

Viewers will appreciate the absence of compression errors, with an average bitrate of 25.96 Mbps ensuring smooth playback. Issues such as crush, banding, noise, and edge enhancement are notably absent, contributing to a highly satisfying visual experience. This Blu-ray edition certainly sets a new benchmark for this 37-year-old classic, offering fans an aesthetically refined rendition that honors Surtees' original vision and showcases Warner's technical prowess in film restoration and digital transfer.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "A Star Is Born" features a newly remastered DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that significantly enhances the musical performances which lie at the heart of the film. Initially mixed by Phil Ramone, the track emphasizes clarity and dynamic range, creating an impressive auditory experience that captures the sense of a live performance. Barbra Streisand's insistence on live singing during the musical numbers results in a rich, immersive sound that is free from the over-amplification issues common in similar concert films. The front-centered mix leverages rear channels to provide a spacious atmosphere, especially during key musical moments and large audience scenes.

However, the mix presents noticeable challenges during certain dramatic sequences. Early in the film, dialogue clarity is compromised, particularly in scenes where overlapping conversations occur against musical backdrops. For instance, during a coffeehouse scene, Streisand's vocals overshadow critical dialogue exchanges, making it difficult to follow essential plot-driving elements. This issue is less pronounced as the film continues, with later scenes balancing music and dialogue more effectively. Despite this flaw, the track excels in handling a wide dynamic scale without distortion, even at high volumes, ensuring a robust audio quality throughout.

The surround sound and stereo separation notably excel during musical sequences, creating an immersive environment that brings the concert-like atmosphere to life. The use of rear channels during scenes such as outdoor concerts establishes a powerful auditory presence with elements like helicopters and motorcycles enhancing the depth. Streisand's vocal performances are particularly highlighted with striking clarity and precision, making songs like 'Woman in the Moon,' 'I Believe in Love,' and 'Evergreen' stand out exquisitely. The inclusion of accent sounds such as clicking cameras and engine rumbles adds to the intricate audio tapestry, elevating the overall listening experience despite early dialogue issues.

The extra features on the Blu-ray edition of "A Star Is Born" offer a range of valuable insights into the film's production and legacy. The commentary by Barbra Streisand is thoughtful, though it does gloss over some of the more controversial aspects of the film's creation, particularly her relationship with director Frank Pierson. The wardrobe tests and deleted scenes provide additional context, albeit with some frivolous commentary from Streisand. The trailer gallery offers a retrospective look at previous iterations of "A Star Is Born," showcasing the film's evolution over the decades. While the extras ported from the 2005 DVD release are useful, they lack the depth that a dedicated retrospective documentary could provide.

Extras included on this disc:

• Commentary with Barbra Streisand: Detailed yet selectively revealing commentary, focusing mainly on Streisand's perspective.
• Wardrobe Tests with Commentary by Barbra Streisand: Commentary on costume tests, highlighting Streisand's personal wardrobe choices.
• Deleted Scenes/Alternate Takes with Optional Commentary by Barbra Streisand: Twelve excised scenes, featuring Streisand’s insights.
• Trailer Gallery: Historical trailers from 1937, 1954, and 1976 versions of "A Star Is Born".

The 1976 iteration of "A Star Is Born" navigates through both praise and controversy with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson at the helm. Streisand, with her dominant creative control, influences every aspect—from script rewrites to personal wardrobe choices. Despite Streisand's stellar performances, critics often cite her as overbearing, overshadowing the collaborative nature essential for the film's storytelling. The film's narrative suffers from uneven character development and occasionally strained credibility, notably in scenes such as the Grammy Awards debacle. Yet, it manages to capture the era's concert scene ambience, which adds a level of authenticity.

John Norman Howard (Kristofferson) is poignantly portrayed as a disenchanted rock star whose career is in decline. His chance meeting with fledgling singer Esther Hoffman (Streisand) sparks both a romantic and professional ascent for her. Streisand's interpretation of Esther diverges from previous iterations, presenting a more confident, assertive character that contrasts sharply with John Norman's deteriorating ego and career. Critics argue that this dynamic unintentionally shifts focus from their relationship's tenderness to near-combative tension, diluting the story's emotional impact.

The film’s standout element is its music. Streisand’s live-recorded performances inject vitality and nuance into songs like "Evergreen," "Woman in the Moon," and "I Believe in Love," demonstrating her vocal prowess despite the film’s flaws. However, Kristofferson’s contributions are perceived as less impressive. Ultimately, while "A Star Is Born" boasts significant moments and was a major box office success, its legacy is hindered by Streisand’s overpowering influence and the dated '70s vibe, making it less timeless compared to its predecessors.

Warner's Blu-ray presentation of the 1976 version of "A Star Is Born," starring Barbra Streisand, is a technically strong, yet thematically polarizing release. Enhanced by an excellent video transfer and enriched packaging, this version offers a visual treat that does justice to its era. However, the audio quality is somewhat inconsistent, and while the set includes a respectable assortment of supplemental materials, it may not offer enough for those who are not ardent fans of either Streisand or the film itself.

The film's reception remains mixed. Streisand's rendition has often faced criticism for its perceived ego-driven and lackluster narrative. Despite these shortcomings, her vocal performances are undeniably stellar and provide moments of genuine impact. When compared to Judy Garland's iconic portrayal in the 1954 version, Streisand's effort appears inferior in storytelling and emotional depth. However, there are elements of charm and powerful musical performances that can transcend the film’s other limitations.

In conclusion, Barbra Streisand's "A Star Is Born" may not achieve the cinematic heights of its predecessors, but it holds a peculiar charm that continues to captivate a niche audience. As Streisand herself noted, the narrative might seem outdated in an era where fame is more ephemeral and accessible through social media and reality TV. Nevertheless, Warner’s Blu-ray release is highly recommended for its technical qualities and passionate delivery, despite the film’s inherent flaws. With talks of a modern remake lingering, it will be interesting to see how a new version could realign this timeless story for contemporary viewers.