To Live and Die in L.A. Blu-ray Review

Both the Shout! Factory and Arrow Video releases of "To Live and Die in L.A." come with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, sourced from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative and supervised by director William Friedkin. The enhancement over the old MGM release is appreciable, with better palette, detail, and grain resolution noted in most areas. Fine detail is particularly good in well-lit scenes and close-ups, while blacks are solid and shadow definition convincing across both new releases. Color spectrum improvements are marked, avoiding the past color inconsistencies, such as the lack of fine detail and inconsistent blacks observed in the MGM edition.

Despite these advancements, there are some occasional drawbacks. Both releases exhibit slight image degradation in some scenes, evidenced by coarser grain fields and a less appealing, browner palette—particularly noted in screenshots 16-19. Comparatively, the Arrow release manifests a slightly rougher grain appearance overall, rendering the degraded scenes somewhat more uniform. Restoration efforts have eliminated significant damage, though a very minor image wobble suggests this issue is inherent to the shared master source.

The new transfers offer a pleasing and film-like visual experience. The contrast and black levels are excellent, with vivid colors making an effective appearance throughout the film. However, these elevated colors can sometimes lead to over-saturated images, particularly resulting in overly orange skin tones—this is where the more subdued MGM transfer might provide a slightly more authentic, if less vibrant presentation. Though grain can occasionally be excessively pronounced, the overall clarity and visible detail provide a small yet discernible improvement over previous releases.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "To Live and Die in L.A." offers robust options that cater to both modern home theater enthusiasts and those seeking a more authentic, vintage experience. The release features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks on both the Shout Select and Arrow Video editions, with Arrow providing an LPCM 2.0 track as an additional option. The 5.1 track, while not overwhelmingly immersive, does utilize discrete channelization effectively for sound effects and ambient environmental noises. Particularly notable is the treatment of Wang Chung’s musical score, which benefits from broad stereo separation and subtle bleed into surround channels. Dialogue remains crisp and clear across all tracks, though the overall dynamic range does not reach the depth seen in more contemporary soundtracks.

Technical execution is generally proficient. The remixing of the 5.1 track is tastefully managed, creating a widened soundstage without resorting to artificial enhancements. While the 5.1 mix is recommended for the additional ambiance and a slightly richer presentation, it lacks aggressive panning activity, even in action-packed scenes like the famous car chase. On the other hand, the 2.0 track retains a more authentic feel akin to the film's original Dolby Stereo format, albeit at a lower encoded volume that requires manual adjustment. Sound effects are well-handled across both mixes, delivering crisp gunshots and engaging environmental sounds, although they are somewhat light on bass.

Ultimately, both audio tracks serve the film well, with the 5.1 providing a marginally superior experience due to its immersive qualities and enhanced presence of music and effects. The inclusion of English SDH subtitles ensures accessibility and adds to the overall value of these Blu-ray releases.

The Blu-ray extras for "To Live and Die in L.A." provide an in-depth exploration of the production and legacy of William Friedkin's thriller, featuring extensive interviews and behind-the-scenes content. Highlighted by candid anecdotes and professional insights, each featurette adds value to the home viewing experience. William Petersen gives a detailed account of his casting journey and the rapid production tempo, while Buddy Joe Hooker meticulously breaks down the practical challenges of the film's stunts. The inclusion of Wang Chung discussing their scoring process showcases the significant impact of the soundtrack on the film's mood. Moreover, smaller yet engaging interviews with actors like Dwier Brown and Debra Feuer further diversify the content, offering behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflections. The archival materials, including a commentary track by Friedkin and an elaborate making-of featurette, offer valuable context and highlight Friedkin's directorial methods.

Extras included in this disc:

• Taking a Chance: An interview with William Petersen about casting and the shoot.
• Wrong Way: The Stunts of To Live and Die in L.A.: Buddy Joe Hooker discusses practical stunts and the freeway chase.
• So in Phase: Scoring To Live and Die in L.A.: Wang Chung's Jack Hues and Nick Feldman on composing the soundtrack.
• Doctor for a Day: Dwier Brown recalls being cast in his first major film.
• Renaissance Woman in L.A.: Debra Feuer reminisces about her role and working with Friedkin.
• Deleted Scene and Alternate Ending: Features context and comments from cast and crew, including Friedkin.
• Counterfeit World: The Making of To Live and Die in L.A.: Archival featurette with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Still Gallery: A collection of promotional images.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original exciting film trailer.
• Radio Spot: Audio advertisement for the film.
• Audio Commentary: William Friedkin shares his thoughts on the project.

William Friedkin's "To Live and Die in L.A." is a high-octane crime thriller that has aged impressively well since its 1985 release. Based on Gerald Petievich's novel, the film portrays a gripping story of two Secret Service agents, played by William L. Petersen and John Pankow, who are relentlessly pursuing a psychopathic counterfeiter embodied by Willem Dafoe. The narrative is driven by Richard Chance (Petersen), whose obsession escalates after his partner’s murder, culminating in morally ambiguous decisions that spiral beyond control. The evocative score by Wang Chung grounds the film firmly in its mid-eighties context, yet paradoxically enhances its timeless quality.

Friedkin channels the same kinetic energy and visual slickness that characterized his earlier successes like "The French Connection". Critics labeled "To Live and Die in L.A." as an intensified, R-rated take on "Miami Vice", and while this might hold some truth, it is precisely the film's dynamic visual flair and sharp, morally complex script that make it stand out. The film doesn’t shy away from pushing boundaries, featuring shocking plot twists that defy conventional genre expectations. Performances are top-notch, with notable contributions from John Turturro and Dean Stockwell, adding depth to the well-realized characters.

The movie’s stylistic elements might appear dated to younger audiences due to its distinctly 1980s fashions and music. However, rather than detracting from its appeal, these components enrich the film’s portrayal of the era, rendering it an enduring cult classic. Key highlights include a now-legendary car chase sequence, which sees cars hurtling down L.A. freeways in the wrong direction at high speeds, showcasing Friedkin’s talent for orchestrating breathtaking action scenes. This semi-autobiographical throwback to Friedkin's earlier style remains a thrilling and compelling piece of 80s cinema.

William Friedkin's "To Live and Die in L.A." remains an essential piece of 1980s crime cinema, capturing the gritty essence of the era with remarkable precision. The new Shout! Factory Collector's Edition Blu-ray sets a new benchmark with its superior audio-visual presentation, significantly surpassing previous editions. The image quality has been meticulously restored, offering a pleasing grain structure, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks, which enhances the film's atmospheric tension and stylistic flare. Audio fidelity also receives a notable upgrade, delivering clear dialogue and well-balanced sound effects that intensify the film's dramatic moments.

This edition truly shines with its extensive array of extras, providing fans with in-depth behind-the-scenes features, director commentaries, and interviews that further enrich the viewing experience. These supplements augment the understanding of Friedkin's directorial vision and the film’s complex narrative layers. The combination of improved video quality and enriched content makes this edition a compelling buy for both new viewers and longstanding fans of the film.

Conclusively, while “To Live and Die in L.A.” does grapple with some dated clichés and displays underlying homoerotic themes through its visual choices, its moody atmosphere and climactic build-up ensure it remains a riveting thriller. The soundtrack by Wang Chung, although somewhat muted in mixing, adds a distinctive flavor to the film. Whether choosing the Arrow version for its grainfield preference or sticking with Shout! Factory for familiarity, both editions offer substantial viewing satisfaction. This Blu-ray release comes highly recommended for its superior presentation and richly packed bonus features.