The New York Ripper 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The New York Ripper's transition to 4K UHD Blu-ray, presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 and encoded with HEVC/H.265, signifies a landmark achievement in the film's visual history. Blue Underground's meticulous restoration, originally sourced from a 4K 16-bit scan of the original uncut and uncensored camera negative, now benefits from the leap to native 4K resolution. This progression not only enhances sharpness and fluidity but also respects the film's natural grain structure, preserving its cinematic texture. The inclusion of Dolby Vision HDR elevates the color reproduction, striking a balance between the vividness of the urban landscape and the natural tones of skin, offering a visual feast that presents the grime and glamour of 1980s New York with unprecedented clarity.

The attention to detail in this release is evident in the dynamic range enhancement, which brings out richer blacks and more nuanced shadow details, while also pushing the color palette to vibrant new heights without sacrificing authenticity. Neon lights and bloody hues pop with intensity, embodying the film’s gritty essence. Moreover, the increased disc space and higher encode provide ample breathing room for a stable, clean presentation, highlighting subtle textures and nuances in clothing, buildings, and facial expressions that were previously lost.

However, this release is not without its minor flaws. Some early scenes exhibit a flicker effect, a distraction that briefly mars an otherwise stellar visual display. Despite this, the overall improvement in image stability, color saturation, and shadow definition makes this 4K UHD Blu-ray a definitive version of The New York Ripper. With enhancements that breathe new life into the film’s atmospheric cinematography and grim aesthetics, it offers both longtime fans and newcomers an exceptional viewing experience that stands as a testament to the enduring power of visual restoration.

The "The New York Ripper" 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a comprehensive audio experience with multiple tracks to choose from, including the English Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and 5.1, along with Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0, and French and Spanish Dolby Digital 1.0 options. Subtitles are thoughtfully provided in English SDH, French, Spanish, and an English translation for the Italian audio track, ensuring accessibility for a broader audience. The standout is the new Dolby Atmos mix, which significantly enhances the film's auditory landscape without losing its original essence. This mix offers a well-defined dynamic range that elevates the movie's atmospheric tension. Despite being a new mix, it retains a classic feel which is crucial for the authenticity of the film's audio presentation.

Listeners will find the Atmos mix superior in providing spatial audio immersion, cleverly utilizing the soundstage to enhance the score and ambient effects, creating a more enveloping experience. The sound design navigates the complexities of delivering both dialogue clarity and atmospheric soundscapes effectively, using the height channels to add depth while ensuring the core audio elements remain balanced and undistorted. Although the original mono tracks, particularly in English and Italian, offer nostalgia with their clean, undamaged presentation, they exhibit limitations in fidelity and spatial feeling compared to the Atmos experience.

Choosing between the provided audio tracks ultimately depends on personal preference and setup capabilities. While the mono tracks authentically represent the film’s initial release with a certain flatness indicative of its time, both the Atmos and 5.1 mixes present an opportunity to experience "The New York Ripper" in a refreshed auditory dimension. The Atmos mix, however, does not feel artificially enhanced or over-processed; instead, it seamlessly integrates more ornate soundscapes, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a more immersive viewing experience without straying too far from the film's original auditory roots.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The New York Ripper" provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of Lucio Fulci’s notorious giallo, offering aficionados a chance to delve into both its controversial legacy and its intricate production details. Spearheaded by an insightful audio commentary from Troy Howarth, the extras dissect the film's tone, visual style, and Fulci’s evolving directorial approach, catering to both longtime fans and newcomers. The inclusion of numerous interviews with cast and crew members, including co-writer Dardano Sacchetti and actors Howard Ross and Zora Kerova, offers a multifaceted perspective on the filming experience, the challenges encountered during production, and Fulci's distinct working methods. Additionally, featurettes like "NYC Locations Then and Now" provide a unique look at the film’s real-world settings, enriching the viewer's understanding of its cinematic context. These extras serve not only as a celebration of Fulci’s work but also as a critical examination of the film’s impact and legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: By author Troy Howarth.
• Theatrical Trailer: Remastered trailer for The New York Ripper.
• The Art of Killing: Interview with co-writer Dardano Sacchetti.
• Three Fingers of Violence: Interview with actor Howard Ross.
• The Second Victim: Interview with co-star Cinzia de Ponti.
• The Broken Bottle Murder: Interview with co-star Zora Kerova.
• I'm an Actress: Interview with co-star Zora Kerova conducted in 2009.
• The Beauty Killer: Interview with author Stephen Thrower.
• Paint Me Blood Red: Interview with poster artist Enzo Sciotti.
• NYC Locations Then and Now: Featurette comparing key locations from The New York Ripper to their state in 2009.
• Poster and Still Gallery: Collection of original promotional materials for The New York Ripper.

Lucio Fulci's "The New York Ripper," a film enveloped in as much controversy as it is draped in the dark, murky atmospheres of New York City's underbelly, makes its 4K Ultra HD debut courtesy of Blue Underground. This presentation not only showcases the film's graphic and unsettling nature but also enhances its unique blend of fear, suspense, and a bizarrely kinky undertone that only Fulci could deliver. Set against the backdrop of New York, a city depicted with all its grim realities from graffiti-covered subways to streets lined with smut, the film follows Detective Fred Williams (Jack Hedley) as he hunts down a sadistic killer who violently slashes young women without mercy. The killer's eerie taunting phone calls, mimicking a duck, add a chillingly playful tone to the otherwise grim narrative.

Fulci's work is notorious for its bold confrontation with themes of violence and sexuality, and "The New York Ripper" is no exception. The film's marriage of outright gore with a palpable sense of dread makes for an experience that's as viscerally engaging as it is psychologically daunting. The meticulous 4K restoration magnifies every detail from the grizzly sequences of violence to the intricate build-ups that play like cinematic foreplays, enhancing the overall atmosphere with an unmistakable crispness. This level of detail brings to light Fulci's craft in utilizing the urban setting to amplify the story’s eeriness and the killer’s depravity, offering a raw look into a city ensnared by fear.

Technical merits aside, performances across the board present a mixed bag with instances of brilliantly executed fear contrasting sharply with moments that come across as stiff or oddly improvised. Nevertheless, Francesco De Masi's evocative score weaves throughout the narrative, adding layers of sophistication with its blend of jazz and psychedelia, thereby elevating the film far above its genre contemporaries in terms of auditory experience. Through this release, "The New York Ripper" not merely stands as a staple of Italian horror but also as a testament to Fulci's unflinching ability to dissect and display the intertwining of violence and psyche, making it an essential title for enthusiasts dwelling in the darker recesses of cinema.

In the realm of 4K UHD Blu-ray presentations, "The New York Ripper" stands out as an exemplary release, illustrating the heights that home cinema can achieve with the right care and technology. Blue Underground has once again demonstrated its prowess with a meticulous restoration that brings Lucio Fulci's controversial masterpiece to life like never before. This release is distinguished by its native 4K transfer with Dolby Vision HDR, which ensures that every frame is dripping with detail and vibrant colors that pop off the screen, particularly in scenes where the film's color palette is pushed to its limits. Coupled with a new Dolby Atmos audio mix, as well as 5.1 and mono mixes, the audio-visual experience is immersive, presenting the grimy streets of New York and the film's shocking gore with startling clarity.

However, it’s worth noting what this release lacks compared to other editions. The absence of a DVD copy, CD soundtrack of Francesco De Masi’s haunting score, and a 20-page insert booklet may leave some collectors feeling wanting, underscoring the value of comprehensive physical extras in enhancing the overall appreciation of the film. Despite this, fans still receive hours of bonus content that delves into the making and legacy of Fulci's work, ensuring that the purchase is a treasure trove for enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "The New York Ripper" in 4K UHD from Blue Underground is an essential addition to the library of any genre aficionado or home cinema connoisseur. The restoration is not just about upgrading the film’s technical aspects but also reinvigorating Fulci’s vision for a new audience. While the film itself may divide viewers due to its intense content and peculiar mix of horror and humor, this release underscores the importance of preserving cinema in its highest possible quality. With its breathtaking visual and auditory upgrade, along with substantial bonus materials, it's highly recommended for those prepared to confront its unflinching depiction of horror amidst New York's grimy backdrop.