Spinout Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Spinout from Warner Archive epitomizes the excellence expected from their top-tier restorations. Sourced from a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative, the 1080p transfer is executed with precision. The Panavision 2.35:1 aspect ratio is maintained flawlessly, allowing the film’s vibrant colors to shine. The transfer bursts with bright, bold hues and a rich palette that captures the Technicolor appeal authentically. The meticulous disc authoring boasts a high bit rate, ensuring an absence of compression issues such as posterization or black crush.

The film's visual clarity is superb, with a remarkable sharpness that highlights the intricate details and textures. The lush colors are accentuated, offering a silky feel due to the absence of grain. Noteworthy are the deep blacks and the fidelity of nocturnal scenes, while bright whites remain well-contained without blooming. Flesh tones are natural and stable, enhancing the authenticity of the viewing experience, and the high-definition close-ups reveal the expressive details of the cast's features.

This presentation is complemented by a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track, delivering sound with impressive fidelity for monophonic audio. Optional English subtitles are also available, along with chapter stops and a song selection menu that add functional convenience. Indeed, Warner Archive has once again raised the bar for Blu-ray releases, with Spinout visually representing a work of art despite its cinematic simplicity.

The Blu-ray release of "Spinout" by Warner Archive presents a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track that rivals the clarity and impact of contemporary stereo mixes. Sourced from the film’s original magnetic print master, the track benefits from a light restoration that successfully eliminates any hiss or static. This results in a remarkably clean and invigorating audio presentation where crisp dialogue, well-recorded song lyrics, and robust musical numbers are accentuated by minimal distortion. The mono mix combines an effective fidelity with impressive depth, ensuring that both dialogue and music deliver a consistently engaging listening experience.

While this non-stereo track may surprise audiophiles with its clarity, it significantly enhances the dynamic elements of the film. The racing scenes, with their powerful engine rumblings, are brought to life with enough gusto to rival more modern action sequences. The musical compositions, particularly Elvis Presley’s renowned numbers orchestrated by George Stoll, benefit from a resonant and expansive tonal quality that honor Presley's vocals with deserving excellence. The track maintains superior fidelity despite minor bass distortions in select scenes, ensuring a rich, full-bodied audio experience free from age-related hiss or pops.

Additionally, optional English (SDH) subtitles are available solely for the main feature, allowing for enhanced accessibility. This thoughtful inclusion complements the user-friendly interface featuring chapter stops and a song selection menu. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track stands out as a testament to quality audio restoration, delivering clarity and presence that makes "Spinout" an auditory delight worthy of its cinematic heritage.

The Blu-Ray extras for "Spinout" offer a nostalgic touch with a set of delightful inclusions that enhance the viewing experience, particularly for fans of classic animation and vintage cinema. Anchoring the collection are two remastered 1966 Tom and Jerry shorts, "Catty-Cornered" and "Filet Meow," both presented in HD, providing charming interludes of humor and creativity. The disc also features the film's theatrical trailer, a promotional artifact that captures the energetic spirit of Elvis in the 1960s. Additionally, a song selection menu provides instant access to all 11 main musical numbers from the film, catering to enthusiasts of its soundtrack. The decision to expand the offering to include such historic materials creates a more rounded product that goes beyond mere nostalgia.

Extras included in this disc:

• Tom & Jerry Shorts "Catty-Cornered": Jerry pits Tom against a neighbor cat.
• Tom & Jerry Shorts "Filet Meow": Tom hunts for a pet goldfish, aided by a shark.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage promotional piece.
• Song Selection: Access to 11 main musical numbers from the film.

"Spinout," directed by Norman Taurog and starring Elvis Presley, is a quintessential mid-60s musical comedy that showcases both the star's enduring charisma and the limitations often imposed by his management. The film revolves around Mike McCoy (Presley), a rock-and-roll band frontman and part-time race car driver whose lifestyle is turned upside down by the romantic pursuits of three women. Their affections drive the plot into a series of amusing yet formulaic scenarios, with freewheeling musical numbers punctuating the narrative. The characterizations are broad, with Shelley Fabares as the entitled Cynthia, Diane McBain as the calculating author Diana, and Deborah Walley as the earnest drummer Les.

Despite the implausible scenarios and predictable story arc, "Spinout" remains entertaining due to its vibrant presentation and Presley's screen presence. The film includes catchy tunes like "Stop, Look, and Listen" and "I'll Be Back," though they don't significantly advance the narrative. Designed to please the King’s loyal fans, Taurog's direction provides slick production values consistent with the period’s standards, using Panavision and Metrocolor to full effect. The cinematography accentuates both Presley's style and the colorful 1960s aesthetics, with car racing scenes—though clearly reliant on stunt work and process screens—adding a splash of excitement.

Presley fans will find much to enjoy here; the movie provides a breezy experience laden with musical charm and humor, albeit lacking depth. The ensemble cast, featuring familiar faces like Carl Betz and Warren Berlinger, contributes to the film’s lighthearted appeal. While “Spinout” might not stand as a pinnacle in Presley’s cinematic repertoire, it holds its appeal as a period piece reflective of both the era’s cultural landscape and Presley’s unique role in it. Viewers harbored with nostalgia for Elvis’s heyday are likely to appreciate this colorful outing despite its narrative shortcomings.

"Spinout," directed by Norman Taurog, presents a vibrant yet whimsical narrative that merges musical comedy, awkward romance, and thrilling car races. Despite its unconventional storyline, the film maintains a charming appeal primarily due to Elvis Presley's magnetic presence. Warner Archive's latest Blu-ray release of "Spinout" caters to both dedicated fans and newcomers enticed by the impressive audiovisual restoration. Elvis enthusiasts will appreciate this classic offering, featuring engaging musical interludes and lively support from the cast, even if the film itself doesn't reach cinematic heights.

The film is often criticized unfairly in rankings like Harry Medved's "Fifty Worst Films of All-Time." However, upon closer inspection, "Spinout" showcases decent performances that deliver an ideal escape for Elvis fans and offers mild entertainment for broader audiences. The screenplay, while not groundbreaking, fosters a quaint charm that aligns with the expectations from an Elvis movie during that era. The Blu-ray stands out with its brilliant transfer from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, enhanced by robust audio quality and supplementary vintage cartoons.

While "Spinout" serves as a relatively disposable vehicle for showcasing Elvis's talents amidst a lineup of classic beauties, the Blu-ray release provides an undeniably polished presentation. This delivers the quintessential Elvis experience as he rocks and croons his way through the film. In conclusion, Warner Archive's Blu-ray elevates "Spinout" to its finest home video release to date, making it a must-have for collectors and a delightful curiosity for those discovering the King of Rock and Roll's cinematic ventures.