Basquiat 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The Criterion 4K UHD release of Basquiat delivers a strikingly refined black and white presentation, encoded in HEVC/H.265 at 2160p and framed in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This new restoration—supervised and approved by director Julian Schnabel—originates from the 35mm original camera negative, ensuring fidelity to the film's visual intent. The disc utilizes Dolby Vision HDR, which superbly accentuates contrast: blacks are impressively deep with minimal crush, revealing nuanced shadows and detail. Fine textural improvements are evident in close-ups, especially in facial features and fabrics, while a consistent and well-resolved grain layer preserves the filmic quality without introducing visual defects. Occasional moments of slight degradation from source elements such as VHS or 16mm inserts are present but fully authentic to the original production.

For those interested in color presentations, the package includes a 1080p Blu-ray featuring a restoration of the original 1996 theatrical version in full color—clear, vivid, and equally free from blemishes, with intentional color accents rendered impressively. The UHD disc, however, is exclusive to the black and white variant (except for a brief post-credits color coda), maximizing visual contrast and subtle gradation through Dolby Vision’s increased dynamic range. This results in a luminous and impactful viewing experience, though some may wish a 4K color edition had been included as well. Overall, the transfer demonstrates Criterion’s high standards for archival accuracy and presentation excellence.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Basquiat" presents an immersive audio experience through its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, expertly remastered from the original digital audio master files. The mix demonstrates impressive clarity, with dialogue rendered consistently clean and fully detailed, free from distortion or dropouts. Surround channels are effectively engaged, particularly during key sequences set in bustling art galleries and outdoor environments, where subtle ambient spill enhances scene authenticity and spatial depth.

A standout aspect is the film’s celebrated and varied soundtrack, featuring artists such as The Pogues, Public Image Ltd., Iggy Pop, and Miles Davis. The 5.1 mix offers a nuanced presentation of these tracks, providing both depth and heft while ensuring the music integrates naturally with environmental and dialogue elements. Crowded scenes benefit from noticeable surround activity without overshadowing vocals or effects, resulting in a balanced and articulate soundscape. Optional English subtitles are included for accessibility.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Basquiat" distinguishes itself with a focused set of thoughtful, well-curated extras. The key supplement is an insightful audio commentary by Julian Schnabel and Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan, which is offered exclusively with the black-and-white version on the 4K disc, signaling Schnabel’s potential preference for this cut. The Blu-ray disc complements this with an engaging new interview featuring Jeffrey Wright, in which he reflects candidly on his role and the film’s broader legacy. A vintage “Charlie Rose” segment from 1996 reunites Schnabel and David Bowie for an extended, atmosphere-rich conversation, while both the original theatrical trailer and a new 2024 trailer present archival and contemporary promotional glimpses. Packaging is enhanced by a foldout leaflet with an essay by Roger Durling and an inner print insert featuring Wright as Basquiat.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary Featuring Julian Schnabel and Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan: In-depth track, exclusive to the black and white version.
• Jeffrey Wright Interview: A recent interview with the lead actor, covering his perspective on the film.
• Julian Schnabel and David Bowie, 1996: Extended Charlie Rose segment capturing period insights.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: The film’s original promotional spot.
• 2024 Trailer: The updated trailer for this edition.
• Foldout Leaflet (Essay by Roger Durling): Supplementary essay and inner print insert.

Julian Schnabel’s "Basquiat" sidesteps the conventional biopic formula, favoring an impressionistic and authentically personal approach. The narrative is anchored by Jeffrey Wright’s extraordinary debut as Jean-Michel Basquiat, an artist whose meteoric rise in the 1980s New York art scene was both dazzling and tragic. Schnabel, himself a contemporary of Basquiat and central to the era, uses a stellar ensemble cast—featuring David Bowie as Andy Warhol, Benicio del Toro, Parker Posey, Dennis Hopper, and others—to evoke the atmosphere of art-world celebrity, interpersonal friction, and the realities of youth, race, and artistic genius. Rather than painstaking character exposition, Schnabel often lets the actors’ reputations and performances fill narrative gaps, keeping the film brisk and evocative.

The director’s creative decision to present the film in black and white for this 4K UHD release is significant. While originally in color, with a palette that resonated with Basquiat’s explosively vivid artwork, this version strips away pigment, creating a dreamlike, memory-infused ambiance. This recasting enhances the melancholic undertones and reflects Schnabel’s intention to prevent the artwork from overshadowing the subject. Purists may contest the shift in presentation, especially since much of Basquiat’s legacy is inexorably tied to color, but the choice undeniably imparts a haunting quality that underscores the film’s themes of loss, creativity, and ephemeral fame. Notably, only this monochrome version is available on the 4K disc, with both color and black and white included on the 1080p disc.

Ultimately, Schnabel eschews traditional narrative arcs, offering instead a textured mood piece rooted in authenticity and powered by Wright’s compelling portrayal. By resisting the typical rise-and-fall structure, the film draws viewers into Basquiat’s restless world—one shaped by relentless commercial demands and brief moments of peace found in artistic creation—while subtly questioning whether fame can ever match the intrinsic satisfaction that drove his art.

Julian Schnabel’s Basquiat arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray with notable artistic and technical distinction. Schnabel’s intention to avoid a simplistic or outsider’s view is manifest in both the narrative and visual approach, achieving a sense of authenticity that deeply informs Jeffrey Wright’s remarkable debut as Jean-Michel Basquiat. The film opts for an impressionistic and immersive style over traditional biopic formulae, eschewing Hollywood conventions and leveraging a distinguished ensemble cast to evoke the surreal intersection of meteoric fame and the harsh realities of race and youth in America. Wright’s portrayal is both nuanced and genuine—in part thanks to the creative workaround of recreating Basquiat’s art on screen due to estate restrictions.

Of particular note is this release’s “director’s cut” presentation: remastered in black and white for the film’s 25th anniversary, it transforms the original 1996 color palette into monochrome, amplifying an oneiric, memory-like quality. Touches such as the absence of Basquiat’s signature gold crown or Madonna’s vivid pink scarf add to a haunting aesthetic, though some viewers may lament the loss of color. Importantly, Criterion provides both the new black-and-white version and the original color cut, catering to purists and those curious about Schnabel's revised vision. Supplementary materials deepen appreciation, with thoughtful insights from Schnabel providing essential context for his choices.

In conclusion, this 4K UHD release stands out as both a technical achievement and an enriched reflection on Basquiat’s life and legacy. By offering dual versions alongside comprehensive extras, it not only honors the artist’s complex story but also augments Schnabel’s artistic expression. This edition firmly earns its place within the Criterion Collection, highly recommended for fans and newcomers alike.