Vice Squad Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Vice Squad" presents an impressive visual upgrade, leveraging a new 4K scan from the original negative to deliver a sharp and crisp image despite the film’s inherently grungy and exploitative aesthetic. The presence of natural film grain is pronounced, with night shots exhibiting more graininess compared to daylight sequences. The colors are distinctly warm with an orange/gold tint, enhancing the film’s gritty, early 80s cinematography. Details are rendered with notable clarity, making sets and costumes appear much more vivid than in previous transfers. Signage, neon lights, and brightly colored outfits pop against dimly-lit backgrounds, adding depth and richness to both street scenes and interior settings. Minor issues such as occasional scratches and speckling were noted but did not detract from the overall experience.

Technically, the Blu-ray employs an AVC encoded image within a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, housed on a BD-50 disc. Depth and dimensionality are commendable, providing a sense of spacing between actors and their environments. The transfer handles black levels exceptionally well, maintaining detail in darker scenes without significant crushing. The film’s seedy environment is conveyed effectively through a robust color palette, with grimy hues and vibrant flashes, particularly among fabrics and signage. Flesh tones are consistent and natural throughout, permitting fine details like wrinkles, make-up strokes, and bruises to stand out with impressive clarity.

In conclusion, this new 4K transfer breathes fresh life into "Vice Squad," managing to preserve its gritty roots while offering a cleaner, more detailed viewing experience. Minor debris adds a touch of nostalgic charm without compromising the overall enhancement. Fans of the film will appreciate the improved texture, color reproduction, and depth, making this Blu-ray release a must-see for aficionados of vintage exploitation cinema.

The Blu-ray release of "Vice Squad" boasts a robust 2.0 Mono DTS-HD MA track, which, while not reaching reference quality, delivers an engaging and effective audio experience. The soundtrack exudes significant intensity and accurately retains the gritty, ferocious atmosphere of the film. Dialogues come through clearly, even if they occasionally need slight boosting to ensure perfect intelligibility during particularly intense scenes. The musical score and effects are presented with commendable precision, with notable power in sequences involving car chases and gunshots — the latter delivering a surprisingly potent impact for a mono track.

The DTS-HD MA Mono track is as faithful to the original theatrical presentation as possible, balancing a range of audio elements well. Effects such as vehicle engines, punches, and slamming doors come through with ample impact, though the low end might leave some desiring more depth. Street sounds, police radios, and various ambient noises maintain a well-balanced mix, ensuring an immersive experience even within the constraints of a single channel. Despite its mono nature, the track manages to imbue the film with dynamic sound cues that enhance the overall viewing experience.

While a 5.1 audio mix could have provided an even richer soundscape, allowing effects to travel through multiple speakers for greater immersion, the 2.0 Mono track performs admirably. The score, especially Wings Hauser's rendition of "Neon Slime," benefits from enhanced clarity, adding a layer of gritty authenticity to the film's audio profile. Ultimately, this soundtrack remains powerful and effective, amplifying the suspense and action of "Vice Squad" masterfully.

The Blu-ray release of "Vice Squad" is a treasure trove for fans, packing an impressive 337 minutes of bonus material. Highlights include two audio commentaries—one featuring director Gary Sherman and producer Brian Frankish, and a solo commentary with Sherman. The six extensive interviews provide deep insights into the making of the film and its impact on the cast and crew. Notable segments include actor Gary Swanson recounting his method acting techniques and intense preparation for his role, and director Gary Sherman discussing the gritty realism he aimed to capture. Additional extras such as location retrospectives, promotional materials, and numerous TV and radio spots round out a robust package, offering a comprehensive look at the film's production and legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Audio Commentary: With director Gary Sherman and producer Brian Frankish.
• NEW Tracking the Beast: Interview with actor Gary Swanson.
• NEW Of Poltergeist and Neon Lights: Interview with director Gary Sherman.
• NEW Hollywood Magic: Interview with producer Brian Frankish.
• NEW The Roots of Reality: Interview with actress Beverly Todd.
• NEW Catching A Killer: Interview with actor Pepe Serna.
• NEW Princess Driver: Interview with actor Michael Ensign.
• NEW Hollywood Streetwalking: A look at the locations.
• Audio Commentary: With director Gary Sherman.
• Theatrical Trailer
• Radio Spots
• TV Spots
• Still Galleries: Includes poster and lobby cards, publicity stills, and the press kit.

"Vice Squad" (1982), directed by Gary Sherman, is a gritty exploration of Los Angeles's seedy underbelly, blending crime thriller elements with grindhouse aesthetics. The film centers on Princess (Season Hubley), a single mother and streetwalker who unwittingly becomes bait in a police operation to nab the violent pimp Ramrod (Wings Hauser). Officer Tom Walsh (Gary Swanson) drives the pursuit, hoping to imprison the grotesque villain. Despite its serious intentions, "Vice Squad" straddles the line between hard-hitting drama and unintentional comedy due to over-the-top performances, particularly from Hauser. The film’s depiction of police-prostitute dynamics and lurid activities among johns adds to its exploitative charm.

Despite its low budget, the film offers moments of unsettling realism, magnified by Sherman's use of actual Hollywood Boulevard backdrops. John Alcott's cinematography elevates the movie, capturing the neon-lit streets and alleyways in vivid detail, while Joe Renzetti’s score underscores the tension and sleaze. The relentless chase and instances of genre-typical violence—such as Ramrod’s ruthless physical abuse—give "Vice Squad" a memorable edge. Season Hubley's portrayal of Princess provides a grounding counterbalance, lending a touch of sympathy and realness amid the chaos.

"Vice Squad," though not a major commercial success, gained a cult following for its candid portrayal of crime and debauchery in the early '80s. The film's graphic violence, complemented by outrageous character performances and crude dialogue, embodies the exploitative grindhouse spirit. It functions effectively as both a snapshot of L.A.'s dark nightlife and an over-the-top revenge saga. The movie's engaging style and relentless pacing make it fitting for late-night viewings, appealing to fans of gritty crime dramas with an appetite for cheesiness and absurdity.

"Vice Squad" is a visceral exploitation flick that offers a gritty glimpse into the underbelly of 1980s Hollywood. The film, directed by Gary Sherman, features standout performances, particularly from Wings Hauser, whose over-the-top portrayal of Ramrod teeters on the edge of comedy. Despite its rough edges and occasional lapses into cheesiness, the film remains an engaging time capsule of its era, portraying the harrowing life of streetwalkers and the grimy world they inhabit. The movie’s 1.85:1 AVC aspect ratio brings the sleaziness to life, albeit in a sometimes raw manner, while the English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono audio provides an authentic, albeit limited, sound experience.

Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release elevates "Vice Squad" with a fantastic new 4K transfer from the original negative, ensuring that the movie looks and sounds better than ever. Additionally, the disc includes over six hours of brand-new special features, including interviews with key figures like Gary Sherman and Gary Swanson, though notable absences from Wings Hauser and Season Hubley were felt. Justin Beahm’s Reverend Entertainment does an excellent job in producing these extras, making them both insightful and highly entertaining for fans. This extensive collection of bonus content, combined with legacy material, positions this release as definitive.

Overall, "Vice Squad" is recommended for collectors and enthusiasts of grindhouse cinema. The combination of a high-quality transfer and abundant extras makes this Blu-ray a standout release. While the movie itself may be best approached with a sense of humor given its unintentional comedic moments, it still manages to deliver an authentic representation of a lawless Los Angeles. This Blu-ray edition is an essential addition to any cult film aficionado’s collection.