Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Blu-ray Review

David Lynch's "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" receives a remarkable Blu-ray presentation from Criterion, ensuring the film's haunting visual and audio essence is impeccably preserved. Presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC for a 1080p transfer, this release offers a meticulous digital restoration that honors Lynch's distinctive vision. The transfer, supervised by Lynch himself, was drawn from the 35mm original camera negatives, carefully scanned and restored in 4K resolution to achieve unparalleled image quality. Details, from the improved balance in darker scenes to the heightened clarity and vibrancy of daytime footage, are striking. Colors are more authentic, with healthier primaries and a broader range of nuances. Image stability remains excellent throughout, with no signs of digital manipulation detracting from the film’s intended aesthetic.

The restoration process extended to the film's 7.1 surround soundtrack, created using original 35mm magnetic stock stems and supervised by Lynch along with recording mixer Dean Hurley. This meticulous audio enhancement preserves the film’s original soundscapes while introducing a richer, more immersive listening experience. Notably, the restoration respects the film’s original mix, particularly in scenes like Partyland where music intentionally drowns out dialogue to convey an overwhelmingly loud environment, correcting past issues found in earlier mixes. The commitment to authenticity extends to minor details, such as the decision to maintain Agent Desmond’s disappearance scene with a fade-to-black, adhering to Lynch's revised vision rather than the original theatrical fade-to-white.

Critically acclaimed and considered a definitive edition, this Blu-ray release sets a benchmark for home video presentations of Lynch’s works. It maintains an impressive fidelity to the film’s visual and sonic identity as envisioned by Lynch, making it an essential acquisition for fans and newcomers alike. The lack of chapter stops, a common practice in Lynch’s video releases, underscores an intentional viewing experience designed to immerse viewers completely in the unique world of Twin Peaks.

This Blu-ray release of "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" features two primary audio options, English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, with the former being particularly noteworthy for its supervision by David Lynch himself. The 7.1 track offers a wide dynamic range that enhances the atmospheric sequences of the film, such as those set in the bar, showcasing the nuanced sound design Lynch's films are known for. Depth is significant and provides an auditory experience almost identical to its Region-B counterpart, despite a few instances of dynamic compression, likely an intentional aspect of the original sound design. This track is complemented by optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature, ensuring accessibility.

Comparisons reveal a correction of minor sync errors noted in previous releases, improving the overall quality of the experience. However, despite the 7.1 configuration, Lynch’s use of surround sound remains conservative, with music rather than sound effects occupying the surround channels and back surrounds offering minimal output. A notable aspect of Lynch's vision for this film's audio presentation is his directive for heightened volume levels, as exemplified in the Partyland nightclub scene where loud music intentionally obscures dialogue. This choice, faithful to the theatrical experience, differs from previous releases that adjusted dialogue levels for clarity, hence preserving Lynch's original dynamic intentions.

Regarding alternatives, the 2.0 track derived from the 35mm magnetic printmaster introduces a different auditory perspective, though it exhibits a slight hiss and generally lacks the clarity and detail of the 7.1 option in quieter scenes. An odd discrepancy noted is the variable presence of musical scores between tracks, indicating either an omission or attenuation in the 2.0 version. Despite these intricacies, the 7.1 track stands out for its fidelity to Lynch’s artistic intent and immersive quality, marking it as the preferred audio experience for this release.

The Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Blu-ray garners extra presentations that are a treasure trove for aficionados and novices alike, merging both previously available and newly curated content with meticulous fidelity. Of particular note is "The Missing Pieces," offering a compelling 92-minute journey through deleted and extended scenes, enriching the lore of Twin Peaks while respecting the core narrative focused on Laura Palmer. Criterion's edition shines with high-definition interviews, including insights from Sheryl Lee and Angelo Badalamenti, who offer personal reflections and fascinating anecdotes about their experiences and creative processes behind the scenes. Meanwhile, the actors' discussion, moderated by David Lynch, adds depth to the cast's collaborative spirit. The inclusion of trailers provides a glimpse into the film's marketing history, though some may reveal too much for newcomers. However, the absence of certain retrospective featurettes and the photo gallery noted in previous editions is felt, underscoring Criterion's selective approach to curating special features that align with Lynch's enigmatic vision.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailers: A collection of promotional trailers for the film.
• The Missing Pieces: Deleted scenes and alternate takes assembled by David Lynch.
• Interviews with Sheryl Lee and Angelo Badalamenti: New interviews conducted exclusively for Criterion.
• Actors' Discussion: A conversation featuring David Lynch, Sheryl Lee, Grace Zabriskie, and Ray Wise.
• Leaflet: An illustrated leaflet featuring an interview with David Lynch.

David Lynch’s cult classic "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" makes a deeply immersive foray into the Blu-ray domain, courtesy of Criterion, spotlighting Lynch's prequel to his groundbreaking TV series. The release is packed with enriching supplemental features, including a collection of deleted scenes handpicked by Lynch himself, insightful video interviews with pivotal individuals like actress Sheryl Lee and composer Angelo Badalamenti, and an informative leaflet featuring an interview from Chris Rodley’s Lynch on Lynch. This Blu-ray edition serves as a comprehensive homage to the film, enhanced by original trailers and equipped with optional English SDH subtitles, ensuring an engaging experience for both auditory and visual senses. Despite its Region-A lock, this iteration is a collector's delight, underlining the Criterion's commitment to preserving cinematic artistry.

"Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" is presented as an audacious exploration of darkness and enigma, dwelling deeper into the haunting narrative that precedes the misfortunes of Laura Palmer. Departing significantly from its TV series counterpart in tone and structure, the film delves into an odyssey of chaos and confusion, shedding light on the unsettling realities of Palmer’s life through Lynch's distinct lens. Unlike the cyclic nature and character depth afforded by the serial format, the film's portrayal comes across as a sequence of intense hallucinations tied together by familiar faces but lacking a unified message. Despite its controversial reception at Cannes Film Festival in 1992 and initial negative critiques, the movie has garnered an appreciation over time, reflecting Lynch's prowess in navigating the intricate layers of beauty and grotesqueness.

While criticism surrounds its deviation from the TV series’ narrative finesse and cyclic storytelling, this work stands as a testament to Lynch’s unparalleled ability to juxtapose allure with horror. The Criterion collection not only revisits the film’s intricate tapestry but elevates it through a meticulously curated suite of features that deepen the viewer's understanding of Lynch's vision. Although some may argue about the redundancy of this release given its previous inclusion in the comprehensive "Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery" box set, Criterion's standalone edition justifies its existence through its artistic packaging and the archival worth of its bespoke supplements. Engaging yet polarizing, "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me," through this Criterion release, cements its status as a cult classic that continues to provoke thought and evoke emotional turmoil amongst its audience.

The Criterion edition of "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" seems to serve a niche interest, particularly for those enthusiasts who value individually packaged films or are keen on exclusive content. The release is notable for its sourcing from a 4K remaster, undertaken with the supervision of David Lynch himself, which assures a visual presentation of high caliber, further enhanced by engaging interviews with Sheryl Lee and Angelo Badalamenti. This addition to the Criterion Collection emphasizes quality in both picture and supplementary features, decidedly making it an attractive option for collectors and aficionados of Lynch's cinematic universe.

However, when evaluated against the Paramount/CBS Films Blu-ray from 2014, which included the film within the comprehensive box set of the original TV series, the Criterion edition's uniqueness comes under scrutiny. With an overlapping abundance of content—primarily the main film and over 90 minutes of deleted scenes, already available to fans—the primary motivations for opting for this newer release seem to hinge on the few extras it provides, such as the additional interviews and an alternate audio track. This begs the question of its value proposition, especially for those who have previously invested in the series' expansive Blu-ray compilations.

In conclusion, while the Criterion edition of "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" is technically commendable and serves as a testament to the ongoing relationship between Criterion and David Lynch, its essentiality is debatable. For newcomers to Lynch's work or for collectors drawn to the exclusive aspects and the pedigree of the Criterion label, it represents a worthwhile acquisition. However, for existing owners of the prior Blu-ray releases, particularly the comprehensive Paramount/CBS Films set, this edition might not justify a separate purchase unless motivated by completism or by the specific new features it offers.