Grease Blu-ray Review

The 40th Anniversary Blu-ray release of "Grease" offers a commendable visual enhancement over the original 2009 release, benefiting from a meticulous 4K remastering. Paramount's effort, involving extensive clean-up and color correction from the original negative, manifests in a vibrant, dynamic viewing experience. Colors are notably bold and diverse, with the 1950s palette coming alive through well-saturated pink jackets, red cars, and various diner shades. While grain is subtly present without being intrusive, darker scenes do show occasional spikes. Black levels maintain impressive depth and accuracy, with minimal crush, ensuring the contrast is well executed.

The film is presented in a 2:40:1 aspect ratio, staying true to its 35mm origins. The clarity and detail are respectable, with environments appearing crisp and skin textures naturally complex. However, there are moments where softer focus edges and a slightly pasty look emerge, likely due to source material limitations. This release does not match the detail intimacy of the Ultra HD counterpart but achieves a faithful representation of the original film source. Print deterioration or significant encode anomalies are virtually absent, contributing to a clean, immersive visual.

A noteworthy distinction in this edition is the amplified color dynamics compared to the more subdued rendition of the 2009 Blu-ray. Some purists might find the added vibrancy at odds with the original cinematic experience, suggesting a bit of reinterpretation beyond just restoration. Yet, this enhancement does not haphazardly distort the image; no excessive digital noise reduction (DNR) scrubbing is evident, preserving the film's authentic texture. Despite some smoothing of details, which might be perceptible to keen observers, the overall upgrade in color and contrast ensures that this release provides a visually engaging revisit to the classic musical.

For the 40th Anniversary Blu-ray release of "Grease," Paramount has opted to enhance the audio experience by reworking the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack from an original six-track mix used for the 70mm print. While not fundamentally transformational, the new take is commendable in its faithful reproduction of the musical elements. The track leans front-heavy; however, musical numbers benefit from a satisfyingly rich and expansive soundstage. Particularly noteworthy is the American Bandstand segment in chapter 11, which showcases impressive instrumental clarity. Some immersion is achieved through active surround engagement, though it's subtle and might go unnoticed by less discerning ears. The soundtrack delivers enough stage presence to make sound effects like engine revs resonant significantly during critical scenes.

Dialogue clarity is generally well-maintained but experiences occasional flaws. For instance, some moments before the climactic race scene reveal instances of harsh and slightly garbled speech, detracting momentarily from an otherwise engaging audio experience. Despite this, the track overall contributes positively to the film's dynamic range, with notable LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) energy during certain numbers. The lossless English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track is complemented by a plethora of multilingual options, including 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks in German, Spanish (Castilian), French, Portuguese, and Italian, a 2.0 Dolby Digital Japanese track, and a mono Dolby Digital Spanish (Latin) track. Subtitles span an extensive variety of languages such as English, English SDH, and various European and Asian languages, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience.

In summary, while this release may not introduce groundbreaking changes, it adeptly serves the film’s nostalgic tone and musical vibrancy. There's a strong argument that even significant future upgrades like 7.1 or Dolby Atmos would not necessarily enhance the existing enchanting auditory experience.

The 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray of "Grease" presents a robust collection of extras, carrying forward much from the previous Rockin' Rydell release while introducing several new features. The DigiBook packaging is visually appealing with its textured, embossed faux-leathery cover, though the internal content is somewhat sparse. This edition includes essential memorabilia such as audio commentary, karaoke options, and insightful interviews, making it a comprehensive archive for longtime fans. Newly released materials, like the alternate animated main titles and a vivid look back at the original stage production in Chicago, add significant value. Each bonus supplement is presented in various formats with high attention to technical detail, providing a nostalgic yet informative experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Randal Kleiser and Choreographer Patricia Birch.
• Introduction by Randal Kleiser: Brief intro from the director.
• Rydell Sing-Along: Karaoke versions of film songs.
• The Time, The Place, The Motion: Featurette with cast and crew memories.
• Grease: A Chicago Story: Examination of the original Chicago stage production.
• Alternate Animated Main Titles: Rough demo of the unused main title sequence.
• Alternate Ending: Newly colorized alternate ending.
• Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes: A collection of 11 scenes introduced by Randal Kleiser.
• Grease Reunion 2002: Highlights from the DVD Launch Party.
• Grease Memories from John and Olivia: Reminiscences from the leads at the launch party.
• The Moves Behind the Music: Insights into the film’s dance numbers.
• Thunder Roadsters: Segment on classic cars inspired by the movie.
• John Travolta and Allan Carr Interview: Archival interview from 1978.
• Olivia Newton-John and Robert Stigwood Interview: Additional archival interview from 1978.
• Photo Galleries: Various collections of photographs related to the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for "Grease".

The 2018 re-release of Grease on Blu-ray marks a significant upgrade from the 2009 edition, commemorating the film's 40th anniversary. This re-release arrives in both DigiBook and SteelBook packaging, including notable companion films like Grease 2 and Grease Live. Filled with new video and audio presentations, it's an essential addition for fans. The film itself, which chronicles the romantic confusion of new Australian student Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and local greaser Danny (John Travolta) at Rydell High School, remains an entertaining blend of catchy tunes and poignant character dynamics. Despite its somewhat dated depiction of high school life filled with cliques and peer pressure, the core love story and musical numbers continue to shine.

Grease is widely celebrated for its infectious songs and dance sequences led by John Travolta, solidifying his transition from star to superstar. While the narrative may seem simplistic, focusing on themes like appearances and peer pressure, it is Travolta's performance and the exclusive movie songs such as "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "You're the One That I Want," that elevate the film beyond its stage origins. This anniversary edition also provides insightful bonus features about the movie’s journey from a Chicago stage production to a blockbuster musical, with revamped musical numbers added exclusively for the film.

Technically, this Blu-ray release is region-free and skillfully designed. The DigiBook resembles a Rydell High yearbook, packed with vibrant images and memories from the movie. Both the Blu-ray and DVD are presented on a dual-layer 50GB disc, providing a high-quality viewing experience. This updated edition ensures Grease remains a timeless classic, seamlessly blending engaging narrative elements with nostalgic musical highlights.

The 40th Anniversary edition of "Grease" on Blu-ray is a treat for fans, bringing a new 1080p transfer and an updated Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack. This re-release aims to capture the enduring charm and energy of one of cinema's most beloved musicals, enhancing the visual and audio experience. While the new transfer breathes fresh life into the film, showcasing vivid colors and crisp details, it is only a step behind its UHD counterpart, which delivers a superior picture quality.

The Blu-ray edition also comes with additional bonus materials, supplementing an already impressive collection from previous editions. These extras provide meaningful insights into the film’s production and legacy, making it a well-rounded package for enthusiasts and collectors alike. However, it is important to note that if viewers are set up for 4K, they may find the UHD version a better investment despite its lack of special packaging.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray release of "Grease" offers a significant upgrade over previous editions with its revitalized video and audio quality, those with 4K capabilities might be better served with the UHD edition. For any fans who cherish the movie but have yet to embrace 4K technology, this Blu-ray comes highly recommended as it combines nostalgic value with enhanced modern-day features, ensuring the film continues to captivate new audiences.