The 'Burbs Blu-ray Review

Shout Select's presentation of The 'Burbs features a new 2K scan of the interpositive, encoded in MPEG-4 AVC with an average video bitrate of 25998 kbps on a BD-50 disc. This release shows considerable improvement over Universal's 2016 Blu-ray and Arrow's 2014 UK SteelBook by delivering a sharper and more vibrant image, albeit with some recurring issues. Despite claims of uneven grain structure, the overall video quality is significantly enhanced, offering richer colors and sharper details. However, frequent viewers might note inconsistencies in grain, particularly in darker scenes and poorly-lit interiors, which can come across as erratic and inconsistent.

Daylight sequences are where this Blu-ray truly excels, offering excellent contrast and a warm color palette that enhances the film’s visual appeal. Crisp, brilliant whites, richly-saturated primaries, and healthier-looking facial complexions underscore the improved image quality. Black levels are accurate with commendable shadow details, although the contrast occasionally blooms in certain bright spots. Despite these minor issues, the visual experience is engaging and superior to previous releases. Fans will appreciate the natural grain layer that adds texture without overly distracting from the viewing experience.

This isn't the same as Arrow's newly-restored version supervised by Dante and cinematographer Robert Stevens, yet Shout Select's edition stands as a respectable competitor. With superior sharpness, detail, and better color delineation compared to previous transfers, Shout's release breathes new life into this dark comedy classic, making it a highly recommended upgrade for enthusiasts seeking the best possible home viewing experience of The 'Burbs.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "The 'Burbs" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, delivering an engaging and rich sonic experience. The transfer is sourced from an excellent master with no noticeable flaws, ensuring clarity and precision. Dialogue is clear throughout, though English SDH subtitles are useful during scenes involving the Klopeks due to their accents. The effects, including thunderbolts and explosions, benefit from impressive separation across the front channels, contributing to a lively soundstage. Jerry Goldsmith's diverse score is a standout, with organ crescendos and thematic parodies adding depth and variety. His orchestrations, nodding to Ennio Morricone’s work, are particularly well reproduced on the lossless mix.

Furthermore, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track showcases an expansive soundstage with consistently active imaging from the start. The differentiation between loud and quiet moments is impeccable, maintaining clarity in higher frequencies while delivering rich mid-tones. Ambient neighborhood sounds are effectively spread across the screen with fluid panning and precise vocal reproduction. The low-end response is ample, providing a significant weighty presence. Additionally, the track supports Dolby Surround and DTS: Neural:X up-mixing functionalities, enhancing the soundfield with atmospheric effects that bleed into the rear channels. The integration of the score in the front height channels results in discrete clarity and superb instrumental separation, elevating the overall audio experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The 'Burbs" offer a comprehensive and insightful look into the making of this cult classic, featuring a variety of high-definition and standard-definition content. The audio commentary with writer Dana Olsen, moderated by Calum Waddell, delves into plot intricacies and production nuances. New interviews with director Joe Dante, editor Marshall Harvey, and cinematographer John Hora provide fresh perspectives on the film's lasting impact. The There Goes The Neighborhood feature-length documentary includes in-depth interviews with cast and crew members. An original workprint from Joe Dante’s archive includes deleted and extended scenes for dedicated fans. The alternate ending provides a unique twist different from the theatrical version. Additionally, two galleries of production stills and posters, as well as the theatrical trailer, round out this thorough set of supplements.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Writer Dana Olsen, Moderated by Author Calum Waddell: In-depth look at themes and production.
• Interviews with Director Joe Dante, Editor Marshall Harvey, and Cinematographer John Hora: Insights from key production figures.
• There Goes The Neighborhood: The Making of The 'Burbs: Comprehensive behind-the-scenes documentary.
• Original Workprint from Joe Dante's Archive: Includes deleted and extended scenes.
• Alternate Ending: Different take on the movie’s climax.
• Behind-the-Scenes Still Gallery: Collection of behind-the-scenes images.
• Stills and Posters Gallery: Promotional materials and production stills.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.

Joe Dante's cult classic "The 'Burbs" serves as a comically sharp social satire set within the idyllic confines of suburban America, tackling themes of paranoia and societal suspicion through a blend of suspense and satirical humor. Created under tight constraints following the WGA strike, the film features a script by Dana Olsen that was left incomplete, thus prompting significant actor improvisations. With Tom Hanks headlining as Ray Peterson, his role as an everyman delving into the strange happenings of his neighbor's house became one of the film's highlights. Despite an initial critical backlash, with comparisons to notorious box office flops such as "Ishtar," the film resonated with audiences, achieving notable success in its opening weeks and eventually solidifying its status as a beloved cult favorite.

Technically, "The 'Burbs" is masterfully framed to emphasize its thematic concerns. Suburban clichés abound from the opening Universal Studios logo zooming in on a perfectly manicured neighborhood, cementing the film's satirical lens on American suburbia. The mise-en-scène, enhanced by Robert M. Stevens' cinematography, weaves a dominant motif of unbridled imagination and Cold War-era distrust, significantly contributing to the eerie atmosphere. The nuanced performances by supporting actors like Corey Feldman, Bruce Dern, and Rick Ducommun ground the fantastical tale in relatable suburban experiences, while the menacing Klopek family—portrayed with eerie precision by Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore, and Courtney Gains—provides an unsettling counterpoint that expertly balances horror and comedy.

Moreover, "The 'Burbs" navigates the fine line between humor and horror without undermining its narrative integrity. Joe Dante's direction retains a tight balance, delivering a film that tickles while it terrifies, ensuring that both elements work harmoniously. This duality is one reason why "The 'Burbs" has endured over the years, gaining appreciation for its insightful commentary on suburban hysteria and its clever use of genre tropes.

"The 'Burbs," directed by Joe Dante, remains a timeless comedic exploration of suburban paranoia and community dynamics, with an undercurrent of Cold War anxieties. This satirical classic features Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, and Bruce Dern in a narrative that humorously exposes the fears of a homogenous society confronting outsiders. Shout Select's Collector's Edition Blu-ray impresses with its high-quality remastered picture fidelity and consistent audio presentation, perfectly preserving the film's original charm and technical excellence.

The Collector's Edition supplements the viewing experience with approximately forty minutes of new interviews and an intriguing set of archival image galleries. Notably, it also includes the UK audio commentary, a retrospective documentary, the complete workprint, and an alternate ending, all providing substantial value for collectors. Comparatively, while the Universal BD edition is surpassed in multiple regards, aficionados may still lean towards Arrow's version for superior image quality alongside its exclusive music/effects track and booklet.

Nearly thirty years after its theatrical run, The 'Burbs remains a humorous portrait of the growing dissidence in dealing with different neighbors within a heterogeneous community. If you own any of the other Blu-rays of the film, I think that Shout Select's Collector’s Edition is worth picking up, although look for it on discount. It offers nearly forty minutes of new interviews and has a couple of nice archival image galleries. It definitely vaults ahead of the Universal BD. Shout also duplicates the UK audio commentary, retrospective doc, the complete workprint, and alternate ending. For image quality, I would go with the Arrow (and do note that it also has an exclusive music/effects track and booklet). For fans of Joe Dante, Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, and Bruce Dern, the Shout Select earns a VERY HIGH RECOMMENDATION.